The Printing Industry's Rising Star: Zach Griffin of Salem One

Editor's Note: The four individuals profiled in this series were named the 2026 Rising Stars due to their passion, their dedication, and the impact they’ve had on the printing industry. In this article, we present Zach Griffin, assistant plant manager at Salem One, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 

No two days look the same for Zach Griffin, who is the assistant plant manager of Salem One. And he prefers it that way. “Every day is a new day and we’re staying busy, so that’s a good thing,” Griffin says. Even the North Carolina winter weather that forced a two-day plant shutdown didn’t dampen his outlook. “The snow was cool,” he says, “but not in this business, it just sets you behind, that’s all it does.”

Griffin currently serves a key role at the company’s Charlotte operation, overseeing plant departments including printing, bindery, wide-format, fulfillment, and shipping and receiving. He shares that he has two main foci: operational flow and continuous improvement.

These efforts involve, “looking at the workflow through the plant and also continuous improvement of the plant,” he explains. “We’re always looking to see how we can make our plant better and look better at the same time. It’s important to keep a clean plant.”

For Griffin, that emphasis on cleanliness and organization is about more than simple neatness. He shares that when Salem One acquired the Charlotte facility, he helped lead its transformation. When Salem One began operations there — as the result of the acquisition — he says the place was cluttered and disorganized. “I filled up probably eight dumpsters of just machinery and stuff like that,” he recalls. “We painted all the walls, reorganized. We’ve got a new pack line coming in the next 15 days, so we’ve got a lot of cool stuff going on.”

His involvement in the Charlotte acquisition marked a major professional milestone for Griffin. After 18 years as a Salem One employee, he relocated to Charlotte and stepped into his current role. “It was something new, more challenging,” he says. “That’s why I took it.”

He says his career path is rooted in hands-on experience. He joined the Salem One team the day after graduating high school, starting as a press helper. “My uncle was a pressman at Salem One, and he got me on as his press helper,” he recalls. Over the next 13 years, Griffin worked in packaging, running folder/gluers and moving through bindery before transitioning into a role overseeing diecutting and folding-gluing.

Describing his education as unconventional but invaluable, Griffin says, “I tell everybody, I went to Salem One University. I came the day after high school, and that was 18 years ago. I learned it the long way, but I don’t think I’d do it any other way.”

While he respects formal education, Griffin believes trade skills and on-the-job learning are critical in printing and other manufacturing spaces.

A Growth mindset

Today, Griffin is pairing his hands-on production knowledge with formalized efforts in process.

Having earned his Lean Green Belt, he plans to deepen his expertise. “As I keep growing, I’d like to expand on these different manufacturing methods — 5S, 6S, Lean training, maybe get a Black Belt,” he says.

Beyond systems and equipment, Griffin believes people are the true differentiators of a good business. “If you don’t have good people to work with,” he explains, “you have no culture, and culture is everything.”

Griffin says mindset is an example of the broader culture at Salem One. “We’re one of the biggest printing companies in the Southeast, if not the United States,” he notes. “But we still treat everyone like family. The CEO and president come around every day and say good morning. We try not to treat everybody like they’re just a number.”

Demonstrating Quality

His pride in Salem One also extends to its commitment to quality. The company regularly earns top honors in regional printing competitions, Griffin says, and submits everyday production work rather than special-produced samples.

His excitement for the industry, Griffin explains, lies in its complexity. “There’s a chemistry of putting ink on paper, and there’s a process of making that paper flow through the plant. Every day there’s going to be a new challenge. If I think I’m going to come in here and it’s smooth sailing, then I’m wrong.”

And so, in his quest for quality, learning keeps him motivated. “When you stop learning, it’s time to quit,” Griffin says. “There’s no such thing as ‘you can’t learn anything else.’”

Looking ahead, Griffin envisions a long future with Salem One. “I’ve been with Salem One since I was 18. I’d like to retire with Salem One,” he says. His next goal is clear: “The next step is plant director. That’s my next step – to take over this facility.”

With his vast production experience, his “get it done” approach, and his strong drive for process, Griffin demonstrates the growth-driven mindset he champions. And there is always — always — the opportunity for improvement: “We’re not happy with where we’re at. We want to grow and be the best in the world at this.”