Who are the Equipment Experts?

Behind every efficient recycling program is the right equipment—and the experts who keep it running. At FV Recycling, a dedicated team of specialists supports everything from baler installations to ongoing maintenance, helping businesses reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and scale their operations with confidence.

Meet Tommy Griffin and the Team Behind FV Recycling’s Field Operations

For companies new to working with FV Recycling, the focus often starts with commodities such as cardboard and plastics, along with the logistics of moving material. But behind those programs is a critical capability that drives performance.

FV’s nationwide team of equipment specialists designs, maintains, and optimizes the systems that keep recycling operations efficient, reliable, and scalable.

Leading that effort is Tommy Griffin, Senior Operations Manager, who oversees FV Recycling’s equipment and compaction division. While Griffin is quick to credit the technicians in the field, the growth of this team reflects how important equipment expertise has become to the company’s service model.

From Support Function to Strategic Capability

Just a few years ago, equipment support within FV Recycling was relatively small. It functioned more as a customer service extension than a standalone business unit.

“When I first came here, we had about two technicians handling equipment repairs and maintenance,” Griffin explains.

Today, that team has expanded significantly as FV Recycling has grown through acquisitions and expanded services across the Southeast and Midwest. The division now includes more than a dozen technicians and dedicated administrative support staff, allowing the company to support customers across multiple regions.

This growth reflects a larger shift. As recycling operations have become more complex and equipment more critical to performance, FV has invested in building a deeper, more specialized team.

The Experts Behind the Machines

FV’s equipment team handles far more than basic repairs. Their responsibilities include:

• Installing balers, compactors, and other recycling equipment
• Performing preventive maintenance and emergency service
• Coordinating transportation and installation of machines
• Managing equipment leasing programs
• Supporting customers with upgrades and operational improvements

In many cases, the equipment team is the first call when a recycling operation slows down.

“Our technicians are great in hydraulics, PLCs, cylinder repairs—everything from installation to troubleshooting,” Griffin says.

What sets the team apart is its collaborative culture. Technicians across regions regularly share knowledge and troubleshoot complex issues together, ensuring faster and more effective problem-solving in the field.

Experience That Customers Can Feel

The equipment group also includes key behind-the-scenes coordinators who keep operations running smoothly.

Griffin highlights Anita Bobo, an administrative leader who schedules technicians, coordinates vendors, prepares estimates, and ensures service requests are handled quickly.

“She’s the quarterback of this team,” Griffin says. “Our guys are on the road early, and she’s already working to make sure they have what they need.”

This operational backbone allows technicians to focus on what matters most: solving problems at the customer’s facility.

Solutions for Every Size Operation

The team supports everything from small retail balers used by grocery stores to large industrial systems costing hundreds of thousands of dollars in manufacturing environments.

In fact, Griffin notes that roughly 75–80% of equipment in the field consists of vertical cardboard balers commonly used by grocery stores and retail chains.

Beyond that, FV also installs:

• Horizontal balers
• Compactors
• Conveyors
• Shredders
• Other specialized recycling equipment

This range allows FV Recycling to tailor equipment solutions to each customer’s specific operation and scale.

A Team Built on Service

If there is one theme Griffin emphasizes, it’s the people behind the equipment.

“It’s truly all about the people,” he says. “We’ve got an experienced, dedicated team that will travel wherever they’re needed to keep customers running.”

What has changed in recent years is how that team supports customers in the field.

“What used to be a basic service function has grown into a much more capable, coordinated operation,” Griffin explains. “Today, we’re able to support customers with faster response times, more technical expertise, and solutions that scale with their business.”

This evolution reflects a broader shift across FV Recycling. Equipment is no longer just about fixing problems—it’s about preventing them, optimizing performance, and helping customers run more efficient and reliable recycling operations.

For customers, that means fewer disruptions, better uptime, and a partner who understands how equipment decisions impact the entire operation—not just the machine itself.

Often, these experts are the hidden force keeping recycling programs productive and performing at their best every day.

Have Equipment Questions?

If you’re evaluating a baler, compactor, or other recycling equipment for your operation—or wondering whether your current setup could be working more efficiently—FV Recycling’s equipment specialists are here to help.

Contact our team today to discuss your equipment needs, schedule a consultation, or learn how the right equipment solution can improve your recycling program.