Schaumburg, IL – May 22, 2008 — Walk into virtually any supermarket and you will see them: rows and rows of retort food pouches and other flexible packaging displaying slick, eye-catching colors and graphics — packaging that has gained tremendous popularity across the U.S., as well as globally.

What you won’t see in supermarkets is the man behind many of those eye-catching graphics and laminated protection for shelf-stable food products: Mr. Hiroshi Ota, Chairman of INX International Ink Co. and Senior Managing Director of its Japan-based parent company, Sakata INX.

During nearly 20 years with Sakata’s R&D Group, where he became Chief Researcher in 1983, Mr. Ota began development work on resins for gravure lamination systems for food packaging.  The result — INX’ Lamiall, quickly established itself as the premiere laminating ink for multilayer packaging film.

Sent to the U.S. in 1986 in search of acquisitions (which ultimately led to the formation of INX International Ink Co.), one of Mr. Ota’s tasks in the 1990s was overseeing Lamiall’s successful deployment in the U.S. … an intensive process that involved market-specific testing, further R&D and product development in order to ensure its suitability for North American printing and product applications.

Recognizing more than four decades of distinguished service.

Such dedication and meticulous attention to detail are the hallmark of Mr. Ota’s 41-year career; Lamiall is merely one example.  And at the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers 92nd Annual Convention in April, NAPIM recognized Mr. Ota’s decades of accomplishment and industry service.

In a black-tie ceremony at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, Indian Wells, CA, the organization conferred upon Mr. Ota one of its 2008 Printing Ink Pioneer awards.

Along with his successful global management and product achievements for INX, the award presentation also noted Mr. Ota’s ongoing involvement in NAPIM and NPIRI (National Printing Ink Research Institute) activities … his support for broad-based INX management participation in these and related industry associations … and active roles while in Japan in the Japan Printing Ink Makers Association, Japan’s Flexographic Technical Association, and the Society of Color Material.

INX International Ink Co. is the third largest producer of inks in North America with over 30 plants in the U.S. and Canada, and is a global supplier as part of Sakata Inx worldwide operations. 

For more information, contact:    Bob Wolff at The Drucker Group  •  312.867.4960