Addison, IL - in a black-tie awards banquet at the Doral Resort and Spa, Miami, Florida, the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM) bestowed on John Copeland, division president of Toyo Ink America's Printing Ink Division, one of its 2011 Printing Ink Pioneer awards.  The honor recognizes industry leaders for their years of service to their companies and the industry.  

"John is very deserving of this award," said Mamoru Sasajima, president, Toyo Ink International Corp., the parent company of Toyo Ink companies in the Americas.  "He is always willing to volunteer his time and efforts and has been a tremendous representative of our industry.  I'm glad that the industry has recognized him with the Pioneer Award for his many contributions."

Copeland's service in the ink industry began in 1978, when he began working as a lab technician for Sinclair & Valentine. He held positions of increasing responsibility at S&V, and joined Handschy Industries, where he worked in several capacities, including technical, sales and manufacturing, including serving as technical director of paste inks prior to joining Toyo Ink America.

He joined Toyo Ink America in 2003 as vice president of operations.  Copeland was promoted to executive vice president and COO in 2006, and to president in 2007, before being named division president, Printing Ink Division, Toyo Ink America, LLC in 2010. In his new role, Copeland is involved in integrating the fluid ink and polymers businesses of its sister-subsidiary Toyo Ink Technologies, LLC, and merging them with Toyo Ink America's existing commercial printing inks operation.

"I'm honored to receive the NAPIM Printing Ink Pioneer award and to be among such distinguished recipients," Copeland said.  "I am blessed that I have had the opportunity to work in an industry that I truly enjoy, and work with so many outstanding people throughout my career."

Copeland has been active in a number of organizations allied with the ink industry. He has been a long-time supporter of the Chicago Printing Ink Production Club, and was selected as its Inkmaker of the Year in 2006.  He is also a member of the Board of Directors for NPES, The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies, as well as an Editorial Advisory Board member for Ink World.

Copeland has served NAPIM for many years. He has been a member of the NAPIM Board of Directors since 2006, and is presently serving on the NAPIM Executive Board as the Treasurer of NAPIM, a post he has held since 2009.  He also volunteers his time on NAPIM committees.

NAPIM is a trade association whose purpose is to provide information and assistance to its members to better manage their businesses, and to represent the printing ink industry in the United States.