Jonathan Ellaby, Vice President of International Operations for INX International Ink Co., was honored March 27 at the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM) convention with a Printing Ink Pioneer Award.  NAPIM’s 96th annual convention was held in Palm Springs, California, and the award signifies grateful recognition of long and meritorious service to the printing ink industry.

Jonathan has split time between the United States and his home country of England, as well as a short stint in Australia, over a 40-year career.  His first job as a young laboratory technician in the liquid division with Coates Brothers in England led to an opportunity with the company in the U.S. in 1979.  Three years later in 1982, he joined Acme Printing in Charlotte, North Carolina, which later became part of INX International after it was one of Sakata INX’s early acquisitions in North America.

After seven years as a branch manager with Acme while concentrating on the metal decorating side of the business, Jonathan was lured back to Coates in 1989 with an attractive opportunity in Australia.  But in 1992 he rejoined INX and was tasked with the start-up of the company’s first international facility in Europe, which was close to his hometown in England.  Various promotions over the years led to numerous accomplishments both overseas and in the U.S.

Today, Jonathan manages an international operation that produced record sales in 2011.  He currently is overseeing construction of INX International UK Ltd’s., new manufacturing facility in Heywood, England.  When it is completed in 2013, the 40,000 square foot building at Hareshill Business Park will be 75 percent larger than the current location in Rochdale.

“Throughout his career at INX, Jonathan has thrived on traveling around the world and growing the business.  Each time he was asked to take on bigger roles he succeeded,” said Rick Clendenning, President and CEO of INX International Ink Co. 

“Jonathan has the technical expertise and owns the right skills to assemble great teams that place a high value on customer service.  It’s been my pleasure to not only work with Jonathan but to know him and his lovely wife, Sandie, for over 30 years.  He’s certainly very deserving of this prestigious award from NAPIM.”

INX International Ink Co. is the third largest producer of inks in North America with over 20 facilities in the U.S. and Canada, and is a global supplier as part of Sakata INX worldwide operations.  For more information, visit the Web site at www.INXinternational.com or contact Bob Wolff at The Drucker Group: 312.867.4960.