PARAMUS, N.J., MAY 12, 2004 – James E. Hammer, president and chief executive officer of Hammer Lithograph Corp., Rochester, N.Y., has been named the 2004 Sheetfed Executive of the Year by the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) and the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF) / Printing Industries of America (PIA). The award will be presented to Hammer during the annual GATF/PIA • NAPL Sheetfed Pressroom Conference in Chicago, at a special luncheon sponsored by Heidelberg USA on Tuesday, June 15. Hammer is the 10th recipient of the award, created to honor a sheetfed industry leader who has demonstrated exceptional service, initiative, and commitment to his or her community, company, and the sheetfed printing industry. “Jim’s vision and leadership have been fundamental to the success of Hammer Lithograph,” said Tina Beauchemin, Marketing Planner for Hammer Lithograph Corp., who nominated Hammer for the award. “He brings the same level of energy to his many industry and community activities—all of which uniquely qualify him for this honor.” Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Drake College, Hammer joined Hammer Lithograph in 1969 in Sales and Customer Service, and was promoted to vice president in 1975 and president and CEO in 1983. Throughout his distinguished career, he has embodied the principles valued by the Sheetfed Executive of the Year Award judging committee, including a high level of trade involvement, the implementation of new technology, ongoing support of educational programs, and a commitment to community service. Hammer’s commitment to implementing cutting edge technology is reflected in every aspect of Hammer Lithographic, a high quality, multicolor sheet fed offset printer of labels, box wraps and premium packets for consumer products. In addition to investing in the latest technology and equipment to maximize internal efficiencies (six of the company’s seven presses are less than seven years old), Hammer leverages technology to provide solutions for key customers, including a Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) order system developed in-house that links the company with key customers. Hammer established an in-house R&D department, which has developed numerous new printing techniques and processes. Promoting a quality culture in every department, the company is ISO 9001:2000 Registered. An advocate of ongoing education, Hammer requires every company employee to complete 16 hours of in-house and offsite training each year. He has cooperated with the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) on a number of educational initiatives, including the Printers Boot Camp, an intensive two-week program co-developed by Hammer and RIT, in which select groups of candidates (six of whom were hired by Hammer) learn about the industry. As part of his long record of industry involvement, Hammer has served as president of the Label Printing Industries of America and is a member of NAPL, GATF-PIA, and many other industry associations. The recipient of numerous industry and business awards, Hammer was an honoree in the Rochester Business Journal’s “Fifty Over 50” awards and was named as a finalist for the Small Business Person of the Year Award. Hammer and his family have been active supporters of charitable causes in the Rochester community for many years. Currently, Hammer serves on the Board of the Mary Cariola Children’s Center, chairs its Governance Committee, donates the proceeds of charitable events to the Center, and recruits other local business leaders to support its activities. He devotes time and resources to numerous other community and charitable groups, including Quad A for Kids; St. Joseph’s Villa; Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Secret Santa Toy Donation; and Junior Achievement.