Printing industry veteran will launch SGIA's Supplier and Manufacturer Advisory Council

Fairfax, Va. – The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) is pleased to announce James Martin has come on board as Executive Vice President, Supplier and Manufacturer Relations. In this capacity, Martin will also serve as Executive Secretary of the soon-to-be-launched Supplier and Manufacturer Advisory Council.

Martin has a long history in the printing industry including more than 20 years with Heidelberg as Senior Vice President, Marketing and Product Management; more recently, he has served as CEO of MBO America. His experience with trade shows and associations is extensive, as is his knowledge of the concerns facing suppliers across many of the markets served by SGIA, the SGIA Expo and PRINTING United, which launches in October 2019.

“I’ve spent my life in the printing industry and have seen a lot of changes and challenges, but no other time over the past several decades has seen so much change and so many opportunities as the current moment. I am excited to be a part of this at a level where my background and understanding can help the broadest range of industry players,” Martin said.

SGIA’s establishment of a Supplier and Manufacturer Advisory Council is an extension of its commitment to serve its more than 1,000 supplier members by defining programs, strategies and tactics that will enable them to prosper in a rapidly-changing market. The council will focus on areas including trade show strategy, research, educational programs, association policies, government affairs and advocacy, and partnerships with like-minded organizations.

SGIA President & CEO Ford Bowers said, “Suppliers and manufacturers are critical to the health of the industry, and therefore, it’s important for us to serve this community as we do the printers we serve, striving to make the printing industry as successful and vibrant as possible.”

“James Martin, as a long-time industry executive, has extensive experience grappling with the complex decisions that are made every day by suppliers and manufacturers. Few are as qualified to speak with his understanding and authority on the challenges facing the supplier community,” Bowers added.

Martin begins his official duties this week and will be forming the Supplier and Manufacturer Advisory Council in the coming months to give a strong voice to suppliers and manufacturers in the work of the association and in the ongoing development of PRINTING United as the premier industry trade show for printing in North America.