Dave Savastano, Editor05.20.15
When Robert O’Boyle completed active duty in the Army, he looked to bring his knowledge in chemicals to the business world. He quickly found a home in the ink industry, where he has thrived for more than 35 years, and the choice proved to be a good one for O’Boyle and the ink industry.
“After leaving active duty with the Army Chemical Corp., I started to look for full time employment,” said O’Boyle, product manager – coatings, Sun Chemical. “One of my mentors suggested I contact Reserve Chemical Officers in New Jersey to see if any were looking for chemists. Borden Inks in Fair Lawn answered the call, and that’s where I began my first two years in the industry. After an industry visit to the R&D labs at Sun Chemical, I was impressed with the facilities and applied for a job. I have been with Sun Chemical ever since.”
O’Boyle entered management fairly soon after joining Sun Chemical, first for R&D in publication gravure, and packaging was next. His management in R&D has led to many innovative water- and solvent-based inks for food and non-food packaging, has been instrumental in developing and advancing nanoparticle technology and has developed products that have advanced the science of printing inks and coatings.
“I became the manager of R&D for packaging,” he noted. “During this time, I was given the opportunity to staff and build an analytical lab in support of the packaging business, which was very successful. A number of methods were developed due to a great team.
“Due to Sun Chemical’s rapid growth globally, I was asked to act as the technology exchange manager for all of Sun Chemical,” O’Boyle added. “I traveled to all of Sun Chemical’s locations around the world, learning the ‘state-of-the art’ in various countries. It was an experience that I will always treasure. Recently, I moved into product management, taking on the responsibilities for all coatings in North America.”
A strong supporter of trade associations, O’Boyle is a member of several organizations, including the Flexible Technical Association (FTA), Technological Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) and the IoPP (Institute of Packaging Professionals).
O’Boyle said he has had many influences, beginning with his time in the Army.
“Col. Guthrie taught me much about leadership and provided many command opportunities in my time in the U.S. Army Reserve,” O’Boyle said. “Tony Bean, my first supervisor in the ink industry, was always patient and allowed me to expand the focus of the labs. Anthony Cappuccio taught me packaging and practical problem solving. Tony Renzi guided me through all the years and has been a great technical resource. A successful move from a purely technical role to a product manager was a difficult one accomplished primarily due to Charles Murray, who had faith in my abilities and mentored me along.”
Outside of work, O’Boyle is active in the Army Reserve and scouting, and he recently began a goal of visiting all of the national parks in the United States. “Carlsbad Caverns is on the list for 2015,” he added.
O’Boyle said he is “humbled” to receive the Pioneer Award.
“It is an award that I am humbled to receive,” O’Boyle said. “Many ‘pioneers’ work at Sun Chemical and I have had the pleasure of working for or with almost all of them. I am proud to have joined this elite group.”
O’Boyle’s colleagues say he is an excellent choice for the Pioneer Award.
“Bob has demonstrated exemplary leadership and made significant contributions to establish Sun Chemical as a technology leader in the markets that we serve,” said Charles Murray, president, North American Inks, Sun Chemical. “He is an active participant and leader in professional organizations that serve to advance the graphic arts and packaging industries. We are pleased that NAPIM has recognized Bob with the Pioneer Award. He is a very worthy recipient.”
“Bob’s technical expertise, coupled with his ability to talk to customers about their applications and processes, makes him a valuable contributor to the ink industry,” said Penny Holland, VP, marketing at North American Inks, Sun Chemical.
“Bob has spent his entire professional career bringing his creativity to ink product design and applications to the flexible packaging market,” added Renzi, who is VP, product management Packaging Inks, North American Inks, Sun Chemical.
“Given Bob’s extensive technical background in the industry, he has been key in differentiating Sun Chemical as the technology leader in our industry and is well deserving of this important recognition,” said Brendan Maunsell, regional manager, Sun Chemical. “Among his many talents, Bob possesses the ability to present technically complex issues in an easily understood manner.”
“After leaving active duty with the Army Chemical Corp., I started to look for full time employment,” said O’Boyle, product manager – coatings, Sun Chemical. “One of my mentors suggested I contact Reserve Chemical Officers in New Jersey to see if any were looking for chemists. Borden Inks in Fair Lawn answered the call, and that’s where I began my first two years in the industry. After an industry visit to the R&D labs at Sun Chemical, I was impressed with the facilities and applied for a job. I have been with Sun Chemical ever since.”
O’Boyle entered management fairly soon after joining Sun Chemical, first for R&D in publication gravure, and packaging was next. His management in R&D has led to many innovative water- and solvent-based inks for food and non-food packaging, has been instrumental in developing and advancing nanoparticle technology and has developed products that have advanced the science of printing inks and coatings.
“I became the manager of R&D for packaging,” he noted. “During this time, I was given the opportunity to staff and build an analytical lab in support of the packaging business, which was very successful. A number of methods were developed due to a great team.
“Due to Sun Chemical’s rapid growth globally, I was asked to act as the technology exchange manager for all of Sun Chemical,” O’Boyle added. “I traveled to all of Sun Chemical’s locations around the world, learning the ‘state-of-the art’ in various countries. It was an experience that I will always treasure. Recently, I moved into product management, taking on the responsibilities for all coatings in North America.”
A strong supporter of trade associations, O’Boyle is a member of several organizations, including the Flexible Technical Association (FTA), Technological Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) and the IoPP (Institute of Packaging Professionals).
O’Boyle said he has had many influences, beginning with his time in the Army.
“Col. Guthrie taught me much about leadership and provided many command opportunities in my time in the U.S. Army Reserve,” O’Boyle said. “Tony Bean, my first supervisor in the ink industry, was always patient and allowed me to expand the focus of the labs. Anthony Cappuccio taught me packaging and practical problem solving. Tony Renzi guided me through all the years and has been a great technical resource. A successful move from a purely technical role to a product manager was a difficult one accomplished primarily due to Charles Murray, who had faith in my abilities and mentored me along.”
Outside of work, O’Boyle is active in the Army Reserve and scouting, and he recently began a goal of visiting all of the national parks in the United States. “Carlsbad Caverns is on the list for 2015,” he added.
O’Boyle said he is “humbled” to receive the Pioneer Award.
“It is an award that I am humbled to receive,” O’Boyle said. “Many ‘pioneers’ work at Sun Chemical and I have had the pleasure of working for or with almost all of them. I am proud to have joined this elite group.”
O’Boyle’s colleagues say he is an excellent choice for the Pioneer Award.
“Bob has demonstrated exemplary leadership and made significant contributions to establish Sun Chemical as a technology leader in the markets that we serve,” said Charles Murray, president, North American Inks, Sun Chemical. “He is an active participant and leader in professional organizations that serve to advance the graphic arts and packaging industries. We are pleased that NAPIM has recognized Bob with the Pioneer Award. He is a very worthy recipient.”
“Bob’s technical expertise, coupled with his ability to talk to customers about their applications and processes, makes him a valuable contributor to the ink industry,” said Penny Holland, VP, marketing at North American Inks, Sun Chemical.
“Bob has spent his entire professional career bringing his creativity to ink product design and applications to the flexible packaging market,” added Renzi, who is VP, product management Packaging Inks, North American Inks, Sun Chemical.
“Given Bob’s extensive technical background in the industry, he has been key in differentiating Sun Chemical as the technology leader in our industry and is well deserving of this important recognition,” said Brendan Maunsell, regional manager, Sun Chemical. “Among his many talents, Bob possesses the ability to present technically complex issues in an easily understood manner.”