David Savastano, Editor07.05.23
The Ault Award is the most prestigious award presented by the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM) and honors a member for dedication to the industry. John Hrdlick, retired president and CEO of INX International Ink Company, was honored with the 2023 Ault Award during NAPIM’s Annual Convention in Napa Valley, CA.
Hrdlick is no stranger to industry honors. He received NAPIM’s Printing Ink Pioneer Award in 2013, as well as the 2023 New York Printing Ink Association’s Anthony Mauriello Award for service to the industry. Still, he was surprised to receive this year’s Ault Award.
"Frankly, I was surprised and shocked,” Hrdlick said. “I had no idea it was going to be me. I went from shock to a feeling of deep appreciation for our industry and my peers. Retiring means leaving my INX family after 46 years, but now I realize I am also leaving my NAPIM family that has been just as supportive, especially the past 12 years. It’s a very humbling experience and is in the top three highlights of my career."
Hrdlick’s colleagues say he is very deserving of the Ault Award.
"I have known John for almost seven years after meeting him in the summer of 2016,” Peter Lockley, president of INX Europe, observed. “John has worked in the interests not only of INX, but for the wider ink industry. He's been personally active in NAPIM and IMDPA, and has encouraged INX employees to play their part around the world. He's enriched many people's lives and it's personally great to see him recognized."
"We immediately hit it off as his management style was similar to mine, but with a softer tone,” Jim Kochanny, SVP and COO of INX International, said. “He never makes rash decisions; instead, he listens to all sides and reviews the data before making a decision. Knowing that you gathered all the pertinent information, he would support you 100% every time.In my opinion, the Ault Award goes to those who went above and beyond to assure our industry continues to be successful. With John, it wasn't just about INX but the industry as a whole. He's a long term NAPIM member and has supported this organization and others throughout his tenure."
Acme would become part of INX International Ink in 1988, and Hrdlick moved up through the ranks over the years, from the lab to branch manager, vice president, senior vice president and COO, becoming president and CEO in 2018. He also served as a member of the INX Board of Directors.
"This last phase of my career started in 2018 and it began reasonably well, especially with a very strong year before the COVID pandemic and the supply chain crisis,” Hrdlick noted. “It was unprecedented in many, if not all, of our careers. We’ve been through downturns and supply issues in the past, but clearly not to the extent and effect of what we all experienced the past three years.
"I always knew my time in the new role would be limited based on my own goals,” he added. “It quickly became clear that my focus was to do what I could to help guide us through the difficult times. I’m really pleased that it appears the situation has settled down enough for us to move forward. I just turned 68 and this was always our plan, so I think I’m leaving on a good note."
"It has been quite a diverse ride coming up through the ranks and continually learning from everyone around me,” he observed. “I’m usually not the loudest or most vocal person in the room, but I’ve always listened to everyone and watched closely how they thought and acted. I can honestly say that everyone at INX and in our industry has left an impression on me, and helped me to try and be the best at whatever my role has been.
"We are in an industry that still provides unlimited opportunity to anyone who is not afraid to work hard and be patient,” Hrdlick added. “The industry itself will continue to evolve to even higher levels of challenges related to consolidations, environmental regulations, and sustainability demands, to name a few. Attracting good young people to a manufacturing environment is not going to get easier anytime soon.
"As an industry we need to automate and modernize our process as much as possible, and adapt to the changing culture around us as it relates to work. I’ve always said that we can’t manufacture our products from home so we need to make our industry a desirable option for the next generation. We are a relatively small industry, so working together through NAPIM will be the way to keep our future strong, rather than as individual companies," Hrdlick concluded.
Now that he is retiring, Hrdlick, his wife Dawn and their family are heading to North Carolina, where he has a number of hobbies lined up.
"There are a number of things I like to do but have not taken the time to make them a solid hobby, or at least make me reasonably proficient with them,” said Hrdlick. “Retirement will allow my wife and I to get reconnected with our kids and grandchildren in North Carolina. We will make Belmont our home base. Also, we will spend quality time at our getaway place in Beaufort, S.C. We enjoy spending extended time in the South Carolina low country.
"My hobbies will include some golf, fishing, learning to fly fish, crabbing, gardening and hopefully some boating in the South Carolina rivers and marshes,” added Hrdlick. “It’s also important for us to find a new home church where we can be involved and in our new community. In other words, we plan to stay busy but in different ways. I hope to stay connected with the industry through friends and on LinkedIn."
Hrdlick is no stranger to industry honors. He received NAPIM’s Printing Ink Pioneer Award in 2013, as well as the 2023 New York Printing Ink Association’s Anthony Mauriello Award for service to the industry. Still, he was surprised to receive this year’s Ault Award.
"Frankly, I was surprised and shocked,” Hrdlick said. “I had no idea it was going to be me. I went from shock to a feeling of deep appreciation for our industry and my peers. Retiring means leaving my INX family after 46 years, but now I realize I am also leaving my NAPIM family that has been just as supportive, especially the past 12 years. It’s a very humbling experience and is in the top three highlights of my career."
Hrdlick’s colleagues say he is very deserving of the Ault Award.
"I have known John for almost seven years after meeting him in the summer of 2016,” Peter Lockley, president of INX Europe, observed. “John has worked in the interests not only of INX, but for the wider ink industry. He's been personally active in NAPIM and IMDPA, and has encouraged INX employees to play their part around the world. He's enriched many people's lives and it's personally great to see him recognized."
"We immediately hit it off as his management style was similar to mine, but with a softer tone,” Jim Kochanny, SVP and COO of INX International, said. “He never makes rash decisions; instead, he listens to all sides and reviews the data before making a decision. Knowing that you gathered all the pertinent information, he would support you 100% every time.In my opinion, the Ault Award goes to those who went above and beyond to assure our industry continues to be successful. With John, it wasn't just about INX but the industry as a whole. He's a long term NAPIM member and has supported this organization and others throughout his tenure."
Career Achievements
For 49 years, John Hrdlick has worked in all facets of the ink industry, from theproduction floor and the labs to the board room. After a brief period at Sinclair & Valentine, he joined Acme Printing Ink in Milwaukee in 1978 as a third-shift worker.Acme would become part of INX International Ink in 1988, and Hrdlick moved up through the ranks over the years, from the lab to branch manager, vice president, senior vice president and COO, becoming president and CEO in 2018. He also served as a member of the INX Board of Directors.
"This last phase of my career started in 2018 and it began reasonably well, especially with a very strong year before the COVID pandemic and the supply chain crisis,” Hrdlick noted. “It was unprecedented in many, if not all, of our careers. We’ve been through downturns and supply issues in the past, but clearly not to the extent and effect of what we all experienced the past three years.
"I always knew my time in the new role would be limited based on my own goals,” he added. “It quickly became clear that my focus was to do what I could to help guide us through the difficult times. I’m really pleased that it appears the situation has settled down enough for us to move forward. I just turned 68 and this was always our plan, so I think I’m leaving on a good note."
Thoughts on the Ink Industry
During his 49 years in the ink industry, Hrdlick witnessed a lot of changes, and offered his thoughts on the industry’s future."It has been quite a diverse ride coming up through the ranks and continually learning from everyone around me,” he observed. “I’m usually not the loudest or most vocal person in the room, but I’ve always listened to everyone and watched closely how they thought and acted. I can honestly say that everyone at INX and in our industry has left an impression on me, and helped me to try and be the best at whatever my role has been.
"We are in an industry that still provides unlimited opportunity to anyone who is not afraid to work hard and be patient,” Hrdlick added. “The industry itself will continue to evolve to even higher levels of challenges related to consolidations, environmental regulations, and sustainability demands, to name a few. Attracting good young people to a manufacturing environment is not going to get easier anytime soon.
"As an industry we need to automate and modernize our process as much as possible, and adapt to the changing culture around us as it relates to work. I’ve always said that we can’t manufacture our products from home so we need to make our industry a desirable option for the next generation. We are a relatively small industry, so working together through NAPIM will be the way to keep our future strong, rather than as individual companies," Hrdlick concluded.
Now that he is retiring, Hrdlick, his wife Dawn and their family are heading to North Carolina, where he has a number of hobbies lined up.
"There are a number of things I like to do but have not taken the time to make them a solid hobby, or at least make me reasonably proficient with them,” said Hrdlick. “Retirement will allow my wife and I to get reconnected with our kids and grandchildren in North Carolina. We will make Belmont our home base. Also, we will spend quality time at our getaway place in Beaufort, S.C. We enjoy spending extended time in the South Carolina low country.
"My hobbies will include some golf, fishing, learning to fly fish, crabbing, gardening and hopefully some boating in the South Carolina rivers and marshes,” added Hrdlick. “It’s also important for us to find a new home church where we can be involved and in our new community. In other words, we plan to stay busy but in different ways. I hope to stay connected with the industry through friends and on LinkedIn."