David Savastano, Editor04.26.23
The Metro New York Printing Ink Association (MNYPIA) honored John Hrdlick, president and CEO of INX International Ink Co., with its 20th Anthony Mauriello Award. Hrdlick was honored April 20, 2023 at a dinner held in his honor at Il Villagio in Carlstadt, NJ. Michael Brice served as the emcee.
“I’d like to thank the MNYPIA officers for honoring me with this very prestigious award,” said Hrdlick. “I never viewed myself in this group of people. I am very honored with this award.”
Michael Brice, VP sales and business development for INX, served as the emcee for the dinner. He spoke about Hrdlick’s journey to the head of INX.
“John started as a third shift mill worker and worked his way up to president and CEO of the third-largest ink company in America,” Brice said. “He’s a man of integrity – he led INX through the toughest times through the pandemic. John was able to lead INX and be a force in the industry.
“John touched the lives of every single person at INX,” Brice added. “John has been a mentor, a man of character integrity and leadership, and he’s a gentleman. The MNYPIA Anthony Mauriello Award honors a person for their exceptional commitment and service, and John is a perfect recipient of this award.”
“John is a class act, representing INX and our industry in the best way,” added Myron Petruch, Sun Chemical’s president and CEO.
Hrdlick began his career in the ink industry in 1974 with Sinclair Valentine Ink Company. He moved to Acme Printing in Milwaukee in 1977 as a third shift worker. Acme later became part of INX International when it was one of the first North American acquisitions made by Sakata INX. He learned the business from the ground up, transferring from the laboratory in Milwaukee to Charlotte and later to South Hampton, PA.
Hrdlick first became a branch manager in the early 1990s. In 1995, he was promoted to Southeast region manager before being named VP for the same region a year later. Another promotion occurred in 1999, this time as VP of the Sheetfed division, before he was transferred to INX headquarters in suburban Chicago in 2000.
Selected as VP of the Field Operations division in 2002, he was elected to the INX Board of Directors in 2008 and was elevated to SVP of field operations a year later. In 2010, he was handed the responsibility of overseeing INX operations in Canada. In April 2012, Hrdlick took over as COO. In 2018 he was named president and was named CEO in in 2019. He received the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM) Printing Ink Pioneer Award in 2013 and NAPIM's Ault Award, the most prestigious honor int he North American ink industry, in 2023.
Hrdlick spoke about his journey, offering advice to people starting in the ink industry.
“I’ve been in the ink industry for 49 years,” Hrdlick said. “My goal was always to do my best and good opportunities would come my way. You have to be patient and focus on the job you have. When you’re working for a good company, the opportunities will come.”
Hrdlick thanked the people he has met throughout his career, reserving special thanks for his family as well as Rick Clendenning, his mentor at INX.
“I have had a lot of help,” he noted. “I’ve learned something from e verybody I ever worked with – my INX colleagues, vendors and competitors. My wife Dawn and our kids have sacrificed to allow me to do what I do. Rick Clendenning was my mentor for more than 30 years. Rick was always supporting and encouraging me. This industry is small in the big picture, but we all work very hard. You can’t do this without camaraderie.”
“I’d like to thank the MNYPIA officers for honoring me with this very prestigious award,” said Hrdlick. “I never viewed myself in this group of people. I am very honored with this award.”
Michael Brice, VP sales and business development for INX, served as the emcee for the dinner. He spoke about Hrdlick’s journey to the head of INX.
“John started as a third shift mill worker and worked his way up to president and CEO of the third-largest ink company in America,” Brice said. “He’s a man of integrity – he led INX through the toughest times through the pandemic. John was able to lead INX and be a force in the industry.
“John touched the lives of every single person at INX,” Brice added. “John has been a mentor, a man of character integrity and leadership, and he’s a gentleman. The MNYPIA Anthony Mauriello Award honors a person for their exceptional commitment and service, and John is a perfect recipient of this award.”
“John is a class act, representing INX and our industry in the best way,” added Myron Petruch, Sun Chemical’s president and CEO.
Hrdlick began his career in the ink industry in 1974 with Sinclair Valentine Ink Company. He moved to Acme Printing in Milwaukee in 1977 as a third shift worker. Acme later became part of INX International when it was one of the first North American acquisitions made by Sakata INX. He learned the business from the ground up, transferring from the laboratory in Milwaukee to Charlotte and later to South Hampton, PA.
Hrdlick first became a branch manager in the early 1990s. In 1995, he was promoted to Southeast region manager before being named VP for the same region a year later. Another promotion occurred in 1999, this time as VP of the Sheetfed division, before he was transferred to INX headquarters in suburban Chicago in 2000.
Selected as VP of the Field Operations division in 2002, he was elected to the INX Board of Directors in 2008 and was elevated to SVP of field operations a year later. In 2010, he was handed the responsibility of overseeing INX operations in Canada. In April 2012, Hrdlick took over as COO. In 2018 he was named president and was named CEO in in 2019. He received the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM) Printing Ink Pioneer Award in 2013 and NAPIM's Ault Award, the most prestigious honor int he North American ink industry, in 2023.
Hrdlick spoke about his journey, offering advice to people starting in the ink industry.
“I’ve been in the ink industry for 49 years,” Hrdlick said. “My goal was always to do my best and good opportunities would come my way. You have to be patient and focus on the job you have. When you’re working for a good company, the opportunities will come.”
Hrdlick thanked the people he has met throughout his career, reserving special thanks for his family as well as Rick Clendenning, his mentor at INX.
“I have had a lot of help,” he noted. “I’ve learned something from e verybody I ever worked with – my INX colleagues, vendors and competitors. My wife Dawn and our kids have sacrificed to allow me to do what I do. Rick Clendenning was my mentor for more than 30 years. Rick was always supporting and encouraging me. This industry is small in the big picture, but we all work very hard. You can’t do this without camaraderie.”
