Dave Savastano, Editor05.20.15
After receiving her chemistry degree in India, Sumathy Ganesh, technical manager for Toyo Ink America, came to the U.S. Through a staffing agency, she took a job as a lab technician for The Ink Company in Northbrook, IL. Although Ganesh was a novice to the printing ink field, her chemistry background helped her learn the different facets of printing ink production and its applications.
Today, 30 years later, Ganesh has worked her way up through three different companies. Ganesh has traveled to several countries around the world to participate in trade shows, conventions, training and customer visits, and she received the Chicago Printing Ink Club’s Ink Maker of the Year Award in 2009. She finds it has been a challenging and rewarding experience working in the ever-changing printing ink industry. Even with all of her accomplishments, she is still surprised to have received the Pioneer Award.
“I am surprised, honored and awed,” she said. ““I am proud to have become the technical manager for a global company after having started out as an entry-level lab technician. Considering all of the outstanding individuals who have received this award over the years, to be listed among them is absolutely awesome. I am both humbled and proud.”
Ganesh is thankful for the many people who have influenced her career.
“Ragy Ishak is the lab manager who hired me into The Ink Company and gave me the basic understanding about printing ink formulation,” she said. “George Tholke, who was the president of The Ink Company at that time, gave me a great sense of being an important and valued contributor despite being so new to the field. He was always personally interested in my development and I have kept in touch with him to this day. John Copeland, now President/COO of Toyo America, was my R&D manager while we worked together at Handschy, and he was instrumental in helping me establish my network within NAPIM. Last but not least, Isao Kameoka (manager for Toyo Ink Belgium) truly believed in me and gave me the freedom, encouragement and autonomy to keep developing new products on my own. All of these individuals had a profound influence throughout my career and I am grateful for their support.”
In her spare time, Ganesh enjoys gardening, doing crossword puzzles and watching Indian movies.
Ganesh’s colleagues are delighted she received the Pioneer Award.
“Sumathy has been involved with printing ink formulation, product development and R&D of printing inks for most of her 30-year career,” said John Copeland, president and COO of Toyo Ink America, LLC. “For many years Sumathy has supported both the NPIRI and NAPIM conferences. She is also a regular supporter of the Chicago Printing Ink Production Club, RadTech and various other printing associations. Sumathy is one of the hardest working and dedicated people I’ve had the privilege to work with. I can’t say enough good things about her as a person or an employee.”
“Sumathy is very dedicated to her work, starting everyday at 5:30 a.m.,” added Michael Keegan, VP paste ink sales. “She is a committed contributor who goes above and beyond the call of duty for perfection. She takes a great amount of pride in her work.”
Tony Isosaki, Toyo Ink America, LLC’s Wood Dale plant manager, said he has worked with Ganesh in the ink business for at least 30 years.
“We have worked together at two different ink companies; she has always been the best ink formulator of heatset, sheetfed (conventional and UV), and UV flexo and dry offset,” Isosaki added. “She will un-dauntingly pursue answers to ink problems and search for just the right raw materials to solve any ink issues. She has always been a good confidant, co-worker and friend.”
Today, 30 years later, Ganesh has worked her way up through three different companies. Ganesh has traveled to several countries around the world to participate in trade shows, conventions, training and customer visits, and she received the Chicago Printing Ink Club’s Ink Maker of the Year Award in 2009. She finds it has been a challenging and rewarding experience working in the ever-changing printing ink industry. Even with all of her accomplishments, she is still surprised to have received the Pioneer Award.
“I am surprised, honored and awed,” she said. ““I am proud to have become the technical manager for a global company after having started out as an entry-level lab technician. Considering all of the outstanding individuals who have received this award over the years, to be listed among them is absolutely awesome. I am both humbled and proud.”
Ganesh is thankful for the many people who have influenced her career.
“Ragy Ishak is the lab manager who hired me into The Ink Company and gave me the basic understanding about printing ink formulation,” she said. “George Tholke, who was the president of The Ink Company at that time, gave me a great sense of being an important and valued contributor despite being so new to the field. He was always personally interested in my development and I have kept in touch with him to this day. John Copeland, now President/COO of Toyo America, was my R&D manager while we worked together at Handschy, and he was instrumental in helping me establish my network within NAPIM. Last but not least, Isao Kameoka (manager for Toyo Ink Belgium) truly believed in me and gave me the freedom, encouragement and autonomy to keep developing new products on my own. All of these individuals had a profound influence throughout my career and I am grateful for their support.”
In her spare time, Ganesh enjoys gardening, doing crossword puzzles and watching Indian movies.
Ganesh’s colleagues are delighted she received the Pioneer Award.
“Sumathy has been involved with printing ink formulation, product development and R&D of printing inks for most of her 30-year career,” said John Copeland, president and COO of Toyo Ink America, LLC. “For many years Sumathy has supported both the NPIRI and NAPIM conferences. She is also a regular supporter of the Chicago Printing Ink Production Club, RadTech and various other printing associations. Sumathy is one of the hardest working and dedicated people I’ve had the privilege to work with. I can’t say enough good things about her as a person or an employee.”
“Sumathy is very dedicated to her work, starting everyday at 5:30 a.m.,” added Michael Keegan, VP paste ink sales. “She is a committed contributor who goes above and beyond the call of duty for perfection. She takes a great amount of pride in her work.”
Tony Isosaki, Toyo Ink America, LLC’s Wood Dale plant manager, said he has worked with Ganesh in the ink business for at least 30 years.
“We have worked together at two different ink companies; she has always been the best ink formulator of heatset, sheetfed (conventional and UV), and UV flexo and dry offset,” Isosaki added. “She will un-dauntingly pursue answers to ink problems and search for just the right raw materials to solve any ink issues. She has always been a good confidant, co-worker and friend.”