David Savastano, Editor05.15.17
During his 28 years in the ink industry, Luigi Ribaudo, purchasing manager, Sun Chemical, has had the opportunity to work with three different groups within the company, learning from many purchasing leaders.
“I have had the good fortune to work within three different entities of Sun Chemical, starting with Graphic Color, then Kohl & Madden and now Sun Chemical,” said Ribaudo. “With each entity having somewhat different businesses, I was given the opportunity to grow and learn much more than I ever could have were I to have remained in one place. I have had the pleasure to work alongside many talented people within the Sun Chemical family as well as within the overall industry, and consider many of them to be more than just colleagues, but friends as well.”
Ribaudo first joined the ink industry in 1989, and quickly moved into purchasing.
“I started in this business in 1989 with Graphic Color Corporation in Elk Grove Village after applying for a position as a plant manager when Russ McNeil said I would make a good procurement guy instead,” he recalled.
In 1995, Sun Chemical acquired Graphic Color, and Ribaudo moved to Kohl & Madden, one of Sun Chemical’s subsidiaries, and then to Sun Chemical.
In addition to McNeill, Ribaudo added that Ken Collins, Josephine Fioravanti and Corey Soeldner have been some of the key professional influences in his life.
Soeldner, who is VP procurement North America for Sun Chemical, said he was very pleased to hear that Ribaudo was one of the recipients of this year’s NAPIM Pioneer Award.
“It is well deserved, as Luigi is a very dedicated individual to the ink industry as well as a valuable employee to Sun Chemical,” noted Soeldner. “His many years of experience and contribution has helped facilitate the growth and transformation of the business through his daily involvement at Sun Chemical as well as participation in many of the industry functions and committees. This adds to his coveted awards profile, which includes the CPIPC President’s Award in 2010 and 2012, and the Ink Person of the Year in 2015.”
Ribaudo is particularly active in the Chicago Printing Ink Production Club (CPIPC). He was a member of the CPIPC’s board from 2003-2007, serving as president in 2007, and serves as chairman of the Membership and Christmas Party committees. The CPIPC awarded him the President’s Award in 2010 and 2012 and he was awarded Ink Person of the Year in 2015, and he also received the Certificate of Appreciation from the Lithographers Club of Chicago in 2005.
“I joined the CPIPC in 2003, and became president in 2007,” he said. “It brings a lot to the industry. It’s important – it is an opportunity to work together with colleagues.”
Outside of work and the CPIPC, Ribaudo enjoys family life with Josephine, his wife of 31 years, and their two young adult daughters. He also enjoys cycling and working out in general.
Ribaudo said that he is very appreciative to be selected for the Pioneer Award.
“Considering all of the past as well as present recipients of this award, I feel extremely honored to be in their company,” Ribaudo concluded.
“I have had the good fortune to work within three different entities of Sun Chemical, starting with Graphic Color, then Kohl & Madden and now Sun Chemical,” said Ribaudo. “With each entity having somewhat different businesses, I was given the opportunity to grow and learn much more than I ever could have were I to have remained in one place. I have had the pleasure to work alongside many talented people within the Sun Chemical family as well as within the overall industry, and consider many of them to be more than just colleagues, but friends as well.”
Ribaudo first joined the ink industry in 1989, and quickly moved into purchasing.
“I started in this business in 1989 with Graphic Color Corporation in Elk Grove Village after applying for a position as a plant manager when Russ McNeil said I would make a good procurement guy instead,” he recalled.
In 1995, Sun Chemical acquired Graphic Color, and Ribaudo moved to Kohl & Madden, one of Sun Chemical’s subsidiaries, and then to Sun Chemical.
In addition to McNeill, Ribaudo added that Ken Collins, Josephine Fioravanti and Corey Soeldner have been some of the key professional influences in his life.
Soeldner, who is VP procurement North America for Sun Chemical, said he was very pleased to hear that Ribaudo was one of the recipients of this year’s NAPIM Pioneer Award.
“It is well deserved, as Luigi is a very dedicated individual to the ink industry as well as a valuable employee to Sun Chemical,” noted Soeldner. “His many years of experience and contribution has helped facilitate the growth and transformation of the business through his daily involvement at Sun Chemical as well as participation in many of the industry functions and committees. This adds to his coveted awards profile, which includes the CPIPC President’s Award in 2010 and 2012, and the Ink Person of the Year in 2015.”
Ribaudo is particularly active in the Chicago Printing Ink Production Club (CPIPC). He was a member of the CPIPC’s board from 2003-2007, serving as president in 2007, and serves as chairman of the Membership and Christmas Party committees. The CPIPC awarded him the President’s Award in 2010 and 2012 and he was awarded Ink Person of the Year in 2015, and he also received the Certificate of Appreciation from the Lithographers Club of Chicago in 2005.
“I joined the CPIPC in 2003, and became president in 2007,” he said. “It brings a lot to the industry. It’s important – it is an opportunity to work together with colleagues.”
Outside of work and the CPIPC, Ribaudo enjoys family life with Josephine, his wife of 31 years, and their two young adult daughters. He also enjoys cycling and working out in general.
Ribaudo said that he is very appreciative to be selected for the Pioneer Award.
“Considering all of the past as well as present recipients of this award, I feel extremely honored to be in their company,” Ribaudo concluded.
