David Savastano, Editor05.20.19
Since he joined NAPIM in 1993, George Fuchs, NAPIM’s director of regulatory affairs and technology, is a driving force in the ink and allied industries, providing extraordinary service, support and guidance in the fields of safety, health and environmental and technology to the association’s member companies.
Throughout the years, Fuchs’ leadership on behalf of NAPIM and the ink and allied industries, whether it is in helping coordinate the annual conferences, representing the industry at various meetings or working with individual companies to provide advice on their individual needs, has been a benefit to all. His expertise in health, safety and environmental issues is highly regarded throughout the ink and printing industries. Fuchs’ knowledge of the byzantine regulatory and environmental rules is unequaled, and his ability to break these laws down into a format that is clear to all is very special.
“It is humbling and extremely gratifying,” Fuchs said of receiving the Pioneer Award. “Through NAPIM I’ve worked hard to promote and represent our industry to the best of my abilities. It is my sincerest hope that I’ve made a positive impact and meaningful contribution to its future success.”
“George has been a responsive and energetic guide to all things technical and regulatory in our industry,” said Lisa Fine of Ink Systems, Inc. “He heeds his internal call to action, and our entire industry has benefited, as a result. I have appreciated the many hours of discussion and debate we have shared in this arena. I am glad the industry could show its gratitude for George by honoring him with this award.”
Fuchs has been a key participant in the planning of the NAPIM/NPIRI Summer course and Fall Technical Conference for many years. The Bio Renewable Content program for NAPIM members and Sustainable Green Partnership program for the printing industry are two examples. He has participated with other trade associations including RadTech, PIA, APT, Two Sides, CPMA and more.
Fuchs began his career in the late 1970s, when he joined Allied Chemical Corporation in Morristown, NJ, where he headed up the laboratory safety area for Allied Chemical’s R&D labs at the corporate headquarters. Through the years, he has also worked at Pennwalt, ENI America and Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation in a variety of positions in the health, safety and compliance areas.
In 1993, Fuchs joined NAPIM as the manager of environmental affairs and information systems, and he recalled that NAPIM’s leaders at the time set a high example to follow.
“There are three NAPIM people who stand out very prominently in my memory as key influences: Jimmy Sutphin, Jim Renson and Paul Volpe,” Fuchs said. “These are the first people I worked with when I came to NAPIM. Each one of these individuals personified class and dignity. I remember thinking to myself at the time if these are the kind of people who work in the ink industry, this is an industry I want to be a part of. These were gentlemen of the highest order and models for us all to emulate.”
Over the years, Fuchs has been involved in a number of initiatives for continuous improvement such as work for ASTM and TSCA compliance issues. For many years, he has assisted NAPIM member companies with the design and interpretation of Material Safety Data Sheets. Most recently, he has devoted his attention to food safety compliance issues and influenced the publication of a new guideline document for the printing ink industry. He also is actively involved in sharing regulatory information with the EHS personnel of member companies.
Outside of NAPIM, Fuchs coordinates with EuPIA on the regulatory issues before the ink industry, and works closely with printing associations. The regard with which he is held can be seen in his receiving the William D. Schaeffer Environmental Award, the Printing Industries of America’s most prestigious environmental award, from the PIA in 2018. He is also held in the highest esteem by industry members; in 2011, Fuchs was honored by the Metro New York Printing Ink Association with its Man of the Year Award.
“Representing the ink industry on the EPA’s Common Sense Initiative Federal Advisory Committee was a very exciting and productive opportunity,” Fuchs said. “The opportunity to work with some of the most dedicated, knowledgeable and professional people I have ever known is also a highlight, as is receiving the Printing Ink Pioneer award at this year’s convention and receiving the PIA Scheaffer Environmental Excellence award in 2018.
Fuchs has seen a lot of changes in the ink industry during his time at NAPIM.
“It’s contracted of course, and become increasingly competitive,” he observed. “However, it also remains today to a large extent as it was in the early 1990s, a special and different industry, more of a family than most of the specialty chemical industry. The majority of individuals in ink industry are strongly dedicated and committed to its success and prosperity. They understand its singular importance and value.”
Fuchs resides in Simpsonville, SC, with his wife Jennifer, and they have two daughters, Christina and Katherine, and two grandchildren. He enjoys physical fitness, cooking, home repair and renovation, playing guitar and computer programming.
“I enjoy physical fitness and home renovation,” he added. “While growing up I had three tradesman uncles – carpenter, plumber and electrician – and I learned to love working with my hands and do to this day.”
Throughout the years, Fuchs’ leadership on behalf of NAPIM and the ink and allied industries, whether it is in helping coordinate the annual conferences, representing the industry at various meetings or working with individual companies to provide advice on their individual needs, has been a benefit to all. His expertise in health, safety and environmental issues is highly regarded throughout the ink and printing industries. Fuchs’ knowledge of the byzantine regulatory and environmental rules is unequaled, and his ability to break these laws down into a format that is clear to all is very special.
“It is humbling and extremely gratifying,” Fuchs said of receiving the Pioneer Award. “Through NAPIM I’ve worked hard to promote and represent our industry to the best of my abilities. It is my sincerest hope that I’ve made a positive impact and meaningful contribution to its future success.”
“George has been a responsive and energetic guide to all things technical and regulatory in our industry,” said Lisa Fine of Ink Systems, Inc. “He heeds his internal call to action, and our entire industry has benefited, as a result. I have appreciated the many hours of discussion and debate we have shared in this arena. I am glad the industry could show its gratitude for George by honoring him with this award.”
Fuchs has been a key participant in the planning of the NAPIM/NPIRI Summer course and Fall Technical Conference for many years. The Bio Renewable Content program for NAPIM members and Sustainable Green Partnership program for the printing industry are two examples. He has participated with other trade associations including RadTech, PIA, APT, Two Sides, CPMA and more.
Fuchs began his career in the late 1970s, when he joined Allied Chemical Corporation in Morristown, NJ, where he headed up the laboratory safety area for Allied Chemical’s R&D labs at the corporate headquarters. Through the years, he has also worked at Pennwalt, ENI America and Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation in a variety of positions in the health, safety and compliance areas.
In 1993, Fuchs joined NAPIM as the manager of environmental affairs and information systems, and he recalled that NAPIM’s leaders at the time set a high example to follow.
“There are three NAPIM people who stand out very prominently in my memory as key influences: Jimmy Sutphin, Jim Renson and Paul Volpe,” Fuchs said. “These are the first people I worked with when I came to NAPIM. Each one of these individuals personified class and dignity. I remember thinking to myself at the time if these are the kind of people who work in the ink industry, this is an industry I want to be a part of. These were gentlemen of the highest order and models for us all to emulate.”
Over the years, Fuchs has been involved in a number of initiatives for continuous improvement such as work for ASTM and TSCA compliance issues. For many years, he has assisted NAPIM member companies with the design and interpretation of Material Safety Data Sheets. Most recently, he has devoted his attention to food safety compliance issues and influenced the publication of a new guideline document for the printing ink industry. He also is actively involved in sharing regulatory information with the EHS personnel of member companies.
Outside of NAPIM, Fuchs coordinates with EuPIA on the regulatory issues before the ink industry, and works closely with printing associations. The regard with which he is held can be seen in his receiving the William D. Schaeffer Environmental Award, the Printing Industries of America’s most prestigious environmental award, from the PIA in 2018. He is also held in the highest esteem by industry members; in 2011, Fuchs was honored by the Metro New York Printing Ink Association with its Man of the Year Award.
“Representing the ink industry on the EPA’s Common Sense Initiative Federal Advisory Committee was a very exciting and productive opportunity,” Fuchs said. “The opportunity to work with some of the most dedicated, knowledgeable and professional people I have ever known is also a highlight, as is receiving the Printing Ink Pioneer award at this year’s convention and receiving the PIA Scheaffer Environmental Excellence award in 2018.
Fuchs has seen a lot of changes in the ink industry during his time at NAPIM.
“It’s contracted of course, and become increasingly competitive,” he observed. “However, it also remains today to a large extent as it was in the early 1990s, a special and different industry, more of a family than most of the specialty chemical industry. The majority of individuals in ink industry are strongly dedicated and committed to its success and prosperity. They understand its singular importance and value.”
Fuchs resides in Simpsonville, SC, with his wife Jennifer, and they have two daughters, Christina and Katherine, and two grandchildren. He enjoys physical fitness, cooking, home repair and renovation, playing guitar and computer programming.
“I enjoy physical fitness and home renovation,” he added. “While growing up I had three tradesman uncles – carpenter, plumber and electrician – and I learned to love working with my hands and do to this day.”
