David Savastano, Editor02.07.22
In 1980, Joseph Mele decided it was time to make a career change. It turned out to be a great decision, as Mele’s dedication to the ink industry and his customers has earned him NAPIM’s 2020 Printing Ink Pioneer Award.
“I was looking to make a career change and a recruiter contacted me with a position available with Lawter,” Mele recalled. “He said they made vehicles, and I thought he meant cars. John Carrol, who was national sales manager at Lawter, hired me and thus my career in the industry got started.”
Born in Italy, Mele emigrated to the US when he was 6. Mele began his career in the graphic arts industry with Lawter International in 1980, where he was responsible for East Coast regional direct sales of hydrocarbon and rosin ester-based resins, ink vehicles and fluorescent pigments to the ink industry.
He moved to Degan Company in 1986 as VP of sales, and joined VJG & Principals as VP of sales in 1990. Mele became national sales manager at Var-Chem Products in 1998.
In the last 10 years, he has served as key accounts and export manager at Kustom Group, key account manager at Allnex, business development manager for Solvardis and US sales manager for Polymeros Sinteticos. Currently, he is key account specialist for United Mineral and Chemical Corporation in the Colorants Business Unit, selling specialty effects pigments.
Throughout his career, Mele has successfully grown the businesses he worked for and earned the respect of the industry. Mele has been an active supporter of the printing ink industry for more than 40 years. He is an active member of NAPIM and has participated in its conferences and conventions for many years. Additionally, he is secretary of the New York Metro Printing Ink Association and a member of the Chicago Printing Ink Production Club, where he received the CPIPC Supplier of the Year Award in 2010 in recognition of his longtime dedication to the printing ink industry.
Mele credits many people with influencing his career.
“Initially, Lud Horn was an incredible mentor at Lawter,” he said. “The crew at Superior Printing Ink, Lou Pascuzzi, Sal Moscuzza, Rob Van Vranken and Harvey Brice, was instrumental in my early career. Dom Verillo and Diane Parisi are two more significant influences in my time in the industry, as are Luigi Ribaudo of Sun Chemical and Jim Varner of VJG. There are so many more and I apologize if I left anyone out.”
He has also seen many changes within the industry over the years.
“Consolidation is and continues to be a major change,” said Mele. “When I began my career, I could spend an entire day in Manhattan making sales calls on ink companies. Today most do not exist. The decline of the publication part of the business and the growth of UV, water-based and digital inks were just a few of the many changes I’ve experienced.”
Outside of work, Mele has numerous hobbies.
“My love of cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family especially my wonderful daughters and grandchildren,” he said. “I have been blessed to have met the love of my life, Rita, and sharing time with her is a priority. Eventually we plan to live in South Carolina, where we are building a home.”
Along the way, Mele has earned many awards for his leadership.
“Winning salesman of the year at Lawter was one highlight,” he said. “My time with Var-Chem was very special. They had great products and it led to many successes. Winning the Supplier of the Year award from CPIPC was another great moment in my career. Finally, winning the Pioneer Award is the icing on the cake. I am very happy and blessed to be with UMC as my career is winding down. My success here is thanks to Mike Sansonetti and Phil Befumo and UMC’s fantastic suppliers.
“I am humbled and honored to receive this award,” Mele concluded. “I feel I am unworthy when I look at all the other winners over the years. I want to thank everyone at NAPIM, the NAPIM board and the wonderful friends I have made in this fantastic industry.”
“I was looking to make a career change and a recruiter contacted me with a position available with Lawter,” Mele recalled. “He said they made vehicles, and I thought he meant cars. John Carrol, who was national sales manager at Lawter, hired me and thus my career in the industry got started.”
Born in Italy, Mele emigrated to the US when he was 6. Mele began his career in the graphic arts industry with Lawter International in 1980, where he was responsible for East Coast regional direct sales of hydrocarbon and rosin ester-based resins, ink vehicles and fluorescent pigments to the ink industry.
He moved to Degan Company in 1986 as VP of sales, and joined VJG & Principals as VP of sales in 1990. Mele became national sales manager at Var-Chem Products in 1998.
In the last 10 years, he has served as key accounts and export manager at Kustom Group, key account manager at Allnex, business development manager for Solvardis and US sales manager for Polymeros Sinteticos. Currently, he is key account specialist for United Mineral and Chemical Corporation in the Colorants Business Unit, selling specialty effects pigments.
Throughout his career, Mele has successfully grown the businesses he worked for and earned the respect of the industry. Mele has been an active supporter of the printing ink industry for more than 40 years. He is an active member of NAPIM and has participated in its conferences and conventions for many years. Additionally, he is secretary of the New York Metro Printing Ink Association and a member of the Chicago Printing Ink Production Club, where he received the CPIPC Supplier of the Year Award in 2010 in recognition of his longtime dedication to the printing ink industry.
Mele credits many people with influencing his career.
“Initially, Lud Horn was an incredible mentor at Lawter,” he said. “The crew at Superior Printing Ink, Lou Pascuzzi, Sal Moscuzza, Rob Van Vranken and Harvey Brice, was instrumental in my early career. Dom Verillo and Diane Parisi are two more significant influences in my time in the industry, as are Luigi Ribaudo of Sun Chemical and Jim Varner of VJG. There are so many more and I apologize if I left anyone out.”
He has also seen many changes within the industry over the years.
“Consolidation is and continues to be a major change,” said Mele. “When I began my career, I could spend an entire day in Manhattan making sales calls on ink companies. Today most do not exist. The decline of the publication part of the business and the growth of UV, water-based and digital inks were just a few of the many changes I’ve experienced.”
Outside of work, Mele has numerous hobbies.
“My love of cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family especially my wonderful daughters and grandchildren,” he said. “I have been blessed to have met the love of my life, Rita, and sharing time with her is a priority. Eventually we plan to live in South Carolina, where we are building a home.”
Along the way, Mele has earned many awards for his leadership.
“Winning salesman of the year at Lawter was one highlight,” he said. “My time with Var-Chem was very special. They had great products and it led to many successes. Winning the Supplier of the Year award from CPIPC was another great moment in my career. Finally, winning the Pioneer Award is the icing on the cake. I am very happy and blessed to be with UMC as my career is winding down. My success here is thanks to Mike Sansonetti and Phil Befumo and UMC’s fantastic suppliers.
“I am humbled and honored to receive this award,” Mele concluded. “I feel I am unworthy when I look at all the other winners over the years. I want to thank everyone at NAPIM, the NAPIM board and the wonderful friends I have made in this fantastic industry.”