David Savastano, Editor02.07.22
The National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers’ (NAPIM) Ault Award is the most prestigious award that members of the North American ink industry can receive. The award recognizes an individual for tremendous dedication to the ink industry. Maria Vivy DaCosta, VP Administration and Sales Directorate for hubergroup, the 2020 Ault Award honoree, is absolutely a most deserving choice.
“Maria Vivy DaCosta, our Ault Award winner, is very diligent and conscientious and always gives 100 percent,” John Copeland, NAPIM’s executive director, said. “She has been a longtime supporter of NAPIM and served as a NAPIM board member, where she always provided great input and suggestions.
DaCosta joined the industry after graduating from college in 1977, beginning as a customer service representative for KVK, a Danish manufacturer specializing in pigments for the printing ink industry. One of its customers was Hostmann-Steinberg, part of hubergroup.
“After I graduated from college in London, England in 1977, my first job was at the London location of a Danish pigment company,” she said. “I was fascinated with what could be created from dry pigment. At that time, the company was supplying pigments to Hostmann-Steinberg. This opened the door on the wonderful world of printing and printing ink. I was curious and wanted to explore what printing ink was all about, how it becomes a beautiful printed product. Three years later, I was in Canada working for Hostmann-Steinberg.”
Winfried Gleue, the new president of Hostmann-Steinberg, recognized her drive to succeed and willingness to learn. He quickly moved her into the executive stream and together they started the development of a Canadian-wide operation complete with on-site R&D, state-of-the-art manufacturing, technical support and service.
With the knowledge gained from the opening of the Montreal and Vancouver branches in Canada, DaCosta led the expansion of Hostmann-Steinberg’s market presence in North America, starting in New York State and continuing with branches in Buffalo, Boston, Hartford, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg. Her efforts helped increase Hostmann-Steinberg (hubergroup) sales from $2 million in Canada to $200 million in North America during that time. In 2009, DaCosta was promoted to the position of VP of Finance and Administration.
DaCosta’s dedication to the ink industry is also seen in her service to key trade associations. She served on NAPIM’s board from 2011-2017, and received the NAPIM Printing Ink Pioneer Award in 2015. She has been an active member of the Canadian Printing Ink Manufacturers Association since 2008, serving as its president twice.
DaCosta pointed to several highlights during her career, beginning with her first trip to drupa.
“My first exposure to drupa was an eye opener! The myriad of printing press types, press supplies, printing inks, and printing effects displayed in one location reinforced my impression that the ink and printing worlds would be a career long learning experience,” DaCosta recalled. “Countless drupas, tradeshows and conventions later, I am still learning from the many interesting and exceptionally talented industry icons from around the world.”
Aside from establishing branches throughout the US and Canada, DaCosta was also achieving success in sales.
“In 1986, I was thrilled to be the first woman in the Canadian Printing Ink Industry to join the elite ‘Million Dollar Sales Club.’ A year later, I was still in the ‘club’.
“My latest highlight is receiving the 2020 NAPIM Ault Award,” she added. “It reflects my life long dedication and desire to be the best I can be and to help the industry that I love to continue to move in new directions.”
DaCosta mentioned that a number of people influenced her career, beginning with Winfried Gleue, himself an Ault Award winner back in 2009.
“Winfried Gleue, Hostmann-Steinberg Canada’s president, provided me with the opportunity and encouragement to understand ink and printing. For over 25 years, he led by example – know your printers, talk to your printers and, most of all, listen to your printers,” DaCosta said.
“After 40 plus years in the ink industry, I can say that I have met and learned from a number of amazing people,” she added. “Each of these pillars of our industry, too many to mention by name, made a lasting impression, their contributions to our industry encouraged me and countless others to explore new ideas and initiatives with confidence.”
DaCosta has seen the ink industry evolve over the years, and is confident that ink and printing will remain a crucial part of our everyday lives.
“The printing industry is in a constant state of flux,” she noted. “However, print is definitely not going away. Printing inks will always be in demand right across the spectrum of life.
“Decades ago, the combination of ink, graphics and package design attracted the consumer’s eye,” DaCosta said. “Now consumers look beyond the picture to the sustainability and ecological impact of the product they are considering.
“Technology and consumer opinion have added new dimensions to the ink industry,” added DaCosta. “We are constantly challenged to provide products that respond to our customer’s needs at an affordable price while maintaining quality. These new dimensions also increase the scope of experience the ink industry needs from new talent and allows existing talent to use their experience to expand into innovative areas.”
Outside of her work, DaCosta has a number of interesting hobbies, even learning how to make wine.
“Traveling to interesting places in the world, meeting interesting people and renewing old acquaintances is my passion, followed by gardening and cooking,” said DaCosta. “I have even spent a two-week vacation working in a Portuguese vineyard because I wanted to know how my favorite beverage was made. In addition, I take a keen interest in artifacts, extraordinary and rare objects and reflecting on how our printing industry may have contributed in their splendor.”
DaCosta said that receiving the Ault Award is an “incredible honor.”
“I am truly humbled,” DaCosta concluded. “It is an incredible honor to be ranked with and worked with the super heroes of our unique industry.”
“Maria Vivy DaCosta, our Ault Award winner, is very diligent and conscientious and always gives 100 percent,” John Copeland, NAPIM’s executive director, said. “She has been a longtime supporter of NAPIM and served as a NAPIM board member, where she always provided great input and suggestions.
DaCosta joined the industry after graduating from college in 1977, beginning as a customer service representative for KVK, a Danish manufacturer specializing in pigments for the printing ink industry. One of its customers was Hostmann-Steinberg, part of hubergroup.
“After I graduated from college in London, England in 1977, my first job was at the London location of a Danish pigment company,” she said. “I was fascinated with what could be created from dry pigment. At that time, the company was supplying pigments to Hostmann-Steinberg. This opened the door on the wonderful world of printing and printing ink. I was curious and wanted to explore what printing ink was all about, how it becomes a beautiful printed product. Three years later, I was in Canada working for Hostmann-Steinberg.”
Winfried Gleue, the new president of Hostmann-Steinberg, recognized her drive to succeed and willingness to learn. He quickly moved her into the executive stream and together they started the development of a Canadian-wide operation complete with on-site R&D, state-of-the-art manufacturing, technical support and service.
With the knowledge gained from the opening of the Montreal and Vancouver branches in Canada, DaCosta led the expansion of Hostmann-Steinberg’s market presence in North America, starting in New York State and continuing with branches in Buffalo, Boston, Hartford, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg. Her efforts helped increase Hostmann-Steinberg (hubergroup) sales from $2 million in Canada to $200 million in North America during that time. In 2009, DaCosta was promoted to the position of VP of Finance and Administration.
DaCosta’s dedication to the ink industry is also seen in her service to key trade associations. She served on NAPIM’s board from 2011-2017, and received the NAPIM Printing Ink Pioneer Award in 2015. She has been an active member of the Canadian Printing Ink Manufacturers Association since 2008, serving as its president twice.
DaCosta pointed to several highlights during her career, beginning with her first trip to drupa.
“My first exposure to drupa was an eye opener! The myriad of printing press types, press supplies, printing inks, and printing effects displayed in one location reinforced my impression that the ink and printing worlds would be a career long learning experience,” DaCosta recalled. “Countless drupas, tradeshows and conventions later, I am still learning from the many interesting and exceptionally talented industry icons from around the world.”
Aside from establishing branches throughout the US and Canada, DaCosta was also achieving success in sales.
“In 1986, I was thrilled to be the first woman in the Canadian Printing Ink Industry to join the elite ‘Million Dollar Sales Club.’ A year later, I was still in the ‘club’.
“My latest highlight is receiving the 2020 NAPIM Ault Award,” she added. “It reflects my life long dedication and desire to be the best I can be and to help the industry that I love to continue to move in new directions.”
DaCosta mentioned that a number of people influenced her career, beginning with Winfried Gleue, himself an Ault Award winner back in 2009.
“Winfried Gleue, Hostmann-Steinberg Canada’s president, provided me with the opportunity and encouragement to understand ink and printing. For over 25 years, he led by example – know your printers, talk to your printers and, most of all, listen to your printers,” DaCosta said.
“After 40 plus years in the ink industry, I can say that I have met and learned from a number of amazing people,” she added. “Each of these pillars of our industry, too many to mention by name, made a lasting impression, their contributions to our industry encouraged me and countless others to explore new ideas and initiatives with confidence.”
DaCosta has seen the ink industry evolve over the years, and is confident that ink and printing will remain a crucial part of our everyday lives.
“The printing industry is in a constant state of flux,” she noted. “However, print is definitely not going away. Printing inks will always be in demand right across the spectrum of life.
“Decades ago, the combination of ink, graphics and package design attracted the consumer’s eye,” DaCosta said. “Now consumers look beyond the picture to the sustainability and ecological impact of the product they are considering.
“Technology and consumer opinion have added new dimensions to the ink industry,” added DaCosta. “We are constantly challenged to provide products that respond to our customer’s needs at an affordable price while maintaining quality. These new dimensions also increase the scope of experience the ink industry needs from new talent and allows existing talent to use their experience to expand into innovative areas.”
Outside of her work, DaCosta has a number of interesting hobbies, even learning how to make wine.
“Traveling to interesting places in the world, meeting interesting people and renewing old acquaintances is my passion, followed by gardening and cooking,” said DaCosta. “I have even spent a two-week vacation working in a Portuguese vineyard because I wanted to know how my favorite beverage was made. In addition, I take a keen interest in artifacts, extraordinary and rare objects and reflecting on how our printing industry may have contributed in their splendor.”
DaCosta said that receiving the Ault Award is an “incredible honor.”
“I am truly humbled,” DaCosta concluded. “It is an incredible honor to be ranked with and worked with the super heroes of our unique industry.”