The Metro New York Printing Ink Association (MNYPIA) honored Rick Clendenning, recently retired president and CEO of INX International Ink Co., with its 18th Anthony Mauriello Man of the Year award. Clendenning was honored May 2, 2019, at a dinner held in his honor at the Iberia Peninsula restaurant in Newark, NJ. Michael Brice of INX was the emcee.

“We were fortunate to have Rick as our leader,” Brice said. “You created an atmosphere of a 1,300 person family business.”

George Fuchs, director regulatory affairs and technology for the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM), thanked Clendenning for his efforts on behalf of NAPIM and the ink industry.

“I have mixed emotions about seeing you leave,” said Fuchs. Rick’s impact on NAPIM and the ink industry, in general, can’t be overestimated. Rick stands shoulder to shoulder with the giants of the industry.”

“I can’t tell you how honored I am to receive this award,” Clendenning said. “Obviously I love the ink industry. This is a great industry and every person is important. I accept this award for all of our 1,300 employees.”

Clendenning joined the ink industry in 1971 as a tub washer in Acme Printing Ink’s plant in Fullerton, CA, and quickly rose through the ranks. When Acme became part of SAKATA INX of Japan in 1992, he took full responsibility for all the metal decorating operations and sales globally. In 1994 he was elected to the INX International Ink Company Board of Directors and a year later promoted to SVP in charge of international and metal deco operations. In the fall of 1999, he was promoted to the position of president of INX International Ink Co. and within a few years, he was also named CEO.

Clendenning is no stranger to awards. He was recognized in 1997 by receiving NAPIM’s Printing Ink Pioneer Award. He has been on the Board of NAPIM since 1999 and became a member of the Executive Committee in 2002. In 2007, He was presented with NAPIM’s Ault Award, the highest award that members of the ink industry can bestow on one of their peers, and was NAPIM’s president the following two years. Clendenning has also been a member of the IMDA (International Metal Decorators Association) for 20 years and served as their president in 2006 through 2007. Most recently, in February of this year, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the LATAM Can Association.

Clendenning said he is looking forward to spending time with his family, beginning with his wife Kitty, who he credited with raising their children while Rick was traveling on business.

“I’d like to thank my two sons who my wife Kitty raised, my two daughters-in-law who tolerate me, and our six grandchildren who want me to be home,” Clendenning concluded.