While he officially started in the ink industry at the age of 22, Ron Deegan has been watching the printing industry since he was a child, as his father and uncle both worked in the packaging field.

It seems quite natural, then, for Deegan, INX’s SVP of sales for North America, to have been focused on the packaging ink segment, and his contributions over the past 33 years have deservedly earned him the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers’ (NAPIM) prestigious Printing Ink Pioneer Award.

“My father started his career as a tool and die maker in the printing industry for Rolph-Clark-Stone,” Deegan recalls. “The company eventually became Somerville Packaging and later as Shorewood Packaging, where my father was the operations manager.  My uncle, Tom Frey, also worked in management at Somerville Packaging and now works on the printing equipment side with Bobst.”

Deegan worked at Shorewood Packaging during the summers while in high school and college, so he was very familiar with the printing industry.

“When I finished college, a gentleman and my mentor, Dan McKenney, VP of sales, offered me a position working for Kromacorp International, a solvent and water ink and coating manufacturer headquartered in Prescott, Ontario, Canada,” Deegan says. “I started working in the lab as a lab technician. After three months, I was transferred to an in-plant position for the next five to six years. I moved into sales and eventually sales management. Kromacorp eventually was sold to SICPA, where I worked for two years prior to joining INX International Ink Co.”

Deegan joined INX in 2003 and worked in various sales and operations roles before becoming VP of sales & operations for Canada. He later was promoted to VP of sales for the North America Liquid Ink Division and has served in his present position since 2019. Deegan is thankful to the people who have helped him succeed over the years, beginning with his parents.

“It goes without saying for both my parents, and there was significant extended family influence from grandparents and siblings to aunts and uncles regarding work ethic, professionalism, and loyalty,” Deegan says. “I take influences from several pro athletes, specifically about professionalism. 

“In my career, I have been fortunate to have influences from several mentors,” he adds. “Dan McKenney hired me into this industry and Charlie Sagert was my predecessor at INX for my current position. I have been fortunate to work with and directly for three dynamic presidents and CEOs at INX; Rick Clendenning, John Hrdlick, and currently Bryce Kristo, have all influenced my career in a positive way. At some point in time, many of my peers both past and present have influenced me.”

Deegan has seen first-hand how the ink industry has changed through the years.

“I have been working in this industry for 33 years, so I have seen several changes,” Deegan notes. “The competitive landscape has changed with the consolidation of ink companies, as well as converters. It has made the industry more competitive.

“Regulatory changes have impacted the ink industry year over year. Ink companies need to be engaged with regulatory organizations globally to ensure continued compliance,” he adds. “Sustainability is at the forefront of our industry, as well as with converters. It is a key enterprise strategy of INX and our market to ensure we are achieving our goals for customers, brand owners, and consumers.

“Globalization has had a significant impact on the printing industry in terms of customer expectations and on raw material supply and cost,” he observes. “The reliance on the global supply chain can be challenging with geopolitical concerns, pandemics, and other things. Converter expectations on service, supply, and cost continue to increase, placing efficiency challenges on ink suppliers.”

Outside of work, Deegan enjoys sports, family and reading.

“I am a sports fan and follow hockey, baseball, both Canadian football and the NFL, rugby and golf,” Deegan says. “I continue to play hockey and golf, and as an avid outdoorsman, I hunt and fish. My wife and I enjoy traveling domestically and internationally. I’m also an avid reader.”

Deegan says that receiving the Pioneer Award is a rewarding experience.

“It has honestly been a humbling experience and one I am grateful for,” Deegan notes. “This has been my life’s work since I was 22, so it was an honor to be recognized by my peers. I know many deserving people who have received this award, and it really is an honor to be recognized along with them.”

His colleagues say that Deegan is a truly deserving honoree.

“I’ve known Ron since joining INX as the SVP and general counsel over 10 years ago,” says Matthew Mason. “He has always been supportive of our INX legal team and has spent countless hours educating us about ink, coatings and the market. Based on the knowledge we have gained from him, we have been able to support INX and our customers globally from a legal perspective.

“Part of INX’s mission is to lead the industry in delivering innovative, safe, and sustainable solutions that enhance the customer experience,” Mason adds. “To realize our vision under Ron’s leadership and his collaboration with our R&D, operations, strategy and marketing teams, INX continues to innovate packaging, products, and sensorial experiences that are safe, sustainable, and support a circular economy. He has supported these collective efforts and has served as a respected role model for INX and our customers, as well as the global ink and coatings market.”

“Ron leads with a genuine passion for our customers and a deep commitment to INX International’s success, always bringing a strong focus on customer understanding, engagement and long-term relationships,” says Renee Schouten, VP of marketing for INX. “He has a great sense of humor and an energy that elevates any situation, making even the most challenging projects enjoyable. It’s been a privilege to share the same dedication to INX’s growth and values alongside someone who truly embodies them.”

“Ron’s ambition to develop relationships at all levels of our business and within the industry has helped to establish himself as a highly respected professional. His ability to leverage these relationships has led to a successful strategy built on trust and compassion,” adds Tom Socha, VP of sales for the Liquid Ink division at INX. “Ron’s contributions to both the printing and ink industry are recognized by his commitment to honesty and integrity. He has built a reputation as not only an industry leader, but also a true friend to all who know him.”