When Allan Neal joined Sun Chemical in 1988, he was initially focused on the credit side of the business, but his interest in sales soon led to new successes, culminating in NAPIM’s prestigious Printing Ink Pioneer Award honor this year.

“My background was credit and finance-related, having worked for Proctor & Gamble and RCSI, a division of Citibank,” says Neal, who is Sun Chemical’s director, agency sales – USA. “That experience was valuable in helping me start my career as credit manager for Sun Chemical – Color Materials.

Neal adds that he always had an interest in sales, even before joining Sun Chemical.

“To ‘cross the line’ from the credit manager to manager, sales administration, and then into sales in the southern territory was my springboard, and I haven’t looked back since,” Neal says. “The Lord blessed our family with such an opportunity.

“I had a couple of chances to go into management and follow a different career path, but chose to stay the course with sales. I have been very blessed to see continued growth and receive various awards throughout my career. While in sales, I have had the opportunity to train and manage several new reps, cover my own territory and manage our business for 17 years with Brenntag Specialties, our USA agent.”

Neal notes that he has had some important mentors along the way.

“From the beginning, Bob Walsh and Peter Ludwig were the initial ones to influence my decision to start with Sun Chemical,” Neal recalls. “I still remember the bouquet of flowers sent to my wife welcoming us to Sun Chemical over 42 years ago. Also, on a handshake, the trust I had in those two gentlemen to cover benefits should the company I was leaving stop coverage right away – it was just that feeling that Sun Chemical truly was going to be family.

“There are so many others that have provided so much support over the years, from the senior management on, too many to name them all but for each, I am extremely grateful,” he adds. “And of course, the many customers I have called on, developing relationships and trust with so many. The support from my family goes without saying – they literally grew up with Sun Chemical and almost are as much a part of Sun Chemical as myself.”

When asked how the ink industry has changed throughout the years, Neal says that there’s not enough room to cover this question thoroughly.

“While core products haven’t changed dramatically, selling into the industry certainly has,” he notes. “With the many acquisitions and business changes in the market, product portfolio changes, new challenging ink types as UV and digital demand increased, the ever-changing regulatory requirements, and, of course, how COVID put a spin on things. These have been but a few of the many changes.”

Outside of his work, Neal enjoys biking, golfing, hunting, “tinkering”, family time, church and working with special needs families. Family is a huge part of his life, and that his family was present at the awards ceremony made it that much more special.

“It was quite a surprise, especially to have my family present,” Neal concludes. “Very blessed, humbled and truly honored to be recognized. Again, it would not have been possible without the support from so, so many.”