About Us – Superior Printing Inks

Introduction

Superior Printing Ink Co., Inc. was founded in 1918, and rapidly became known for accurate color matching and “get-it-there-no-matter-what” delivery. Four generations later, Superior remains a family owned and operated American business. This continuity of ownership/management is a key element of Superior’s success. It has provided a solid foundation on which the company continues to build.

Superior’s continuing growth currently extends to over 20 manufacturing branches, two sub divisions (Spinks Ink Company and Gotham Ink Corporation), and numerous in-plant customer service locations. Superior employs over 350 persons, all devoted to maintaining the company’s reputation for outstanding quality and service. To better serve the changing needs of the printing industry, Superior continues to develop innovative products, such as our Elite and Super Tech Process Inks and the Precision Color Mixing System. Our motto “Modern Technology/Old Fashioned Service” truly describes our company.

In each new location our products and outstanding service has led to quick acceptance. Although best known as a supplier of sheet fed printing inks to commercial and packaging printers, Superior also supplies heat set, no heat web, UV inks, as well as, press side ink additives, overprint varnishes, and vehicles for printing inks. Additionally our sub-divisions supply acrylic and rubber base inks (through Spinks Ink), flexographic and gravure inks (through Gotham Ink).

Superior is proud that all our Branch / Location Managers are experienced ink technicians and are well versed in the variables of the printing process. They are eager and willing to discuss the needs of the printer and offer their technical experience to help satisfy these needs.

A look inside our testing, manufacturing, and shipping operations

A Short History of Superior and Its Subsidiaries

Harry G. Kriegel, the founder of Superior Printing Ink, started his career in graphic arts as a printer’s devil in the early nineteen hundreds.

In 1918, he persuaded William Randolph Hearst to lease him his unused ink manufacturing plant in Hoboken, New Jersey. In 1920, he incorporated the business under the name Superior Printing Ink Co., Inc. and started operations in a store on West 31st Street in New York City. As the business progressed, he moved to West 25th Street, and ultimately to 295 Lafayette Street in 1930.

To raise capital, Mr. Kriegel sold stock in the company to friends, relatives, and even printers. Elias J. Lightstone became a partner in 1924. Because of ill health, Mr. Lightstone sold his shares to Morton E. Kapp in 1930.

In May 1935, Quality Varnish Company was formed and leased a building in Long Island City, under the supervision of Julius Feinstein. In 1966, a larger and more suitable facility in Newark, New Jersey was purchased from the Lawter Corporation. By 1986, two large electrically heated kettles had been purchased and essentially replaced the small original gas fired ones for the manufacture of ink vehicles. In 1990, a 12,000 sq. ft. warehouse was added to the facility.

Sadly, Morton Kapp, Vice President, passed away on February 18, 1961. Pursuant to a buy-sell agreement between Mr. Kriegel and Mr. Kapp, Mr. Kriegel became sole owner of Superior Printing Ink Company in July 1961. Nathan Rosen, Mr. Kriegel’s son-in-law, was appointed to the Board of Directors. Harry Kriegel was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors. Nathan Rosen was elected President of Superior.

On October 9, 1961, Mr. Kriegel sold his interest in Superior to Nathan Rosen, Joseph M. Simons, and Meyer Mandel, who then became President, Vice President-Secretary, and Treasurer, respectively. Each of the three had already been employed at Superior for over 25 years. Mr. Rosen, who had risen to the position of Chief Chemist, remained as President in charge of operations. Mr. Simons (Mr. Kapp’s brother-in-law) and Mr. Mandel were both in sales. In addition, the following key positions were established:

Harry Poley – Plant Manager

Louis Pascuzzi – Manager, Lithographic Department

Herb Scheichet – Manager, Letterpress Department

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2016

In March Jennifer Stapp Simons was promoted to Vice President of Business Development. In June Harold Rubin was promoted to Sr. Executive Vice President. Also in June Peter Nunez was promoted · to ·Chief Financial Officer. In September Angel Torres was promoted to Chief Operating Officer. After 47 years Service, Jim La Rocca retired from the Company. Paul Fernandez was promoted to Northeast Regional Vice President and Cliff Panczyk was...

2013

In April Stanley R. Hittman retired from his position of Executive Vice President 16

2012

In January Superior acquired the assets of Ink Makers, further strengthening the Company's presence in the West Coast. 15

2011

In April George Varughese was promoted to Vice President of Technology. 14

2008

In April, after 47 years of exemplary service, Salvatore Moscuzza retired from his position as Senior Vice President / Principal Ink Technologist.

2007

In April, Salvatore Moscuzza, Senior Vice President / Principal Ink Technologist, won the NAPIM Printing Ink Pioneer Award. In July, Richard Czarnecki joined Superior as the new Vice President of Technology. In September, Superior opened a new Baltimore/Washington branch office in Glen Burnie, Maryland. In October, the Los Angeles branch relocated to a new, state of the art facility in Commerce, California.

2006

In September, after 43 years of distinguished service to both Superior and the graphic arts community, Mr. Harvey R. Brice retired from his position as Superior’s Managing Director. In September, Superior relocated its corporate offices and the New York branch to 100 North Street, Teterboro, New Jersey.

2005

In January, after 16 years of service, Robert Bernatavitz was promoted to Vice President of Manufacturing with responsibility for the management of CMF 1, CMF 2, the WDC, and the Newark varnish manufacturing plant. Anthony Cieri joined Superior to replace Irving Stolberg as head of Corporate Technical Service. Construction began on a varnish manufacturing facility at CMF 1 in Hamden, Connecticut. In November, after 20 years of distinguished service, Michael...

2004

After 50 years of outstanding service, Irving Stolberg retired at the end of the year.

2003

After 40 years of service, Harvey R. Brice was promoted to Managing Director. After 17 years of service, Michael R. Brice was promoted to President & Chief Operating Officer. Covar Corporation became the Newark branch. Gotham Ink and Color Company of New York and Gotham Ink of New England merged to become Gotham Ink Corporation. Superior began implementation of a five year business plan emphasizing strong focus on employee recruitment,...

2002

Superior’s Sarasota branch moved to a more central location in Tampa, Florida. Superior’s North Haven branch moved to Wallingford, Connecticut.

2001

After 28 years of service, Angel Torres was promoted to Vice President of Sales & Business Development. Sales Vice President Anthony DiGesu retired after 25 years of loyal service. Stephen Foy was promoted to Regional Manager and took over responsibility from Jim Feeney for the Mid-West Region.

2000

To guide Superior through its 100th birthday, and well into the 21st century, the leadership team was reorganized and expanded with Michael R. Brice as Chief Operating Officer. Superior mourned the passing of Nathan Rosen, the last surviving member of the management team that successfully guided Superior from 1961 to 1990. Nathan Rosen, Joseph M. Simons, and Meyer Mandel were strong links in the chain of Superior’s leadership history. In...

1999

Superior received ISO 9002 Certification at the CMF culminating a process begun in 1997. After 45 years of service, Irving Stolberg was promoted to Vice President of the newly created Corporate Technical Service department. Jim Feeney was promoted to the position of Regional Manager for the Northeast and Mid-West Regions.

1998

Harvey R. Brice was awarded the prestigious Ault Award for outstanding contributions to the industry by NAPIM. Michael R. Brice became a member of the Executive Committee. Anthony DiGesu was promoted to Sales Vice President. CMF took over the entire 35,000 sq. ft. Hamden facility. The Hamden branch moved out of the location they shared with the CMF into a new 10,000 sq. ft. facility in North Haven, Connecticut. Superior...

1997

Michael R. Brice was entrusted with the additional responsibilities of New York Regional Manager. Nathan Rosen retired after over 60 years of service. Superior mourned the passing of Fred Schneider. Sal Moscuzza received NAPIM’s Technical Achievement Award. Ronald Saltzman retired. Bulk production of stock items in Hamden reached levels requiring an independent management structure to operate. The CMF became a separate organization within the Hamden branch. The Carlstadt, New Jersey...

1996

The Buffalo branch relocated to a new 8,000 sq. ft. facility in Cheektowaga, New York. Production in the Hamden facility reached a level requiring the use of an outside warehouse facility to handle the volume. Designated the Warehouse and Distribution Center (WDC), it stores and distributes finished goods made in Hamden to the other branches. The bulk manufacturing portion of Hamden was designated the Central Manufacturing Facility (CMF). It incorporates...

1995

Superior mourned the passing of Joseph M. Simons. Superior purchased Americolor and its' building in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and established it as a new branch office. Additionally, Superior acquired Midwest Printing Ink, which became the Kalamazoo branch. Michael R. Brice was promoted to Corporate Vice President. Superior established a Department of Reengineering under the leadership of Sal Moscuzza. This department led the effort to design and implement changes in Central Manufacturing,...

1994

Superior relocated the Chicago branch to a 28,300 sq. ft. facility in Addison, Illinois. The new facility supports growth opportunities for both the Superior and Spinks offices, which share the facility.

1993

Joseph M. Simons received the NAPIM Printing Ink Pioneer Award. Continuing the service station concept, the Greensboro, North Carolina, location opened as a satellite of the Charlotte branch. Superior purchased R.W. Rexford of Philadelphia, PA. The Rexford operation was merged with Superior’s Maple Shade branch.

1992

Superior mourned the passing of Meyer Mandel. Gotham Ink and Color Company of New York relocated to a 25,000 sq. ft. building in Stony Point, New York, that was used by the previous owner to manufacture paint. The building was fully equipped with the latest safety and environmental requirements. Superior purchased the sales and inventory of Rexart Chemical Corporation of Jersey City, New Jersey.Using a new expansion philosophy to penetrate...

1991

Harvey R. Brice was elected President of NAPIM.

1990

Superior Printing Ink Company, Inc. reorganized. Nathan Rosen, Joseph Simons, and Meyer Mandel relinquished their titles of President, Executive Vice President and Secretary, Vice President and Treasurer, respectively, and became Managing Directors. New Officers Jeffrey I. Simons - Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer Harvey R. Brice - President, Chief Operating Officer Stanley R. Hittman - Executive Vice President Harold Rubin - Corporate Vice President of Finance & Administration...

1989

Superior purchased the assets of American Offset Printing Ink of Jacksonville. This became the Jacksonville branch, located in a 5,000 sq. ft. building. Superior opened the Cleveland branch in a 4,000 sq. ft. building in Valley View, Ohio.

1987

Superior relocated the Philadelphia branch to a 19,200 sq. ft. building on two acres of land in Maple Shade, New Jersey. Harvey R. Brice received a NAPIM Printing Ink Pioneer Award

1986

Gotham purchased Colora Printing Inks and merged it into the Long Island City operation. Superior premiered the new Super Tech technology, solidifying our leadership position in the sheet fed marketplace and ensuring continuous growth into the next millennium. Superior purchased all the issued and outstanding stock of J. H. and G. B. Siebold Inc. Production was taken over by Superior, New York.

1985

Superior established a Chicago branch. In 1987, a larger facility was acquired in Schiller Park, Illinois. It was further expanded in 1990. Michael R. Brice joined Superior as a trainee, representing the fourth generation. Gotham purchased the Brady - Flaherty Ink Company and merged it into Gotham Ink of New England. Superior purchased all the assets of Warden Printing Ink and Chemical Company located in Yonkers, New York. The oil...

1984

Superior purchased Century Printing Ink and Consolidated Printers Supply. The two were merged and function as the Atlanta branch in a 10,000 sq. ft. building. Harold Rubin joins Superior as Controller.

1983

Superior purchased and moved into the facilities of Prescott Ink in Springfield, Massachusetts and operated it as the Springfield branch. Additional land and an adjoining building were purchased in 1984. Quality Varnish Corporation was sold to Covar Corporation.

1982

Superior purchased Baron Industries and merged it into the Hamden, Connecticut branch. Superior mourned the passing of Louis Pascuzzi. Stanley R. Hittman was appointed Manager of Branch Operations, succeeding Murray Blau.

1981

Superior moved to 70 Bethune Street.

1979

Superior purchased an 83,000 sq. ft. building at 70 Bethune Street, New York, facing the Hudson River. This building was to house Superior’s Corporate Headquarters and an expanded New York branch. Stanley R. Hittman joined Superior as Project Manager to oversee the renovation and subsequent move to 70 Bethune Street.

1976

Superior purchased Continental Printing Ink Company and its' building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and established it as a branch of Superior. Superior purchased Graphic-Color Inc. from Philip Shakespeare with manufacturing facilities in Boston, Massachusetts and Hamden, Connecticut. The Boston branch was merged into the Marlboro branch. The Hamden facility was maintained until 1979, when a 28,000 sq. ft. building and surrounding acreage located on Sherman Avenue was purchased for the expansion...

1973

Gotham of New York purchased additional space directly across the street from its Long Island City plant for additional raw material storage as well as office and laboratory facilities.

1972

Nathan Rosen was honored as the recipient of the Ault Award for outstanding achievement and service to the printing ink industry by the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM). Superior entered into an agreement with Allied Graphic Offset Supplies and Richard Shea as distributors of Superior Printing Inks in the state of Florida. Initially, the premises of Allied Offset in Hollywood, Florida were used as a warehouse. In 1973,...

1971

Meyer Mandel was elected a Vice-President in addition to Treasurer. Jeffrey I. Simons was elected Assistant Secretary and Vice President. Harvey R. Brice was also elected Vice-President. Superior purchased Gotham Ink and Color Company, a manufacturer of flexographic and rotogravure inks, from Samuel and Isabel Kantor. Mr. Kantor, a recognized authority on liquid inks, was retained to operate and manage Gotham. This acquisition played a significant role in the growth...