PRESS
RELEASES
NAGASA PRESENTS 1996 AWARDS
TO INDUSTRY LEADERS
Washington, DC, April, 1996 - NAGASA, the North American Graphic Arts Suppliers Association, honored several prominent graphic communications industry leaders at its recent annual meeting.
The association's Mullan award-presented annually to individuals who best exemplify the association's goals-was given to Stanley E. Freimuth, President, Fuji Photo Film USA Industrial Imaging Markets Group, and to John L. "Jack" Murphy, President, The Murphy Company. Freimuth was commended by NAGASA president David Steinhardt for pioneering in the development of innovative approaches to dealer-manufacturer partnerships. Murphy was also congratulated by Steinhardt for continuing and enhancing a successful graphic arts dealership started by his father in central Ohio nearly 50 years ago. In presenting the awards, Steinhardt commented: "Stan Freimuth has strengthened the dealer channel by adopting the NAGASA model contract and by protecting geographic territories. He is highly regarded throughout the channel, even by dealers who do not handle Fuji products. Jack Murphy has exemplified quality graphic arts distribution through good times and bad by encouraging customer loyalty through service rather than by simply lowering prices. He stands as a model of how good graphic arts distribution operates."
The association's Favat award, given for exemplary service to NAGASA, was presented to Duane H. Cook, EDI Coordinator of Eastman Kodak, and to D. James Purcell, President of Jetcom, a PrimeSource Company. NAGASA president and CEO Steinhardt, in presenting the awards said: "Duane Cook and Jim Purcell represent the best in the contributions that manufacturers and dealers make to NAGASA. Duane Cook showed remarkable leadership in spearheading the NAGASA electronic commerce initiative and developing transaction sets between major manufacturers and dealers. Jim Purcell-the first secretary/treasurer of NAGASA, and the person who was instrumental in putting NAGASA on a firm financial footing-has been active in the organization since its founding. Jim really cares about NAGASA and is always willing to devote time and effort to strengthening the channel." The award commemorates John S. Favat, Sr., the graphic arts industry publishing leader who died in 1994.
The association also presented, for the first time, its Innovator Award, to recognize innovative practices in the graphic communications channel. Eric London, President, London Litho; Thomas Stine, Executive Vice President, Luminous Corporation (formerly Adobe Systems Prepress Group); and Stuart Simon, President, Lithco, each received the award. London was recognized for demonstrating that graphic communications dealers can successfully distribute high technology products. Stine was recognized for his successful use of the dealer channel to distribute Adobe (now Luminous) products, and for demonstrating that graphic communications dealers can be used to gain broad distribution. Simon received the award for providing dealers with a broad array of products and for his integrity and continued support of the dealer channel.
NAGASA-the North American Graphic Arts Suppliers Association-is the world's largest trade association representing graphic communications dealers, distributors, VARs and the manufacturers whose products they sell. Collectively, NAGASA members sell more than $2 billion of graphic communications equipment, supplies, systems, software and service each year. The association is an open, noncommercial, noncompetitive forum in which members can discuss issues critical to their individual businesses and the effectiveness of the marketing channel. With nearly 350 members, NAGASA produces programs which build stronger alliances and streamline costs and operations within the channel. Manufacturers are encouraged by the organization to sell products through the graphic communications distribution channel. In addition, the association produces technical and business performance information through standards, statistical, educational and publishing services.