PrintingNews.com

In our continuing series exploring the minds of the movers and shakers of our industry, this week Felipe Mellado, chief marketing officer of Sun Chemical Corp., agreed to answer our questions.

PN: Tell me a little about your company, the segment of the market it serves, and who you consider to be your “core” users.

FM: Sun Chemical, a member of the DIC group, is the world’s largest producer of printing inks and pigments and a leading provider of materials to packaging, publication, coatings, plastics, cosmetics and other industrial markets including electronic materials, functional and specialty coatings, brand protection and product authentication technologies.

Sun Chemical has more than 10,000 employees supporting customers around the world. With a network of more than 250 locations in 56 countries, Sun Chemical employees work everyday to meet the needs of customers by improving performance on the essentials of business, such as reliable, on-time delivery and consistent product quality. Sun Chemical tailors solutions to unique market needs and brings new ideas and the latest technology to market.

Sun Chemical’s unparalleled global presence allows for the delivery of local service and support that is customized to the geographic markets it serves. Recognized as a leading source of innovation, Sun Chemical has 10 research and development centers that are focused on creating solutions that improve productivity, create new revenue opportunities for our customers, and contribute to a more sustainable, environmentally-friendly future.

In addition to its leadership in inks, coatings and pigments, Sun Chemical introduces new solutions that enable marketers to better manage their brand colors, protect product integrity through improvements in packaging, and introduce security features that defend against counterfeiting. Sun Chemical also creates innovations for digital printing applications, including inkjet printing systems for narrow web and corrugated printing as well as inkjet inks specifically formulated for LED curing.

PN: How did you get involved with the company? What is your background?

FM: Most of my professional career has been in the ink industry, which I joined in 1979 as a research chemist in the research and development center of Coates in the UK. I joined Sun Chemical in 1988, when they bought Prisma, an Spanish ink company partially owned by Coates.

I am a chemist by education, but through the years I have occupied multiple positions in R&D, operations, general management and marketing. I hold a master’s degree of business administration by the IESE Business School in Madrid, Spain.