Nilpeter has announced that Paul Teachout, vice president of sales and marketing at Nilpeter USA, was named TLMI’s 2017 Supplier of the Year at the TLMI Annual Meeting held October 8-11, at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Gainey Ranch Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, AZ.

Lisa Milburn gave the presentation speech and emphasized Teachout’s tireless work with TLMI and other industry organizations, as well as his efforts in workforce development, sharing his knowledge with the next generation of label and packaging printers.

”The recipient of this year’s Supplier of the Year Award has over 35 years of industry leadership experience,” said Millburn. “(He) has been active with many educational activities and has sat on several committees, including the TLMI Awards Committee since 1998…the Technical and Marketing Committees, and is a frequent speaker at converter meetings, including Print Think and the annual awards.

”He is regarded as a thought leader in the industry, having authored numerous technical papers and whitepapers for many publications. He is frequently called upon by other suppliers to offer industry insight,” she added. ”A passion of his has been supporting continuous efforts to drive workforce developments, and for the past 10 years he has worked with high school and college students through the Phoenix Challenge Foundation – High School Competition. The recipient also sits on the advisory board of the Central Piedmont Community College’s Harper Campus, where his son is currently studying Graphic Communications. He was a key driver behind the (Nilpeter) donation of a new press at Clemson University and was awarded the Clemson University Top Cat Award in 2017 for years of support to the Graphics Communications Program.”

Teachout was thrilled to accept the award, offering thanks to his many colleagues and friends in the industry. ”Thank you very, very much. A few weeks ago when Craig (Moreland, TLMI chairman) called me and left me a message, I said ‘Oh boy, I’m going to sell a press today,’ and then when I called him back the first thing he said was ‘I don’t want to buy a press, this is a TLMI thing.’ I thought I had him there for a second.

”My father got me started in this a long time ago, and I remember – perhaps the most important thing that ever happened to me, was back when I was an apprentice on an offset press. I’m running a job, he came and looked at it, and he looked at the register and asked, ‘What is that?’ – I said, ‘It’s good enough,” and the look that he gave me that day changed my life. He said, ‘Son, if you think good enough is good enough, you’re never going to overachieve,’ and from that day forward I’ve done everything I can to be better than just good enough.

”I have three beautiful children and a beautiful wife. I’m a proud husband and father for the last 25 years, and I couldn’t have done it without ‘Ms. America.’ Thank you so much. This organization has been the best thing that’s ever happened in my career, the people and the organization itself, just outstanding. Continue to contribute, and engage, and volunteer and participate – you will not be disappointed.”