Dave Savastano, Editor05.13.16
While he was in high school, Robert Lu, COO of Ink Systems, took a tour of Ink Systems’ plant. He was asked if he wanted to join the company, and he decided to “try it out.”
“At one point during my last year of high school, I was extended an open invitation to tour Ink Systems’ plant,” Lu said. “Several months later, one day after class, I put on a tie and drove to Ink Systems for a quick tour. After the tour, I chatted with a couple of managers, and they asked me when I was going to start working for the company.”
“I hadn’t decided up to that point if I wanted to go to college full time after high school,” he continued. “I decided then that if I went to college full time, I would end up with a diploma and debt. If I went to work full time and go to college part time, I would end up with a college degree, no debt, some work experience and a little bit of money to spend and invest. That’s when I agreed to ‘try it out.’”
Now, 27 years later, Lu is a recipient of the 2016 Printing Ink Pioneer Award, and has been involved in all facets of the ink industry.
“From the beginning, they assigned me to work at Anderson Lithograph’s ink room, one of the company’s largest in-plant operations at that time,” said Lu. “My initial duties were mainly clerical and administrative. After a couple of months, I started mixing ink on the glass slabs and color matching, as well as learning the technical facets of ink and the science of color spectrophotometry.”
“Ink Systems provided 24/7 services inside the customer’s facility,” he added. “Consequently, I was able to gain incredible scope of knowledge by working directly with the customer and their clients in all phases of printing, including pre-press, estimating, production, press room, sales team and accounting department.”
After working for nearly 10 years at Anderson Lithograph’s ink room, Lu was given the opportunity to work at Ink Systems’ headquarters, where he has branched out into managerial operations.
“I was put in charge of configuring computer systems and developing custom software for the entire company,” he said. “At the same time, I took on additional responsibilities for the company’s overall environmental, health and safety compliance, including building/permitting applications, and other governmental regulatory matters, as well as human resources, and accounting/finance. These roles were invaluable in preparing me with the technical and managerial skills necessary to take on the wider range of executive management responsibilities and day-to-day operations for the company.”
Over the years, Lu has helped develop ANSI standards for ink manufacturing equipment, and assisted OSHA with equipment prototyping and design. For the Printing Industries of America (PIA), he negotiated with the EPA, AQMD, FDA, OSHA, DTSC, DOT and other local and state municipalities to ensure regulatory compliance and approval with legislative and enforcement policies.
Lu noted that Urban Hirsch III, founder of Ink Systems, is one of the major influences in his career.
“About 20 years ago, Urban had gifted a book to me titled ‘Buffettology.’ The book proved to be one of the most indispensable gifts I have ever received,” Lu said. “It was my introduction to Mr. Warren Buffett (CEO and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway). I look to Mr. Buffett as a model of rectitude, leadership, and philanthropy. Gleaning from his wisdom has fundamentally shaped my long-term approach to business and has helped me immeasurably as an investor.”
“Similarly, I consider Urban to be a mentor and someone I look to as a fatherly figure,” he added. “His business acumen, incisiveness and advice over the years have been the most influential in my work life. It comes down to these simple principles: attract business partners who are compatible in investment objectives and that are able to function as a close-knit group; building capital over time for those involved, and having fun while doing it. Oh, and if you charge more than what it costs to produce, you get to stick around longer.”
“In all these years, Robert has always represented Ink Systems very well – upholding the company’s brand and reputation,” Hirsch said. “Robert has been at the forefront in helping the industry to navigate through some very tough environmental and regulatory hurdles. His long-standing contributions and support merit recognition by the industry. Robert is well deserving of the award.”
Lu has indeed attended college part time, earning his bachelor’s and MBA degrees.
“When I first joined Ink Systems, I was still in high school,” he said. “It took working for more than half of my life to finish college. In a way, pursuing my education has been the hobby, so to speak, that I had time for outside of work. I finally finished my bachelor’s degree in finance at Loyola Marymount University and earned my MBA at the University of Southern California-Marshall School of Business. I may be ‘edumacated’ beyond my abilities now. I think I probably need a new hobby.”
Lu said that he is very honored to receive the Pioneer Award.
“After the awards banquet, as I met and spoke with the many friends and colleagues in the industry, I was very touched by their commendations,” Lu concluded. “I felt a sense of belonging and community. It also made me very nostalgic to think that it has been over 27 years since the day I walked into Ink System’ plant. It’s kind of like being married to your high school sweetheart – you can’t help but have a special place in your heart for that.”
“At one point during my last year of high school, I was extended an open invitation to tour Ink Systems’ plant,” Lu said. “Several months later, one day after class, I put on a tie and drove to Ink Systems for a quick tour. After the tour, I chatted with a couple of managers, and they asked me when I was going to start working for the company.”
“I hadn’t decided up to that point if I wanted to go to college full time after high school,” he continued. “I decided then that if I went to college full time, I would end up with a diploma and debt. If I went to work full time and go to college part time, I would end up with a college degree, no debt, some work experience and a little bit of money to spend and invest. That’s when I agreed to ‘try it out.’”
Now, 27 years later, Lu is a recipient of the 2016 Printing Ink Pioneer Award, and has been involved in all facets of the ink industry.
“From the beginning, they assigned me to work at Anderson Lithograph’s ink room, one of the company’s largest in-plant operations at that time,” said Lu. “My initial duties were mainly clerical and administrative. After a couple of months, I started mixing ink on the glass slabs and color matching, as well as learning the technical facets of ink and the science of color spectrophotometry.”
“Ink Systems provided 24/7 services inside the customer’s facility,” he added. “Consequently, I was able to gain incredible scope of knowledge by working directly with the customer and their clients in all phases of printing, including pre-press, estimating, production, press room, sales team and accounting department.”
After working for nearly 10 years at Anderson Lithograph’s ink room, Lu was given the opportunity to work at Ink Systems’ headquarters, where he has branched out into managerial operations.
“I was put in charge of configuring computer systems and developing custom software for the entire company,” he said. “At the same time, I took on additional responsibilities for the company’s overall environmental, health and safety compliance, including building/permitting applications, and other governmental regulatory matters, as well as human resources, and accounting/finance. These roles were invaluable in preparing me with the technical and managerial skills necessary to take on the wider range of executive management responsibilities and day-to-day operations for the company.”
Over the years, Lu has helped develop ANSI standards for ink manufacturing equipment, and assisted OSHA with equipment prototyping and design. For the Printing Industries of America (PIA), he negotiated with the EPA, AQMD, FDA, OSHA, DTSC, DOT and other local and state municipalities to ensure regulatory compliance and approval with legislative and enforcement policies.
Lu noted that Urban Hirsch III, founder of Ink Systems, is one of the major influences in his career.
“About 20 years ago, Urban had gifted a book to me titled ‘Buffettology.’ The book proved to be one of the most indispensable gifts I have ever received,” Lu said. “It was my introduction to Mr. Warren Buffett (CEO and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway). I look to Mr. Buffett as a model of rectitude, leadership, and philanthropy. Gleaning from his wisdom has fundamentally shaped my long-term approach to business and has helped me immeasurably as an investor.”
“Similarly, I consider Urban to be a mentor and someone I look to as a fatherly figure,” he added. “His business acumen, incisiveness and advice over the years have been the most influential in my work life. It comes down to these simple principles: attract business partners who are compatible in investment objectives and that are able to function as a close-knit group; building capital over time for those involved, and having fun while doing it. Oh, and if you charge more than what it costs to produce, you get to stick around longer.”
“In all these years, Robert has always represented Ink Systems very well – upholding the company’s brand and reputation,” Hirsch said. “Robert has been at the forefront in helping the industry to navigate through some very tough environmental and regulatory hurdles. His long-standing contributions and support merit recognition by the industry. Robert is well deserving of the award.”
Lu has indeed attended college part time, earning his bachelor’s and MBA degrees.
“When I first joined Ink Systems, I was still in high school,” he said. “It took working for more than half of my life to finish college. In a way, pursuing my education has been the hobby, so to speak, that I had time for outside of work. I finally finished my bachelor’s degree in finance at Loyola Marymount University and earned my MBA at the University of Southern California-Marshall School of Business. I may be ‘edumacated’ beyond my abilities now. I think I probably need a new hobby.”
Lu said that he is very honored to receive the Pioneer Award.
“After the awards banquet, as I met and spoke with the many friends and colleagues in the industry, I was very touched by their commendations,” Lu concluded. “I felt a sense of belonging and community. It also made me very nostalgic to think that it has been over 27 years since the day I walked into Ink System’ plant. It’s kind of like being married to your high school sweetheart – you can’t help but have a special place in your heart for that.”