The Book Manufacturers’ Institute (BMI – Ormond Beach, Florida) has announced the recipients of its Distinguished Master Bookman Award and its Signature Award. The honours, presented recently at the organization’s Awards Banquet at its Fall Annual Conference in Sanibel, Florida, recognize BMI members who not only contribute to the success of the organization, but also to the continued success of the book manufacturing industry as a whole. “This industry is blessed with many people who are amazing at what they do, while also showing a genuine love for book manufacturing and the printed book itself,” said Matt Baehr, Executive Director of BMI. “These individuals are a perfect example of that.”
The Distinguished Master Bookman Award, given to a BMI member who’s made “an extraordinary contribution to the book manufacturing industry throughout a long career,” was won by Mike Collinge of Marquis Book Printing (Montmagny, Quebec), Canada’s largest book manufacturer. Collinge is an active leader and advocate for the publishing industry Here and south of the border, and has served on the BMI Board for 14 years, and was the organization’s President from 2011 to 2013. He’s also held leadership roles with the Canadian Book and Periodical Council, the Canadian Book Manufacturer’s Association CEO Global, and the Canadian Printing Industries Scholarship Trust Fund.
The Signature Award (given to a BMI member who’s made a valued contribution to the welfare of the industry and/or the Institute through the display of superior leadership qualities on an issue of particular concern to the industry, or for exhibiting such qualities over an extended period of time) was won by Jim Kaeli, who recently retired from Muller Martini, where he held several senior management roles – most recently as Manager for Hardcover and Softcover Book Technology Solutions for North America. Kaeli joined R. R. Donnelley in 1981 as a Project Engineer and worked in several manufacturing divisions with management responsibilities for bindery operations, engineering and maintenance, and information systems, before joining Müller Martini in 2001. At the BMI, he served as a Director and as a member of the Program and Membership Committees. He joined the BMI in 2001 and has been a constant presence at its meetings ever since.
Collinge and Kaeli earn Book Manufacturers’ Institute Awards
