Kerry Pianoforte, Editor
J. Lawrence (Larry) Robinson has retired as president of the Color Pigments Manufacturers Association, Inc. (CPMA) at the end of June after thirty-eight years with the association. The organization, which represents
the North American color pigments industry,
moved its offices from Alexandria, Virginia,
to Washington, DC.
Robinson joined CPMA in 1976 and led
the group, which was founded in 1925, as its
first full-time chief staff executive. With the
continuing growth of the federal government
and the resulting fact that Washington was
having a dominant role in the Association’s
and its members’ activities, the decision was
reached to establish the CPMA headquarters in the Washington, DC area in the late
1970’s. Robinson had previously served in
the Commerce Department, been on the staff
of a US Congressman, and managed several
Washington, DC based trade associations.
When asked what he most enjoyed about working at CPMA,
Robinson said, “That’s easy: the people. In my career in association management there is no doubt that the CPMA Board over
the years, the management and technical personnel serving the
association and others involved in the North American color pigments industry were the most outstanding that I have encountered in any association, and I worked for several, and with many
others! It was the people in this industry that contributed most
to my staying with CPMA for almost forty years. I have many
fond memories of these individuals, and will always value them.”
Through his forty years in the industry Robinson has witnessed many changes.
“The biggest change in the industry is one that is not unique
to CPMA, but has been encountered by most manufacturing in-
dustries over the past couple of decades – consolidation of com-
panies,” said Robinson. “Trade associations depend on their
members, and as a result of company consolidations, there are
fewer companies to contribute dues, fewer individuals to serve
on committees, and fewer people to take part in association
activities. Fortunately, although CPMA has been victim to this
like most associations, we have been able to adapt and still serve
the members with the programs they need and desire.”
“Associations are a very unique American
institution,” he added. “Alexis de Toqueville
wrote of their uniqueness in the mid-seven-
teenth century, and they continue to be fairly
unique to America . Another change in the
pigments industry has been the increased
number of new foreign companies now in
the North American marketplace. Many
of these companies do not appreciate the
value of trade associations, and the result has
been to leave the North American companies
and those non-North American companies
that have long been involved in the North
American market with the burden of carrying
the full weight of dealing with regulation, an
area where associations excel. Consolidation,
if it continues, and a lack of appreciation by
many foreign companies of the value of joint effort by associa-
tions, will be the biggest challenges to the future of CPMA.”
“Larry has done a great job in leading the CPMA for many
years,” said Myron Petruch, president, Performance Pigments
and Electronics Materials at Sun Chemical Corporation. “He
is a wonderful person; well liked and respected by all. Larry is
the ultimate professional. He is extremely effective in bringing
together and working with a broad array of people and govern-
ment agencies to get meaningful and tangible results. Larry’s
contributions to CPMA and its member companies have been
tremendous and we will miss him.”
“I’ve worked with Larry Robinson over my 30 year asso-
ciation with CPMA and have always respected his leadership
and wisdom,” said Dave Klebine, president of Apollo Colors.
“He guided our trade association through many very difficult
issues over the years. His knowledge of the regulatory process
Long-time CPMA president retired at the end of June.
Larry Robinson to Retire from Color
Pigments Manufacturers Association
