David Savastano, Contributing Editor
For more than 40 years, Micro Powders, Inc. (MPI) has been developing and manufacturing specialty micron- ized waxes, wax dispersions and emulsions for the
paint, printing ink, coatings, and personal care markets. Today, the family-owned company offers more than 200
innovative products.
Warren Pushaw has been with Micro
Powders for more than 30 years. He
started with MPI back in 1982, beginning
on the technical side, and became the
company’s president in 2005. In April, he
will be retiring; however, he will remain
on the company’s board of directors. His
decision to join MPI came as a result of
his friendship with Jim Strauss, the company’s founder and current chairman of
the board.
“I was working at Equitable Bag in
Long Island City as an ink chemist, and
Jim Strauss was my salesman,” Pushaw
recalled. “We hit it off, and needless to
say, the rest is history. I went from techni-
cal to U.S. domestic sales and technical director, and in 2005,
added president to my duties.”
At the time he started, MPI was located in Yonkers, NY.
The company eventually moved to Scarsdale, NY and then to
Tarrytown, NY 22 years ago.
Pushaw noted that the waxes and additives industry has
changed a lot since 1982.
“The waxes and additives industry has changed over the
years,” he said. “The ink industry shifted from offset to flexo
and water-based inks and digital inks, and we have been able
to quickly react to these changes. We have grown from inks to
paints and cosmetics.
“One area of change has been the development and growth of
environmentally friendly ink and paint formulations,” Pushaw add-
ed. “We’ve been able to do all sorts of great things to waterborne
systems. There are really no limits to water-based systems due to
the surfactants. We have a great business model. We’ve been able
to build something I can believe in, and I believe in our products.”
Pushaw said that he has had a number of influences while at
MPI, beginning with Jim Strauss, custom-
ers and distributors.
“Jim Strauss, our chairman of the
board, has been great to work with,”
Pushaw said. “Our customers and dis-
tributors have been important influences
to me. You can always learn from people
who have had success, and good custom-
ers are fun to work with.”
Now that he is retiring, Pushaw an-
ticipates having time to enjoy family
life and hobbies. He and his wife of 40
years, Elizabeth, have three daughters
and four grandchildren.
“My plans are to move to
Pennsylvania with Elizabeth, do some
traveling around the U.S., and also race
my car,” Pushaw added.
As Pushaw moves on, he says the company is in good hands, with Gary Strauss
and Deena Strauss Kornblau taking over as MPI’s leaders and
the company bringing in lots of talented newcomers.
“The next generation, Gary and Deena, are taking over
now,” Pushaw said. “Gary is president and COO, and Deena is
CEO. They have been working at MPI for numerous years and
are well prepared to take over.”
Overall, Pushaw said that that working at Micro Powders
has been a tremendous experience.
“It has been a fun ride,” Pushaw concluded. “I love problem
solving, and I’ve worked with a lot of really good customers
around the world. At smaller companies, you are responsible for
what you do. For me, one highlight has been the ability to play
a large role in the growth of our company. We are nowhere near
to what we were like 40 years ago. Now we are 20 times bigger
than what we were, and it’s been an absolute pleasure to be a
part of the Micro Powders’ family.” CW
Micro Powders’ Warren Pushaw
Reflects on Waxes and Additives
Industry, Looks Ahead to Retirement
