PMA Global, a managed services company for sourcing print and promotional goods, has lost its chairman Philip Okill, who passed away on 2 August.
Okill was a visionary leader who transformed PMA Global from a small Sydney office with its first order being a box of business cards for the tradesman who connected the electricity, into a global supply chain and logistics business, delivering innovative print, promotional, and warehousing solutions across multiple countries.
Okill first joined the print industry in 1974 as a sales rep for Lamson Paragon.
During his 14 years there, he saw how print brokers were starting to take hold of the North American market and recognised the opportunity for Australia to be one of the first to set up an independent print management operation.
That prompted him and three of his colleagues to open the doors to Print Management Services, as they were then known, in 1988 with offices in Leichhardt and the Brisbane suburb of Bowen Hills.
The four of them worked together until 2003. It was then that Okill acquired 100 per cent the company, which became PMA Solutions.
The company’s growth led to a number of office moves. Growing into a larger site in NSW, then expanding into Brisbane and Melbourne, Okill had big plans for the business in vision.
In 2008, PMA Solutions opened its offices in Penang, Malaysia, then bought into New Zealand by acquiring Trio in 2011. In 2014, it opened up shop in Brazil, then the Philippines.
In 2015, the business rebranded itself as PMA Global in line with a worldwide expansion plan that included South America, which Okill mentioned in 2013, when the company celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Okill leaves behind a legacy of integrity, client dedication, and industry leadership that will not be forgotten.
He was laid to rest on 7 August and a farewell funeral ceremony will be held on 29 August at 12.30pm, at the St Peter’s Church in Lindfield, NSW, to honour and celebrate his life.
Following the service, a wake will be held at 2.30pm at Killara Golf Club in NSW.
All who knew Okill are invited to attend, share memories, and join his family in celebrating a life that made a profound contribution to the industry.
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