About Arkay

OUR VISION

At Arkay we strive to be an indispensable graphic communications resource for our customers by driving innovation, superior quality, and exceptional service. We lead our associates with passion, integrity and a commitment to mutual profitability.
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INNOVATION​

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QUALITY

OUR HISTORY

In order to discover our company’s true identity, it is important to look at its origins, core beliefs and contributions to the field.

In a look-back to last century, CEO Mitchell Kaneff narrates this video portraying the arc of his family’s legacy through the years.

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Slick Playground
1

1920s

1920s

• Arkay opens its doors on the lower east side of Manhattan in 1922. The business was originally created by Max Kaneff and William Rayburn.

• Max Kaneff becomes the sole proprietor of Ar-Kay.

2

1930s-1940s

1930s-1940s

• Arkay prints booklets and information for the WWII war effort.

• Arkay is commercial printer to AT&T and labels for Helena Rubinstein, Coty, Lentheric and Playtex.

3

1950s

1950s

• Max’s son, Howard Kaneff, joins the business.

• Arkay is an early practitioner in submitting spectrophotometer graph printouts to establish color match standards for print production.

• Arkay is the first printing plant in the United States with a quality control function specifically tied to customer needs and standards.

4

1960s

1960s

• Arkay establishes a reputation for fine color printing, intricate embossing, stamping and finishing work in the manufacture of paper board packaging.

• Company name changed to Arkay Packaging Corporation.

• Max Kaneff passes away and Howard Kaneff becomes president.

• Arkay moves its plant to Hauppauge, Long Island, but the sales office remains in New York City.

5

1970s

1970s

• Arkay is the first company in the United States with computer die outlines for carton artwork and die-making production.

• Arkay sets up the first lighting booths for our customers (and us) to properly view color comparisons and improve color communication.

6

1980s

1980s

• Arkay systemizes and standardizes printing and drying equipment for inks and coatings.

• Develops mass production print reproduction methods for silk screening folding cartons.

• Offers in-house film lamination.

• First USA company to eliminate hand labor in setting up die cutting machines using mechanical counters and laser die boards – results in price reductions to customers.

• Mitchell Kaneff succeeds his father as the new president of Arkay Packaging.

7

1990s

1990s

• Mitchell Kaneff becomes CEO of Arkay.

• Establishes EDI Program with Estee Lauder for domestic and foreign cartons.

• Builds new manufacturing facility in Roanoke.

• Groundbreaking lithographic technology enables Arkay to give customers exact process.

• Grinnell Lithographic Company merges into Arkay Packaging Corp.

8

2000s

2000s

• Introduce cutting edge technologies: Interfoil™, Spectrum™ and Touch™.

• Roanoke, Virginia plant expands by 62,000 square feet.

• Awarded Estee Lauder 2008 Supplier Excellence Award.

• Named Vendor of the Year by Mary Kay four years running.

• Develops aperture lamination process.

• First in industry to develop and implement mica coatings on cosmetic cartons.

• Digital Imaging via ArtPro: intro of Kodak proofing system.

9

2010s

2010s

• Celebrate Nine Decades of Arkay!

• Awarded Estee Lauder 2008 Supplier Excellence Award.

• Awarded 2011 P&G Business Partner Excellence Award.

• Hollywood comes to Roanoke to film at Arkay plant.

• Partner with Taubman Museum for spectacular Saturdays.

10

2020s

2020s

• Hauppauge office moves into new space: Arkay Design Studio.

• CEO Mitchell Kaneff joins the Taubman Board of Directors.

• Awarded Partner of the Year by P&G.

• Arkay Packaging rebrands as Arkay with new logo.

• Arkay’s 100th Anniversary is celebrated in New York City and Roanoke.

• Chairman Emeritus Howard Kaneff passes away in 2022.