A couple of plastics companies and their executives made headlines in their hometowns this weekend. Both are worth mentioning here.

First, Replex Plastics of Mount Vernon, Ohio, was named Small Business of the Year by the Mount Vernon-Knox County Chamber of Commerce. The company has had an eventful year; a fire in May destroyed the company's thermoforming plant. Fortunately, the firm owned space nearby, and quickly moved into its new home.

According to the Mount Vernon News story about the awards ceremony:

[Replex] not only recovered from the fire but grew. No employee lost a single day’s pay. Using their relationships with their peers and vendors, they borrowed space and equipment to continue to serve their customers.

The other award winner of note is John H. Schroeder, chairman and founder of Crescent Plastics Inc., Cresline Plastic Pipe Co. and Wabash Plastics of Evansville, Ind., who was inducted into the Evansville Business Hall of Fame.

Criteria for selection includes business excellence, courageous thinking and actions, vision and innovation, inspiring leadership, community involvement and actions as role models for future generations.

According to a news release announcing the award, Schroeder was one of the pioneers of the plastics industry that led to Evansville's reputation as a "Plastics Valley." He also is trustee emeritus of the University of Evansville and Wabash College, and director emeritus of Welborn Baptist Hospital.

Congratulations to both Replex and Schroeder for winning some postive headlines for the plastics industry.