Executive Forum 2009 News Stories
Presenters offer tips
for survival & growth
during challenging times |
 |
If done properly, tapping new markets can yield new business
SUMMERLIN, NEV. (March 27, 3:55 p.m. ET) -- Cracking into a new market takes time, effort and focus, according to consultant Brian Jones, the former head
of Nypro Inc., and Brenan Riehl, president and CEO of Vermont-based custom molder GW Plastics Inc. The tough economy has prompted many processors to look
for new direction — often in the more recession-resistant markets of medical and packaging.
(
See related video.)
Real bloodletting yet to begin, Mengel suggests
SUMMERLIN, NEV. (March 23, 11 a.m. ET) -- Analyst Jeff Mengel of Plante & Moran PLLC thinks about 15 percent of North American plastics processors could
enter bankruptcy liquidation during the next 18 months - that's around 1,000 companies. Debt leverage will be the big reason. He said a whopping 360,000
molds will be moving around by mid-2010. Of that total, two-thirds will come from liquidated companies; customers will move another 120,000 tools to
stronger suppliers. (
See related video.)
A molder's tale: Hoop Roche recounts the good, bad, ugly
SUMMERLIN, NEV. (March 23, 10:50 a.m. ET) -- Don't blame Hoop Roche if he breaks out in a cold sweat at the mention of the year 2008. Last year was a
nightmare for Roche. His company, Erie Plastics Corp., folded and its assets were sold in bankruptcy court. For the first time publicly, Roche shared the
story of how the 48-year-old injection molding firm ran into trouble.
In downturn, keep a close eye on links in your supply chain
SUMMERLIN, NEV. (March 23, 10:35 a.m. ET) -- These days, plastics processors and suppliers are dealing with a much bigger challenge - dealing with
companies in their supply chain that are in financial trouble. A pair of lawyers, Will Kohn and Deborah Thorne, spoke at the Plastics News Executive Forum
about how to minimize supply-chain disruptions caused by the recession and collapse of Wall Street lending.
M&A veterans urge use of creative options in 2009
SUMMERLIN, NEV. (March 23, 10:10 a.m. ET) -- Creativity will be a must in order to get plastics mergers and acquisitions deals done in 2009, according to
Joe Klunk, president and CEO of diversified custom processor Parkway Products Inc. in Florence, Ky. Moderated by Matt Jamison, managing director at P&M
Corporate Finance LLC, the Executive Forum's M&A panel included officials from Exopack Holding Corp., Wind Point Partners and GE Commercial Finance.
Economists forecast grim first half for US industry
SUMMERLIN, NEV. (March 23, 9:55 a.m. ET) -- Economists James Meil from Eaton Corp. and Peter Mooney from Plastics Custom Research Services surprisingly
didn't ask for blindfolds and cigarettes before speaking at the 2009 Plastics News Executive Forum in Summerlin. But the views they presented were grim
nonetheless. (
See related video from their joint Q&A session.)
PP resin faces sustained decline, serious oversupply
SUMMERLIN, NEV. (March 23, 9:40 a.m. ET) - The North American polypropylene market is going on a crash diet, while the engineering resins field just wants
to eat healthier. That was the menu-making advice from resin and compound veterans Joe Congdon of Townsend Solutions and Craig Nikrant of PolyOne Corp.,
who spoke at the Plastics News Executive Forum.
Resin buyers seek out cost-saving strategies, solutions
SUMMERLIN, NEV. (March 23, 9:35 a.m. ET) -- The volatility of resin pricing throughout 2008 made life difficult for resin buyers like Bill Bartlett, Jerry
Esposito and Chris Hatzenbuhler. The three executives shared war stories on a panel at the 2009 Plastics News Executive Forum.
