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Processor of the Year

MOST-READ STORIES

North American suppliers report shortages of polyethylene and ABS March 12, 2010
A123 signs auto battery deal March 15, 2010
Superb vision brings Ohio molder success despite the recession March 12, 2010
IBM and Stanford tout catalysts for creating recyclable, biodegradable polymers March 11, 2010
Recycling plant to help AERT control costs March 11, 2010

MOST E-MAILED STORIES

North American suppliers report shortages of polyethylene and ABS March 12, 2010
Superb vision brings Ohio molder success despite the recession March 12, 2010
Danafilms doubling Ky. plant size, adding W&H extruder March 12, 2010
Forward thinkers: Skills take GW from automotive into medical March 16, 2010
Pallet maker Greystone forms recycling division March 11, 2010

Perspectives

How to submit a Perspective

Making use of R&D tax credit

The R&D tax credit is a powerful incentive for activities that nearly every company in the plastics industry is performing, such as improving efficiency, reducing raw material cost, minimizing waste, designing and/or improving tools and equipment, and automating processes. Unfortunately, while the largest companies have always used this powerful tax incentive, many small and midsize companies are completely unaware that they would qualify.

Be at home with sustainability

Sustainability is hot. Everyone’s talking about it. Seminars and conferences galore are dedicated to it. Wal-Mart is even developing a “Sustainability Index” for its products. It affects every industry and arguably every manager. But what exactly does it mean? And what, if anything, is your company or trade association doing about it?

IP remains big issue in China

Stung by slower growth in the United States and Europe, or maybe just attracted by rising markets in Asia, smaller firms like toy makers are strategizing about whether they can tap into growing consumer wealth in China, particularly in coastal cities like Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen. But intellectual property protection remains a big issue.

Mooney wants more-relevant PN agenda

With all due respect, I don’t believe it’s appropriate or in any way informative to continually “restate and update” the Plastics News agenda, first published in 2001 and essentially repeated every year since. The North American plastics industry is emerging truly shaken from the most tumultuous decade in its history.

Innovation fuels growth, profit

The plastics industry has been challenged with an unprecedented series of economic events, changes in the availability of credit and the highest level of national and international competition ever. These challenges combined to create huge new innovation opportunities. The ability to grow via conventional methods still works in these times, when coupled with an outstanding level of customer service, salesmanship and needs that can be met with existing product technologies.

Social PR creates credibility

In the last few years there has been much ado about Web 2.0, social media, social networks and the like buzzing around marketing circles. For the industrial marketers I’ve worked with there seem to be mixed feelings about incorporating this new medium into their firms’ marketing plans. So, how do you put social media and its technologically interactive cousins to work for you?

Robots: a lesson in US history

Plastics News’ China Web site recently published two automation-related stories: “North American robot sales shrink in 2009,” and “Fanuc building new factory in Shanghai.” The stories made me think about the relationship between U.S. jobs, China and robots.

Pushing boundaries is par for the course

A few weeks ago in Indianapolis, Peter Mooney said something that was both insightful and provocative. "It took [General Electric Co.] 15 years and $50 million to make Ultem [polyetherimide] profitable," Mooney said at the event, hosted by the Manufacturers Association for Plastics Processors. "Who’s going to do that now? Who will come up with another commodity thermoplastic or thermoset resin?" he asked.

Consider 'cost of distance' in supply-chain logistics

The wildcat strike at an Indian parts plant that shut two assembly plants in North America this fall brought to mind an old Czech contact, Ladislav Glogar. Glogar has a firsthand philosophy about long supply chains. He calls it the “cost of distance.”

Room is testament to Drienik’s qualities

When you first step out into the manufacturing area at R&D/ Leverage (formerly known as R&D Tool and Engineering) to take a tour, you can’t help but stop and be amazed at a small 10-foot-by-10-foot room filled with pictures, a surface grinder and a decorative metal sign bearing the words “Ivan’s Doorway to Opportunity, His Gift to Us.”

Creative finance can minimize default risks

While credit remains extremely tight, the economy is showing signs of recovery. But instead of sighing relief, processors should be more vigilant than ever.

Plastics selection vital to avoid failure

It’s quite simple for anybody to design a plastic part, to some extent, but to make an effective design with a good knowledge of injection mold design, function and process are prerequisites for standard design skills.

Chicago wins with social media

I was a big fan of Chicago newspaper columnist Mike Royko, so I’m quite familiar with stories about political chicanery and election-fixing in the Windy City. So it was amusing for me two weeks ago to watch the results of a poll on PlasticsNews.com that asked readers, “Would you prefer to attend NPE 2012 in Chicago or Orlando, Fla.?”

Mold builders' conversations: then, now

Most mold builders — technology enthusiasts who don’t crave the limelight — do not nominate themselves or their companies for recognition. But recognize we must, for it is not only good for those receiving acknowledgment from their peers, it also shows the standard of excellence that is now prevalent in this industry.

Recycling brings man celebrity

As a packaging guy and a former participant on the Solid Waste Council, I know fact from fiction. One day while listening to a radio program, I heard an author perpetuating the perspective (born of both emotion and ignorance) for the average consumer that “Plastic is bad.” He was hitting below the (money) belt, and it was time to fight back.

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