Plastics News recently posted a fun video on TikTok. "We're Plastics News reporters, of course we are going to ask you about your plastics business."
The idea inspired me. I'm the Plastics News rankings researcher, and of course I'm going to ask you for sales and production figures.
As I compile our rankings throughout the year, I get a ton of positive feedback. Everyone is looking at these lists. And by everyone I mean it. Financial firms, M&A consultants, processors, material firms, additives companies, equipment makers, suppliers, recruiters and customers.
So, you found your company in one of our rankings and you don't remember giving us those numbers. How did that happen?
Everyone in the industry wants to know who the players are and how much each process contributes to the whole plastics market. You've probably asked that question in one form or another since you started your business. We appreciate each and every number we get, even ballpark estimates help.
However, occasionally I hear from someone who didn't want to be listed or who wants to know where the heck we got our data. By far, my favorite is "why are we on the list? I didn't approve that."
This is when I get to explain just how important these reports are. Shining a light on how much of an impact plastics manufacturing has on the economy.
It's news, its newsworthy, its essential data. It's putting a number on it, making sure plastics is not under represented at any table. That is why we compile these rankings as independent research, not paid for by the listees or advertisers.
Plus we get to make cool graphics, too. Here is a distribution of manufacturing facilities in North America, think you already know all the hots spots?
When we report, people listen. Data matters.
Keller is editorial research coordinator for Plastics News and author of the All Things Data blog. Follow her on Linkedin