WASHINGTON - Ten Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. member companies are slated to visit three South American cities in the latest association-sponsored foreign trade mission from Sept. 22-Oct. 2. The trade mission is the fourth that SPI, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commerce, has provided for its members. Many are repeat travelers, including Fast Heat Inc. of Elmhurst, Ill., and Eastman Chemical Co. in Kingsport, Tenn.
Originally scheduled to lead the group, Thomas J. Schneider, president of Improved Blow Molding Equipment Co. Inc. of Bedford Park, Ill., will not be on the trip due to other business commitments, according to his office.
Another originally scheduled to travel with the SPI group was toolmaker Plas-Tool Co. of Niles, Ill. President John von Holdt Jr. said a change in the company's marketing strategy in the past month resulted in a decision not to go on the mission.
``We still believe the Brazilian market is going to be a very large market in the future,'' said von Holdt. ``These tours are well worth the time and effort. If all three of the countries on the mission schedule were virgin territory for us, we'd be on that tour.''
Other companies with representatives planning to make the trip are mold maker Dollins Tool Co. Inc. of Independence, Mo.; blow molding machinery maker Rocheleau Tool & Die Co. Inc. of Fitchburg, Mass.; blender and chiller maker Conair Group Inc. of Franklin, Pa.; expanded polystyrene foam molder Polyfoam Corp. of Northbridge, Mass.; the Los Angeles office of Mount Gilead, Ohio, mold maker HPM Corp.; and EPS molder and PET bottle maker Pacific Allied Products Inc. of Kapolei, Hawaii.
Designed to promote trade and investment between the United States and countries overseas, the program calls for meetings with plastics associations and government officials in Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires; and SÃŒo Paulo, Brazil.