Plastics Technology magazine is taking its Plaspec database in-house, but now it will have a new competitor.
The head of the company that formerly licensed Plaspec from Plastics Technology has formed a new company, Business Intelligence Group LLC, that will offer some of the same services as Plaspec.
Until December, D&S Data Resources Inc. of Yardley, Pa., had managed and operated Plastics Technology's Plaspec databases of plastics resins and machinery, plus an Internet-based daily news service and a manufacturing census.
According to James J. Callari, publisher of New York-based Plastics Technology, the monthly magazine had tried unsuccessfully in recent months to change the terms of its license with D&S to take more control of the product.
Callari said the magazine will retain the materials selection and machinery selection database and its supplier directory, and will continue to operate a newly renamed Plastics Technology U.S. Manufacturing Census.
The census includes specific information about processors' operations, such as the age, size and brands of primary and auxiliary equipment in each plant. Plaspec uses the data to do market research for client companies, such as machinery manufacturers.
Callari said Plastics Technology also plans to start a daily online news service.
Meanwhile, Business Intelligence Group President Herm Dillon — formerly D&S general manager — said the new company will not compile machinery or materials databases. But the new firm will do market research and consulting, and will continue to offer daily news on its Internet site.
His company employs seven in Morrisville, Pa.
Neither Callari nor Dillon characterized the split as acrimonious. But Callari questioned whether Business Intelligence will be able to provide market research without the U.S. Manufacturing Census. He also raised the possibility of litigation if Business Intelligence does not return the Plaspec database to Plastics Technology within the next couple of weeks.