Processors concerned about managing resin and energy costs can gather advice and current, firsthand data from a variety of informed sources at Plastics News' annual Executive Forum in Phoenix.
Other topics on the agenda at the Feb. 27-March 2 conference include the realities of doing business in China, tips for executing mergers and acquisitions, getting the most from your workforce, design and innovation strategies and prospects for the packaging, construction and automotive end markets.
In all, the event will feature 30 speakers in 21/2 days at the Wigwam Resort & Golf Club, and will host the presentation of the newspaper's annual Processor of the Year Award to one of these finalist companies - Hancor Inc., Miniature Precision Components Inc., Rotonics Manufacturing Inc. or U.S. Farathane Corp.
Other executives, meanwhile, will address the topic of materials cost management and participate in a panel discussion moderated by PN materials reporter Frank Esposito:
* Neil Banks, strategy director of the London Metal Exchange, will discuss how, beginning next spring, processors will be able to buy futures contracts for certain grades of polyethylene and polypropylene on the exchange.
* Bill Bowie, chief operating officer of Fort Worth, Texas-based Resin Technology Inc., will offer advice on resin-buying strategies.
* Jeff Mengel, a partner with Plante & Moran PLLC, will reveal the results of a survey his consulting firm is doing about how automotive processors are faring at passing along resin price hikes to their Tier 1 and automaker customers, while also sharing effective strategies.
Also, attendees will get updates on energy and resin market dynamics from John Hotz, global PE vice president for Nova Chemicals Corp.; Craig Blizzard, North America PP marketing director at Basell Polyolefins; Dwight Morgan, president and chief executive officer of compounder Accel Corp.; and Peter Killen, senior adviser to Houston oil and energy consultants Muse, Stancil & Co.
The conference costs $1,395. To register or for a schedule, go to www.plasticsnews.com/forum 2005 or call (888) 368-7229.
