The NPE 2006 Free Conference is open to all NPE registrants. The conference is organized by the Society of the Plastics Industry Inc., underwritten by Dow Chemical Co. and sponsored by other industry leaders. Topics, speakers, times and room numbers are listed below. Sessions, which run concurrently with the trade show, are held on the fourth floor of McCormick Place's South Building.
June 19
The Future of Plastics
BIO-BASED/Degradables
1:30-5 p.m., Room 402b
Bio-Based Materials: Challenges and Opportunities - J.L. Willet, Department of Agriculture
Biobased and Biodegradable Plastics 101 - Ramani Narayan, Michigan State University
Natural Plastics: A Revolutionary Technology for a Sustainable Future - Daniel Gilliland, Metabolix Inc.
Design & Development
1:30-4:30 p.m., Room 402a
CEO Guide to New Product Development - Michael Collins, MPC Management LLC
FINANCE
Room 401d
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Developing and Executing a Successful Acquisition Strategy - Matthew Jamison and John Hart, P&M Corporate
2:45-3:45 p.m.
Accessing Capital in the Plastics Industry - Matthew Jamison and John Hart, P&M Corporate Finance
4-5 p.m.
Polypropylene & Linear Low Density Polyethylene Futures Contracts - George Adcock, Natexis Commodity Markets
Flexible Film & Packaging
Room 401bc
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Recent Advances in Barrier Technology for Plastic Container and Flexible Packaging Applications - Paul Share, Valspar
2:45-3:45 p.m.
Molding an Electric Flexible New Frontier - Thomas Aisenbrey, Integral Technologies
4-5 p.m.
Flexible Film Analysis Using a Portable Infrared Spectrometer - Sandy Rintoul, Wilks Enterprise Inc.
Management
Room 403b
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Leading in a Crisis - Joe Lowry, Dart Container Corp.; David Lowry, Intralox; Susan Brate, GE Plastics
3:45-4:30 p.m.
Force Majeure: Minimizing this Risk Transfer Event - Alan Rothenbuecher, Schottenstein, Zox & Dunn Co. LPA
Marketing
Room 403a
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Your Brand: A Vital Yet Underutilized Asset - Mary Scheibel and Mike Stefaniak, Scheibel Halaska
2:45-3:45 p.m.
Using the Internet for Plastics Pricing & Materials Research - Michael Kmetz, IDES Inc.
4-5 p.m.
Why Managing International Income Tax Expense Matters - Roger Brown and John Staples, Burt, Staples & Maner LLP
June 20
Global & Domestic Competition
Energy efficiency
Room 401d
9:30 a.m.-noon
Department of Energy: Save Energy Now - Paul Scheihing, Department of Energy
Achieving Energy Efficiency Today and a Balanced Energy Future Tomorrow - TBD, Dow Chemical Co.
Plant Energy Assessment - Peter Jones, Wexco Corp.
Hybrid Hydraulics for the Plastics Industry - Todd Simmon, All World Machinery Supply
1:30-4:30 p.m.
Measuring Electricity to Control Costs - Mike Galiyano, Optimum; Howard Holmes, Gabriel & Associates; Allen Bradley
Extrusion
Room 404a
9:30-10:10 a.m.
Advances in Technology for Coextruded Blown Film Systems - Benjamin Prinsen, Macro Engineering & Technology Inc.
10:15-11:15 a.m.
Infiltration Brazed Tungsten Carbide Wear Protection - Ken Bowles, Solvay Polymers; Harold Buff, Conforma Clad
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Innovative Simplified NonNuclear On-Line Gauging Alternative for Plastics Sheet Industry - Bob Deitrick, EGS Gauging
Globalization
Sponsor: the Department of Commerce, MEP
Room 402a
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Successful Strategies for Competing in a Low-Cost Manufacturing World - Kristin Stehouwer
1:30-4:30 p.m.
Export Growth: International Strategies for Manufacturing CEOs - Carroll Thomas
Molding & Automation Innovations
Room 404a
1:30-2:20 p.m.
Take the Pain Out of New Product Development for Injection Molding - Steve Tuszynski, Algoryx Inc.
2:30-3:10 p.m.
Advances in Robot Intelligence - Mark Handelsman, Fanuc Robotics America
3:15-4 p.m.
X-Melt Technology -TBD, Engle
4:10-4:55 p.m.
Thin-wall Packaging Paradigm Shift - Jim Overrbeeke, Husky Injection Molding Systems Inc.
Management
Room 403a
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Intellectual Property Issues in Plastics Industry Contracts - George Darby, Darby Law Corp.
2:45-3:45 p.m.
How To Do Business in China and How Not To - George Darby, Darby Law Corp.
4-5 p.m.
Help Reduce Offshoring by Maximizing Export Tax Benefits and Financing - Joseph Englert, Export Assist Inc.
Materials
Room 403b
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Composite Material & Product Durability Assessment - Allen Zielnik, Atlas Material Testing Technology
2:45-3:45 p.m.
Link TPUs: Novel Injection Moldable/Extrudable Cross-Linked Thermoplastic Materials - Pijush Dewanjee and John Guard, PriPro Polymers Inc.
4:00-5 p.m.
Engineered Purging Compounds - Tim Cutler, Dyna-Purge; Scott Paulson, Paulson Training
MMT Conference
Sponsor: MoldMaking Technology Magazine
Room 403a
8-9 a.m.
Strategic and Tactical Supply Chain Issues for the Toolmaker - Don Tijunelis, DKT; Richard Hammond, RWH Partners
9:15-10:15 a.m.
Using Staff Meetings to Improve Your Bottom Line - Jean Kroes, JH Kroes Consultants
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Management from the Heart - Craig Yarde, Yarde Metals Inc.
MMT Conference
Room 403b
8-9 a.m.
Economic and Industry Outlook for Moldmakers - Bill Wood, Mountaintop Economics and Research Inc.
9:15-10:15 a.m.
Significant Cash for Your Shop Through R&D Tax Credits - Royce Palazzo, Axiom Custom Business Solutions LLLP
10:30-11:30 a.m.
The Growing Importance of Forensic Engineering in Product Litigation - Alex Sommers, University of New Haven
Nanotechnology
1:30-5 p.m., Room 401b
Nanotechnology 101 - Martha Marrapese, Keller & Heckman
Understanding Nanotech Patents -Ron Bleeker, Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP
Nanotechnology: Get On Board Or Get Left Behind - LaMar Hill, NY Nanotech LLC
Applications for Nanotechnology - Sharell Mikesell, Ohio State University
POSS Nanostructured Chemicals - Joe Lichtenhan, Hybrid Plastics
NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Program - Charles Geraci, NIOSH
EPA and Nanotechnology - Jim Willis, Environmental Protection Agency
Safety
Room 402b
9:30 a.m.-noon
Injection Molding Safety - Wayne Wilson, United Southern Industries; James Washam, OSHA
1:30-4 p.m.
Thermoforming Safety - Wayne Wilson, United Southern Industries Inc.; Jim Washam, OSHA
June 21
New Technology & Innovation
Innovation
Room 404a
9-9:30 a.m.
Growth Through Innovation - Jack Avery, Avery Plastics Consulting
9:40-10:30 a.m.
Two Shot Molding - Self-Adhesive LSR and Plastic - Edmond Laperriere, Wacker Chemical Corp.
10:40-11:10 a.m.
Manufacturing Cells - One Way to Keep Manufacturing in the USA! - Hermann Plank, TecnoKal LLC
11:15-11:40 a.m.
In-Mold Assembly - TBA, Krauss Maffei
11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
MultiMaterial Molding - Gary Vande Berg, Bemis Manufacturing
1:30-5 p.m.
Award Winning Presentations
1:30-2 p.m.
Advanced Structural Foam Molding Using a Continuous Polymer/ Gas Melt Flow Stream - Chul Park, University of Toronto; John Lee, University of Toronto
2-2:30 p.m.
Advances for Siliceous Mineral Products with Polymer Systems - Julian Danvers, World Minerals
2:30-3 p.m.
Surface Modification Techniques for Optimizing Adhesion to Automotive Plastics - Rory Wolf, Enercon Industries
3-3:30 p.m.
The Effect of Combining Ultrasonic Energy With a Tie Layer When Joining Dissimilar Polymers - Barry McGraw, Battelle Memorial Institute
3:30-4 p.m.
Structural Polymer for Improved Functionality - Karl Maurer, DuPont; Timothy Brogla, DuPont
4-4:30 p.m.
Molding from Materials Point of View - Chris Esch, MGV Enterprises
4:30-5 p.m.
Technical Overview of New SolarGuard of SMC Formulation - Mike Jackson, Stahlin NonMetallic Enclosure
MMT Conference
Sponsor: MoldMaking Technology Magazine
Room 403a
8-9 a.m.
Strategic and Tactical Supply Chain Issues for the Toolmaker - Don Tijunelis, DKT; Richard Hammond, RWH Partners
9:15-10:15 a.m.
Using Staff Meetings to Improve Your Bottom Line - Jean Kroes, JH Kroes Consultants
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Management from the Heart - Craig Yarde, Yarde Metals Inc.
MMT Conference
Sponsor: MoldMaking Technology Magazine
Room 403b
8-9 a.m.
Economic and Industry Outlook for Moldmakers - Bill Wood, Mountaintop Economics and Research Inc.
9:15-10:15 a.m.
Significant Cash for Your Shop Through R&D Tax Credits - Royce Palazzo, Axiom Custom Business Solutions LLLP
10:30-11:30 a.m.
The Growing Importance of Forensic Engineering in Product Litigation - Alex Sommers, University of New Haven
Injection Molding
Room 403b
1:45-2:25 p.m.
Plastics Drying - The Options - Daniel Saigh, Motan Inc.
2:30-3:10 p.m.
New Screw Technology - Timothy Womer, Xaloy Inc.
3:15-3:55 p.m.
How to Reliably Produce Quality Parts with Melt Mixing in Hot Runner Molds - Adbdeslam Bouti, Husky Injection Molding Systems Inc.
4-4:40 p.m.
In-Mold Assembly through Multishot Technologies - John Berg, MGS Mfg. Group
Nanotechnology
Room 403a
Nanotechnology Applications for Polymers Moderator: Gene Kim, Cookson Electronics
1:30-2 p.m.
Carbon Nanotube Applications - Mike Foley, Cheap Tubes
2-2:30 p.m.
Nanocomposites for Automotive - Paula Fasulo, GM
2:30-3 p.m.
Nanocompounding - Paula Andersen, Coperion
3-3:30 p.m.
Wireless Communications - TBA, Motorola
3:30-4 p.m.
Bio-Nanocomposites - TBA, Argonne National Laboratories
Packaging
Room 401d
Active and Intelligent Packaging
Moderator: Maggie Baumann, GH Associates
9:30-10 a.m.
General Overview
10-10:30 a.m.
Controlled Release Active Packaging - Vivek Chougule, Pliant Corp.
10:30-11 a.m.
Co-Continuous Channel Structure - Billy Abrams, CSP Technologies
11-11:30 a.m.
Energy Harvesting Composites - Steve LeChin, Advanced Cerametrics
11:30 a.m.-noon
Next Level Panel Discussion - Maggie Baumann, GH Associates
Recycling
Room 402a
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Plastic Recycling - An Update on Optical Sorting Technology and Equipment - James Keefe, Recycling Today Media Group; Felix Hottenstein, MSS Inc.; Scott Jable, TiTech USA; Nicolas Belanger, Machinex Technologies
Safety
Sponsored by SPI/OSHA Alliance
Room 402b
9:30 a.m.-noon
Injection Molding Safety - Wayne Wilson, United Southern Industries Inc.; Jim Washam, OSHA
1:30-4 p.m.
Extrusion Safety - Wayne Wilson, United Southern Industries; Jim Washam, OSHA
Elastomers
Room 401d
9:30-10:15 a.m.
Enhanced Melt Strength Ethylene/Alpha-Olefin Copolymer Elastomers for Thermoforming, Blow Molding, and Extruded Profiles - Laura Weaver, Dow Chemical Co.
10:30-11 a.m.
Bridging Market Gaps with Propylene Based Plastomers & Elastomers - Lisa Madenjian, Dow
11:15-11:45 a.m.
Novel Olefin Elastomers for the Plastics Industry - Wendy Hoenig, Dow
TPEs 101
Room 402b
1:30-2:15 p.m.
TPEs 101: TPEs for Dummies - Jonas Angus, TPE Solutions Inc.
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Market Perspectives on TPEs & Intermarket Competition - Robert Eller, Robert Eller Associates Inc.
3:45-4:45 p.m.
Case Study and Technical Perspectives on TPEs/TSRs: The Paradigm Shift - Carl McAfee
June 22
Workforce Development
Career Development
Room 403b
9:30-10:30 a.m.
The Plastics Industry and Your Career - Dennis Gros, PlasticsJOBS by Gros Executive Search
10:45-11:45 a.m.
Beyond Lean Manufacturing: Supervisor Selection - Sustainable Competitive Advantage - Mike Lavelle, University of Minnesota
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Personality Profiles: How to Understand Yourself & Others - Sam M. McCord, McCord Consulting Group Inc.
Financial Management
9:45-11:45 a.m., Room 401d
Health Savings Accounts - TBA
Grant Workshop
Room 401d
Grant and Employer Services Workshop
Moderator: Barbara Darby, SPI
2-2:20 p.m.
High Growth Job Initiative - John Scott, Department of Labor
2:25-2:45 p.m.
Accessing State Resources - Patrick Cassidy, National Association of Workforce Boards
2:50-3:10 p.m.
Trade Adjustment Assistance - Tom Zimolzak, Applied Strategies International
3:15-3:35 p.m.
OSHA Training Grants - Cathleen Cronin, Department of Labor, OSHA
3:40-4 p.m.
Panel: Question and Answer Session
Management
9 a.m.-noon, Room 402b
Lean Executive Overview - Thomas Jarapko, Chicago Manufacturing Center
Recycling
1:30-5 p.m., Room 403a
Enhancing Plastics Recycling - Steve Alexander, Association of Postconsumer Plastics Recyclers
Incentive Based Recycling - Ron Gonen, Recycle Bank
Creating Value in Your Pastics Recycling Program - Robert Render, Maine Plastics
Portal Technology Activates Communitiy Recycling, Reuse and Proper Disposal - Anne Reichman, Earth 911
RFID
9:30 a.m.-noon, Room 403a
Integrating RFID with Plastic Products and Packaging - Randy Stigall, UPM Raflatac; TBA, WalMart; TBA, Department of Defense
Implementing RFID in Plastic Reusable Packaging Systems to Reduce Cost & Improve Logistics; Issues, Challenges and Success - Michael McCartney, QLM
Workforce Development
Room 402a
8:30-11:30 a.m.
Building a Workforce Prepared to Compete - Joseph Barto III, Training Modernization
2:45-3:45 p.m.
The Human Competitive Advantage: The Optimist and the Bully - Maureen Steinwall, Steinwall, Inc.
4-5 p.m.
Just Train the Employee! How? Multimedia is the Solution! - Maureen Steinwall, Steinwall Inc.
June 23
Student Summit
The Student Summit offers two programs, one college-level and one high-school level, to encourage entry and interest in plastics-related careers. See www.npe.org for more information.
8-10 a.m., Room 401d
Importance of Education & Plastics Industry Careers - John Winzeler, Winzeler Gear