The first-ever NPE in Florida is history. You've nursed your sunburned body back to health. Summer is on the way. Oh, and don't forget the Big One: It's time again to launch the Plastics News Processor of the Year Award.
We're officially seeking nominations for the award, which honors a North America plastics processor for its performance, corporate responsibility and overall excellence.
You can nominate your own company, a customer or a supplier. The competition is open to any public or private company, or operating divisions, that have been engaged in plastics processing for at least five years. Again this year, we will be presenting three additional awards excellence awards to worthy entrants.
Deadline for entries is Oct. 31.
It's easy to get the process started. Simply submit an entry form and a short letter explaining why you think the company deserves the award. (Plastics News also will have hard-copy forms available at our booth at several upcoming trade shows, and our own events.)
After a company is nominated, we ask each processor to develop a more-detailed submission. You can find a list of frequently asked questions about the award here.
The award, judged by members of Plastics News' editorial staff, recognizes well-rounded companies based on seven criteria: financial performance, quality, customer relations, employee relations, environmental performance, industry/public service and technological innovation.
Last year's Processor of the Year was Steinwall Inc., a custom injection molder in Coon Rapids, Minn.
Plastics News Excellence Award winners were Mar-Bal Inc., a thermoset molder in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, for Customer Relations; Atek Plastics, a medical molder in Kerrville, Texas, for Employee Relations; and Bemis Manufacturing Co., a custom injection molder based in Sheboygan Falls, Wis., for Industry and Public Service.
Senior reporter Bill Bregar is coordinating the award again this year. He can be reached by phone at 330-865-6158, fax at 330-836-2322 or email at [email protected]. Copy editor Marvin Brown is the co-coordinator.
The winner will be announced at the next Plastics News Executive Forum, set for March 3-6 in Tampa, Fla.
Again this year, the Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. is sponsoring the Processor of the Year Award.
The award winner will join a prestigious group. In addition to Steinwall last year, past winners are:
* Plastikos Inc.;
* GW Plastics Inc.;
* Plastic Components Inc.;
* Mack Molding Co.;
* U.S. Farathane Corp.;
* Innovative Injection Technologies Inc.;
* Miniature Precision Components Inc.;
* Jarden Plastics Solutions, formerly Unimark Plastics;
* Precise Technology Inc., now part of Rexam plc;
* Tech Group Inc., now part of West Pharmaceutical Services Inc.;
* Cascade Engineering Inc.;
* Tessy Plastics Corp.;
* Royal Group Inc., now part of Georgia Gulf Corp.;
* Courtesy Corp., now also part of Rexam;
* Nypro Inc. of Clinton, Mass.;
* Bryan Custom Plastics, now Johnson Controls Interiors Manufacturing, owned by Johnson Controls Inc. and an investor group.