Summer is here. The flowering trees are popping. The pollen count is rising. Want some relief? Then get involved in the Plastics News Processor of the Year Award.
OK, in all seriousness, becoming Processor of the Year won't cure your allergies. But the award competition is a good way to get the word out about your company.
We're officially kicking off the call for nominations for the award, which honors a North American 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 company, public or private, or operating division that has been engaged in plastics processing for at least the last five years.
Once again this year, we will present three additional PN Excellence Awards to worthy contestants. Deadline for entries is Oct. 1. This is the date by which we want to receive each company's completed submissions (more on this later).
Getting started is easy. Simply submit an entry form and a short note explaining why you think the company deserves the award. The form is available online at www.plastics news.com/poy. (Plastics News also will have hard-copy forms available at our booth at several upcoming trade shows, and at our own conferences.) At that same Web address, you can find a list of frequently asked questions.
Once a company gets nominated, we ask each processor to develop a detailed submission — it's a good idea to look at the FAQs and call us for guidance before getting started.
Senior reporter Bill Bregar coordinates the award. He can be reached at 330-865-6158 or email [email protected]. Copy editor Marvin Brown is co-coordinator.
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 Hoffer Plastics Corp., a custom injection molder in South Elgin, Ill.
PN Excellence Award winners were Plastic Molding Technology Inc., a custom molder in El Paso, Texas, for Customer Relations; DeKalb Molded Plastics Co., a structural foam molder in Butler, Ind., for Employee Relations; and Rodon Group, a Hatfield, Pa.-based custom injection molder and molder of K'Nex toys, for Industry and Public Service.
The winner will be announced at the next Plastics News Executive Forum, scheduled for Feb. 23-26 in Tampa, Fla.
Again this year, the Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. is sponsoring the Processor of the Year Award.