Mike Walter, the new president of the Manufacturers Association for Plastics Processors, points to interaction as a key benefit for members.
“This year we're focusing on providing additional opportunities for MAPP members to be able to network with our plant tours and our benchmarking conference in the fall,” he said during a telephone interview.
Walter, the president of custom injection molder and mold builder MET Plastics Inc. of Elk Grove, Ill., was installed in February to a two-year term. He previously had served as vice president and is also a director of Indianapolis-based MAPP.
MAPP is a nonprofit trade organization that was established in 1997. It has 309 member companies with more than 125,000 employees.
“I am passionate about manufacturing — I just find it interesting that there is always new materials, new processes and new technologies,” said Walter, noting that years ago he was drawn to MAPP for its benchmarking reports.
He finds that same desire for information as a drawing point for MAPP's members. It has had three consecutive years of record membership growth.
Walter said two goals for his term are to enhance the value for members and expedite the adoption of technology that aids MAPP in delivering information on products and services.
He grew up in the business, having worked in just about every job from sweeping floors to operating presses and helping in the tool room. MET was started by his father Michael, who is now retired, and his partners.
Walter succeeds Kelly Goodsel of Corry, Pa.-based Viking Plastics as MAPP's president.
