FLORENCE, KY. — Recession? What recession?
Attendance was up by about 50 percent compared with last year at KraussMaffei Corp.'s recent open house in Florence, where the company shows off its machinery.
And those who were asked said they continue to be optimistic about the economy and business these days.
About 300 folks from all over the country showed up at the event that also showcased not only KraussMaffei machinery, but also goods — think molds and auxiliary equipment, for example — from companies that work closely with the company.
Think of it as a mini trade show on the KraussMaffei's floor, with folks talking a whole lot about plastics.
KraussMaffei holds these kind of get-togethers when business is good.
And business, these days, is good, President Paul Caprio said.
“We see the manufacturing market on fire in the U.S., in Canada and Mexico, primarily driven by automotive. But with the unemployment rate going down, with more people spending their money, it hits all parts of the economy,” Caprio said while taking a break from the open house.
And when people are buying more cars and houses and do-hickeys made from plastic, companies are buying equipment from KraussMaffei to make the pieces and parts and pipe and such to make those cars and houses and thingamajigs.
“We're continuing to see the market red-hot,” Caprio said.
Both Rudi Petrovic and Steve Szydlowski made the trip to Northern Kentucky for MGS Mfg. Group Inc., and had set up shop behind a table full of items showing off the company's injection molding capabilities.
“We see 2014 as really a continuation of ongoing expansion in the business in general,” Szydlowski said. “We have, probably, a six-month backlog, so we have a feeling that 2014 is going to continue to be strong. We have no reason to believe it's going to be anything other than that.”
Petrovic, who is vice president of sales for the Germantown, Wis.-based company, sees a general enthusiasm in the plastics industry.