The Association of Rotational Molders has inducted George Winter and Horacio Lobo into its hall of fame.
Winter is “a tireless supporter of the rotomolding industry and ARM,” the association said. “He has made a significant contribution to the industry in terms of educating others and volunteering his time. He also works tirelessly promoting the association to prospective members and integrating new members in the association.”
Winter is business manager for rotational molding with Ravago SA's Muehlstein unit in Wilton, Conn.
Lobo was recognized as “a passionate promoter and defender of the rotational molding process.” He serves as director of the rotomolding division of the trade group Asociación Nacional de Industrias del Plástico AC and “has single-handedly organized rotomolding meetings and seminars in Mexico.”
Lobo is managing director of custom rotomolder Versatilidad en Plasticos SA de CV, doing business as Versaplas, of El Marqués, Querétaro, Mexico.
The hall of fame recognition is the rotational molding sector's highest honor.
ARM announced the recognitions and others during its annual meeting in Denver from Nov. 1-4. More than 245 persons attended.
ARM presented the Charles D. Frederick distinguished service award to Ron Joannou Jr., vice president of manufacturing with Formed Plastics Inc. of Carle Place, N.Y. The award goes to volunteers “who go above and beyond the call of duty in ARM activities and committee work.” Joannou has made videos, co-presented webinars and judged the ARM student design completion.
ARM presented five awards in its product competition.
• Dutchland Plastics LLC of Oostburg, Wis., won three: product of the year and conversion product for its Ice Breaker, an ice merchandiser offering 27/7 self-service credit card functionality and remote access for inventory control.
The Sway Lounge Seat and Base made by Dutchland for KI furniture won the third award for innovation and a state-of-the-art product. The lounge seat can move front to back and side to side with a 360-degree swivel.
• Norweco Inc. of Norwalk, Ohio, won the large product award for its Hydro-Kinetic Bio-Film Reactor, a rotationally molded, durable, ultra-violet-light stabilized tank incorporating patented internal and external ribbed walls. Norweco makes water and wastewater treatment products.
• Formed Plastics' Portable Pole Sign received the recycled product award. The product of black-compounded recycled material is used for traffic, safety and parking.
ARM presented safety awards to Formed Plastics and Flexahopper Plastics Ltd. of Lethbridge, Alberta. ARM invites molder companies to submit safety data and selects the award recipients on the basis on that data.
Dayna Conway of Carleton University won first place in ARM's student design competition for design of a Universal Planter. Students at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design won other awards: second place to Adam Carter for the Lightspine Design and third place to Bennett Westling for the Cella Design.
ARM's next meeting occurs Feb. 28-March 1 in Las Vegas. ARM is based in Glen Ellyn, Ill.