Materials leaders say SPE has helped them make connections

Over three-quarters of a century, the Society of Plastics Engineers has proven its value many times to firms that make plastic materials.

"Having been affiliated with SPE at its highest level, I can say that the organization has done a great job of trying to prepare for the next 75 years," said Scott Owens, current SPE president and president and CEO of compounding firm Chemtrusion Inc. of Houston.

"As an individual, SPE means different things depending on where you are in the career cycle," added Owens, a 30-year member. "Early on, it's great to gain knowledge and networking — you can keep up on relationships and make new ones.

"Then later, it gives you the opportunity to give something back. My experience with SPE has been fantastic. It's great to reach out to students and young professionals, and I've met a lot of caring, trustworthy people," he said.

Longtime member Edwin Tam agreed, saying that SPE "has always provided a great forum for academia and industry." Tam has been involved with SPE at many levels, most recently with its bioplastics programs.

"From my perspective, it's helpful for the knowledge it provides at the annual Antec or at Topcons [conferences]," added Tam, who's manager of new strategic initiatives and bioplastics at materials maker Teknor Apex Co. in Pawtucket, R.I. "In some cases, we might not have known how well an additive could work with our materials. So we're able to bring that information back and do something with it.

"And over the years, I've made a lot of good friends in the industry through SPE," Tam said.

SPE's Antec event "is a great forum for technology and exchanging ideas," according to Marc Imbrogno, materials engineering director at thermoset molder and compounder Mar-Bal Inc. of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. "Even as a thermoset company, [Antec] helps us understand what's going on in thermoplastics, which is a good complimentary check for us.

"It allows us to see changes in fundamental chemistry in areas like fiber-reinforced thermoplastics and to see new processing techniques," added Imbrogno, who's been involved with SPE's thermoset programs for more than 10 years. "We can then bring that knowledge back to our own organization."

SPE also can be helpful to a member like Ron Poff, who was new to plastics when he joined seven years ago.

"SPE gave me tremendous opportunities to network and to get ​ to know people," said Poff, Mar-Bal's global marketing director. "It's also helped our company with recruiting at the student level. You can see leadership skills when a student gives a presentation at an SPE event."

Mar-Bal also has been a frequent sponsor of SPE Topcons, which Poff said has allowed the firm to position itself and its materials in the industry.

Looking ahead, SPE members from the materials industry said that the organization will be challenged but is in good shape to meet those challenges.

"The world now is very different even from what it was in the 1990s," said Owens at Chemtrusion. "People are getting information in very different ways, so SPE is getting into mobility and apps."

He cited The Chain, a cloud-based SPE platform, and its Career Central program, which is designed to bring younger people into the industry.

"If you look at all of SPE's organizations, they have a tremendous ability to offer knowledge, awareness and marketing," Owens said.

At Teknor Apex, Tam said that he hopes that SPE continues to host Antec and to focus on students and new members.

"I would never miss an annual meeting and the chance to make new friends," he said.

Tam added that he hopes SPE appreciates all the volunteer work done by its members. "SPE was built up by volunteers," he said. "I applaud the work they've done and continue to do."