MAPP awards top firms for innovation and education

The Manufacturers Association for Plastics Processors recently presented awards for innovation and education.

Indianapolis-based MAPP recognized six firms as winners of its 2019 MAPP Innovation Awards focused on workstation layout. This year's awards were split into two categories to recognize companies in different sales categories, those with annual sales under $15 million and those above $15 million.

In the under $15 million category, first place went to Blue Ridge Molding of Conover, N.C. Wadal Plastics Inc. of Medford, Wis., took second place, with Bruin Manufacturing Co. of Marshalltown, Iowa, placing third.

In the above $15 million category, first place went to Intertech Medical of Denver. Plastic Components Inc. of Germantown, Wis., took second place, while the Lexington, Tenn., location of Falcon Plastics placed third.

In a news release, MAPP officials said that 2019 was the fifth year for the innovation award, which was established to recognize innovative solutions to common issues. The award allows MAPP members to benchmark best practices and submissions are shared in the 2019 Best Practices Book, they added.

This year's award focused on the question: "How has your company instituted systems in your facility to make workstations safer, more ergonomic, more efficient and/or improve the organization?"

More than 20 final submissions were submitted for voting, and almost 500 votes came in from industry peers to determine the winners.

MAPP also recently honored three member firms with Educational Outreach Awards. The awards recognized those MAPP members who have made a significant impact in the promotion of a career in manufacturing.

This year's first place winner was Viking Plastics of Corry, Pa. Mack Molding Co. of Arlington, Vt., took second place, with Plastic Molding Technology Inc. of El Paso, Texas, placing third.

MAPP officials said in a news release that through strategic partnerships with schools, programs and/or students, these awardees have all made significant efforts to increase interest, raise awareness and build skills within the plastics manufacturing industry.

2019 marked the fourth year for the education award. This year, the contest was narrowed down to 12 submissions, with more than 300 member votes determining the winners.

Viking Plastics President and CEO Kelly Goodsel said in the release that his firm is honored to win the Educational Outreach Award for the second time in three years, adding that the award "is a great way to recognize companies for their engagement with local schools, programs, and students."

Also in the release, Mack Molding President Jeff Somple said that the award "reinforces our shared commitment to bridge the manufacturing skills gap by influencing a new generation of plastics workers."

"Looking around Mack today you will see young engineers, technicians and manufacturing leaders who have rediscovered the opportunities presented by manufacturing and are preparing to bring us into the next 100 years of our company's history," he added.

Winners of the education award receive a donation from MAPP that goes to the recipient's educational institution or program of choice.

MAPP was established in 1996 and has more than 430 member companies nationwide.