Cooke, Henwood, Joannaou join Rotational Molding Hall of Fame

The Association of Rotational Molders has elected three new members to the Rotational Molding Hall of Fame: Ron Cooke, Nick Henwood and Ron Joannou Jr. The men will be inducted Nov. 8 during the association's annual meeting in Atlanta.

Cooke recently retired from ExxonMobil, where he helped develop and optimize the company's materials for rotomolding and helped molders troubleshoot their systems.

In a statement, ARM called Cooke "a true service leader," noting he openly shares his expertise with others. He has chaired several ARM committees and served for many years on its board of directors. For decades, he has been a fixture at the group's events and conferences.

"He's always willing and available to give a presentation or host a breakout session. He led the ever-popular 'What's Your Problem?' with fellow Hall of Famer Sandy Scaccia for years," ARM said.

Henwood has been involved in the industry for 35 years, and for the past five he has been ARM's technical director, promoting member education and training services and assisting with multiple online webinar series available to members.

He's been an ARM member since 1994, serving on a number of committees, and was a board member in the early 2000s. He has blogged, contributed presentations and helped with training seminars. He has participated in many conferences worldwide and is an active member of the British Plastics Federation, his local association.

Henwood began his rotomolding career with Dow Chemical Co. and later co-founded materials supplier Matrix Polymers Ltd. of Northampton, England. He is now the owner of Rotomotive Ltd., also in Northampton, focusing on technical consulting, training, and research and development.

ARM describes Joannou as "an extremely active member" who has served on numerous committees and for many years chaired the Process Optimization Committee, which he continues to support. He has directed initiatives and conducted numerous workshops for ARM.

"He displays one of the key benefits of the association: members helping members," the ARM statement said. "Ron goes the extra mile in all he does and is always willing to share his experience."

ARM also emphasized his "enthusiastic" participation — for 15 years — as a judge in the association's student design competition.

Joannou joined Formed Plastics Inc., a rotomolder, thermoformer and fabricator in Carle Place, N.Y., in 1979. He worked in the toolroom and as both day and night shift supervisor, moving up in 1992 to vice president of manufacturing, his current position.

This year's Rotational Molding Hall of Fame inductees were selected from among all ARM members nominated for the honor from 2017 to 2022. After a six-member selection committee narrowed the choices to five, all Hall of Fame members voted to determine this year's inductees.

Last year's inductees were Tom Murdough, founder of Little Tikes, Step2 Corp. and Simplay3 Corp.; and Dru Laws, a veteran industry executive and former ARM president.

ARM is based in Arlington Heights, Ill.