Monoflo, Wittmann Battenfeld rely on trust to build recycling platform

This is a story about machinery and about plastics recycling and about reusable packaging. But it's also a story about long-standing personal relationships that have helped one equipment manufacturer forge a years-long bond with a packaging maker and recycler.

Monoflo International Inc. is known for injection molding reusable totes, bins and pallets, packaging that can be used over and over again to save companies transportation-related costs.

But the Winchester, Va.-based firm also has become a significant plastics recycler, having recaptured some 14 million pounds of high density polyethylene last year alone for use in new products.

Developing a major recycling operation does not happen overnight, and Monoflo has spent the last decade creating and expanding operations to where they are today. Wittmann Battenfeld Inc. has been there along the way, providing not only equipment but also expertise, the two sides said.

As division manager for material handling and auxiliaries at Wittmann Battenfeld, Steve Mussman knows all about Monoflo's recycling operations. That's because he's been around various Monoflo projects for the past 11 years while working his way up the ranks of his own company.

"One of the things I enjoy [is] working with Monoflo. They have a good company culture. They have a lot of people who have been there a long time," Mussman said.

"It's a benefit for us working with them. … We are having conversations with the same people over the years. So it's not a fresh topic, somebody jumping in fresh where you have to start from scratch. We can keep progressing. We can be on a continuous improvement effort on both sides, because it's a two-way street," he said.

On the Monoflo side, Ashly Hawkins is operations manager. She too has progressed over the years, and now oversees various company aspects. But Hawkins was on the ground floor when Monoflo decided to start recycling more than a decade ago. The company uses a combination of manufacturing waste, purge from its machines and plastics purchased from outside parties to meet its recycled-content needs.

"For me, working with Wittmann has really offered some unique opportunities. I feel Steve and I grew through our positions together," said Hawkins. She joked the two have talked so much over the years that she has his number of speed dial.

The two came to work at their employers around the same time and at the same level, both progressing along the way to take on more and more responsibilities, Hawkins explained. That shared experience, albeit at different companies, has created an uncommon business relationship over time.

"I think there's an element in that our ability and our growth together as two people in these two different companies working toward the same goal was a little unique," Hawkins said. "I don't find that with many others. … It's been a really good working relationship."

This familiarity between the two companies not only creates efficiencies but also trust. "It's been nice to see the same faces on both sides," Mussman said.

Mussman said his company has worked with Monoflo over time to continually improve the firm's material handling capabilities for both injection molding and recycling operations. That work has included help with installation of silos to replace storage bins and moving storage of recycled resin from buildings into those silos. His company also has helped create a railcar unloading system to move resin from silos to other parts of the manufacturing site.

Hawkins said Wittmann Battenfeld's material handling expertise has been key, but she also pointed to the company's transparency, accountability, advice and support. "We have just this mutual respect for each other, and we all trust each other."