This week marks a time for a fond farewell for real for many attendees of NPE2024.
At some point, the triennial trade show may seem to serve as a weeklong forum to say goodbye to colleagues and competitors as much as launching new machines and equipment for plastics processors.
This is a period of change in the ranks of the plastics industry and NPE attendance. A look at the first 10,000 registrants showed 27 percent are under the age of 40 and 46 percent will be first timers to the event, which goes back almost 80 years. For many others, the golden years await in the near future after long careers.
Bill Murphy, technical associate at Charlotte, N.C.-based Polymers Center of Excellence, is reflecting on 43 years in the business. "I started in 1981 selling pumps and filtration equipment to the polymer and plastics industry — the early '80s [was] a time when many of us got into the business. If you go to any plastics/polymer-related show these days, it is a very 'gray' industry for sure," 71-year-old Murphy said.
He retired from full-time work at Maag in 2020 and now works two days a week at the nonprofit polymers center, which provides technical support and assistance for custom compounding, physical and analytical testing, injection molding and workforce development.
Murphy said he expects to wind down even more from industry dealings during the next two years.
"In talking with many of my colleagues, we all sadly admit this will surely be our last NPE show. And we all have never missed one either," Murphy said.
One of those friends is Dan Smith, 72, who retired from Maag at the end of 2023 after 34 years. Attending NPE trade shows was a highlight.
"I have never missed one, except for 2021. That makes 12 and this one is 'lucky 13,'" Smith said in an email. "By far the camaraderie has been the best thing. NPE has always been the place and time for everyone to get together to discuss the last three years and reassociate with old friends.
"I have always argued that immediate satisfaction and business at NPE is mostly staged and that the real value is the connections that you make and the business generated over the years from those associations," he said.
Starting with his first NPE in 1982, Murphy became a regular. What kept him coming back?
"Networking and seeing the many friends from the business I have made over the years," Murphy said. "Plus, it's a great venue to check out all the new technology coming in. It's always been the premier show for the polymer and plastics industry."
One of Murphy's longtime colleagues, Rick Amaral, who founded Amaral Automation in 2000, lost count of the number of NPEs he has attended. He said the innovations and serious business meetings that happen at the trade show have brought his business new companies to represent.
"I have enjoyed the networking, and new products have increased our opportunity for growth," Amaral said, adding that he is going to stay among the ranks of the semiretired.
With his son, Richard John Amaral, now running the business, Rick Amaral sees himself at NPE2027 continuing to network and enjoying one of his favorite aspects of the trade show: "Opportunities to learn."
In the meantime, Amaral jokes that he plans to fill his calendar with tee times and family while "hoping not to be forgotten too soon."
Smith will put in some time at the polymers center and seek some consultancy.
Murphy is looking forward to enjoying more time with grandchildren, hitting the gym a few times a week, golfing with high school buddies, traveling with his wife and learning to play the banjo better.
Now that his time at NPE is almost over, Murphy said a new task is at hand.
"I'll also be working hard to keep up with the friends I have made over the years," he said.