SPE honors outstanding mold makers

Edward Duignan, a New York journeyman mold maker for 47 years, was recognized as the 2025 Mold Maker of the Year for his career accomplishments and community contributions.

The Mold Technologies Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers presented the award and several others on March 19 at the Plastics Technology Exposition 2025.

The awards, which also recognize mold designers, technicians and apprentices, are open to members of the mold-making community throughout the world.

In New York, Duignan got his start at the Rochester Institute of Technology and went on to hone his technical skills in injection and die-cast mold as well as technical expertise in a wide range of specialties, including sinker electrical discharge machining (EDM), cylindrical grinding, milling and lathe operations as well as die-making.

Duignan's proficiency extends to surface grinding, ultrasonic cleaning, sandblasting, and reverse engineering, making him a one-stop powerhouse for mold repair, according to Steve Steinmetz, a tooling technician at Thermo-Fisher Scientific and his former apprentice.

Steinmetz said on his nomination form that he has seen Duignan successfully manage complex repairs on injection stretch blow molding, injection, extrusion blow molding, and injection blow molding molds, demonstrating exceptional troubleshooting abilities and a knack for resolving intricate mold issues.

"What sets Ed apart is not only his technical knowledge but also his eagerness to share his expertise with others," Steinmetz added. "He has cultivated a reputation for mentorship, where he generously imparts his wisdom to the next generation of mold makers. His commitment to the craft and his willingness to assist colleagues in troubleshooting and wiring hot manifolds or polishing molds reflects his passion for the industry and his dedication to elevating those around him."

Duignan has two children with his wife of 39 years, Trish. He was a Boy Scout leader and has a nurturing spirit that extends to animals. They family has various fish, turtles, lizards, snakes, birds, cats and dogs.

"Ed Duignan is not just an exceptional mold maker; he is a pillar of his community and an inspiration to those around him," Steinmetz said. "His unparalleled technical skills, dedication to his craft, and commitment to family and service make him the perfect candidate for the Mold Maker of the Year award."

The awards include $1,000 stipends to be donated to the award recipient's training program of choice while the Mold Making Apprentice of the Year receives $500 in tooling to outfit their toolbox and a $500 stipend for personal use.

The stipend donors include Hasco America Inc., MoldTrax LLC, Progressive Components Inc. and PCS Company.

James Fattori of Pennsylvania-based Injection Mold Consulting LLC as the 2025 Mold Designer of the Year. He is a third-generation mold maker/designer with a degree in industrial engineering from Northeastern University in Boston.

However, nominator Glenn Starkey said Fattori's "real" major comes from the School of Hard Knocks after pushing the envelope since the early 1980's with roles such as engineering manager and vice president of engineering.

Since 2015, Fattori has been an independent consultant.

He also has written more than 60 articles about plastics technology during his career.

Through the years, he has received three sole inventor patents, and he is a named inventor in 20 more, all in mold and molding-related innovations, according to nominator Glenn Starkey, president of Progressive Components.

To share his knowledge, Fattori writes for trade magazines. He spends more than 30 hours to research and write the articles, putting in more than 2,000 hours of work in order to bring his research, knowledge, and experiences to the mold design community.

"Though Jim is a master molder, mold designer, and mold maker, he is being nominated for SPE's Mold Designer. This is because he has not only performed mold designing, but has influenced countless mold designers throughout the industry, and it is difficult to think of many others who have worked to make a positive, technical impact on the mold design," Starkey said.

Markus Woeste of Molded Precision Components, Shanty Bay, Ontario, was named 2025 Mold Repair Technician of the Year. A 35-year industry veteran, Woeste's expertise, problem-solving ability and dedication to excellence have had a profound impact on the success of MPC and the plastics industry, according to nominator David Yeaman of MPC.

"Markus possesses an extraordinary level of craftsmanship in mold repair, seamlessly diagnosing complex issues and implementing effective solutions to restore functionality and extend the life of high-performance molds. His deep understanding of materials, precision engineering, and tool integrity enables him to execute repairs with the utmost accuracy, ensuring molds meet and exceed production requirements," Yeaman said.

Woeste has a proactive mindset that led to the introduction of cutting-edge techniques and tools at MPC, resulting in reduced repair times and improved mold longevity, Yeaman also said.

"One of Markus's standout qualities is his ability to perform under pressure," Yeaman added. "When molds critical to production face unexpected failures, Markus steps up with confidence and determination. His methodical approach and unwavering composure ensure swift resolutions, keeping production schedules on track and customers satisfied."

Nicholas Paxon of Thermo-Fisher Scientific was named 2025 Apprentice of the Year — Mold Making. He completed his New York State Certified Apprenticeship in January, carrying a 3.8 GPA through the related theory program and in Advanced CNC Programming. He also was nominated by Steinmetz, who said Paxon is an "all around" mold maker with the ability to take a project from initial release in the mold shop to testing in the press.

Paxon's technical expertise includes machining and mold-making processes, such as welding, Mastercam drafting and programming, CNC milling and lathe work, wire EDM, sinker EDM, cylindrical grinding and surface grinding.

"Nick's passion for the craft is evident in his meticulous approach to projects. Whether he is troubleshooting tooling, building new molds and or mold components as well as polishing steel and aluminum molds or performing ultrasonic cleaning and sandblasting, he takes pride in every aspect of his work. His focus on quality and attention to detail have not only enhanced the final products but have also inspired those around him to strive for excellence," Steinmetz said.

Christina Fuges, editorial and technical director of Mold Making Technology magazine, was recognized as an honorary mold maker by SPE's Mold Technologies Division.

Fuges is a 28-year veteran of mold making and design who has served as the secretary to the division's board of directors. She worked to create the first Ameri-Mold program in Columbus, Ohio, and continues planning events and working tirelessly to further the industry, according to an SPE news release.