Bill Bregar

This edition of Best Practices is dedicated to purging the coronavirus from our minds!

Like every other company, Currier Plastics Inc. has struggled to find a more skilled workforce. So the injection and blow molder in Auburn, N.Y., invested in an apprenticeship program — a good example of Best Practices.

A relatively small investment can head-off major production problems and costly downtime.

Machinery suppliers are stepping up to help with the COVID-19 response, making machines and expertise available to molders supplying essential parts.

The additive manufacturing sector remained strong in 2019, as revenue produced from all AM products and services worldwide grew 21.2 percent, to $11.86 billion.

As the United States tries to dramatically ramp up testing for the coronavirus, Teel Plastics Inc. has boosted production of the injection molded and extruded the long thin shafts used by the only swab maker in the United States — and one of only two in the world to make the key product.

After workers at Little Tikes Co. complained that the toy rotational molder was violating Ohio's order for nonessential business to close, the Summit County Health Department inspected Tikes' factory and determined it was essential — after finding the company is converting some production.

Some plastics processors and mold makers won't survive the coronavirus pandemic, said Laurie Harbour, a consultant in manufacturing operations and financial issues.

Westfall Technik Inc. is closing the Amaray injection molding factory in Pittsfield, Mass., and laying off 36 workers.

PVC roofing manufacturer Duro-Last Inc. moved fast to make gowns and face masks, taking advantage of its in-house factory welding expertise.

Meese, formerly known as MODRoto and Meese Orbitron Dunne, makes bulk laundry and linen carts, material handling bins and containers, recycling bins, recreational carts and other products.

Jim Fitterling and Tom Salmon originally were going to take the stage at Antec 2020 in San Antonio and talk about sustainability. An invisible virus got in the way.

Dow CEO Jim Fitterling said things could begin returning to normal in the second half of the year, but added that broad U.S. economic growth might not happen until 2021.

Tony Radoszewski: "I can assure you my responsibility is to do as much as I can to make sure people know what the true story is about plastic."

Nordson Corp. is reorganizing into two business, led by their own executive vice presidents: Industrial Precision Solutions and Advanced Technology Solutions.