Makino now offers the voice activated technology, called Athena, on its wire EDM machines — and is working to extend Athena into the company's milling machines and sinker EDMs, said Andre Ey, vice president of die/mold technologies, in an interview at Makino's suburban Detroit facility in Auburn Hills.

Rick Finnie grew up in Brea, a town outside of Anaheim. When he contacted Brea School District Superintendent Brad Mason, Finnie was pleasantly surprised to learn that Brea Junior High school has industrial arts classes.

As consumer brands pledge aggressive action to use a lot more recycled plastics in their packaging, the big question is: Where will it all come from?

Thogus Products Co., which does medium- to high-volume injection molding and contract manufacturing, has acquired Proto Plastics Inc., a low-volume molder specializing in close-tolerance parts and assemblies.

KW Plastics Recycling is riding the wave of big consumer product company commitments to using post-consumer plastics.

This column is one half of this week's viewpoint reflecting on 30 years. Visit Audrey LaForest's blog for the other half.

When Rich Freeman opened Freetech Plastics in Fremont, Calif., the site was next to cow pastures. Now Tesla is next door and developers are hungry for land, so the company will close.

Bill Bregar was one of the first staff members hired when Plastics News began 30 years ago. Audrey LaForest wasn't even born yet when PN's first issue was published. Both cover machinery, where change is always under way.

Lew Ferguson has enjoyed a front-row seat to not only blow molding advancements, but the SPE Blow Molding Division as well.

After greatly expanding its clean room capacity for medical molding, Tessy Plastics Corp. could be adding even more, as the central New York custom molder considers a $20 million investment.

Louisville, Ky.-based Rev-A-Shelf LLC has acquired Sidelines Inc., a maker of metal closet organizers such as racks for ties and belts, and pantry items like wire racks for wine and spices.

Extrusion will get a full showing at K 2019 — compounding, pipe and profile, medical tubing, and even a touch of pultrusion. Bioresins and recycled materials are among the "green extrusion" highlights.

John Beary is no longer president of Yizumi-HPM Corp., the Iberia, Ohio, operation that sells injection molding machines and die casting equipment made in China by Guangdong Yizumi Precision Machinery Co. Ltd.

Plastics industry veteran Rick Shaffer has restarted his consulting firm InterTech Rx LLC in Chandler, Ariz.

The Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pa., held a dedication ceremony Sept. 24 for the Shell Polymers Rotational Molding Center of Excellence.