Sales Process Forum Engages 100 Member Companies

Over 100 member companies from across the US gathered virtually July 15 and 16 for the 2020 Sales Process Forum. This annual event, now in its second year, is a unique experience designed by plastics industry sales professionals to benchmark and share best practices regarding their sales processes.

Day one featured speakers and breakout sessions focused on Marketing Growth and Optimization. The second day focused on Maximizing the Sales Process. This virtual event included expert-led presentations from speakers such as Shelly Otenbaker of Waypoint Marketing and Laurie Harbour of Harbour Results, Inc., along with peer-led breakouts from team members of MAPP-member companies like Crescent Industries, EG Industries, Sussex IM and Viking Plastics. Additionally, attendees engaged in one-on-one and group exchanges, sales process benchmarking and specially designed networking opportunities. Watch the MAPP events calendar for more virtual events at mappinc.com/events.

MAPP Welcomes New Members

Alwin Manufacturing Co., Inc. – Green Bay, Wisconsin
Classic Die – Grand Rapids, Michigan
LMT-Mercer Group, Inc. – Lawrence Township, New Jersey
Melet Plastics, Inc. – Fargo, North Dakota
Paragon Plastics – Titusville, Florida
Plastic Design & Manufacturing, Inc. – Manhattan, Montana
ProjectXYZ, Inc. – Huntsville, Alabama
SK Plastic Molding, Inc. – Monroe, Wisconsin

2020 Benchmarking and Best Practices Conference Goes Virtual

The Manufacturers Association for Plastics Processors (MAPP) announced that The Benchmarking and Best Practices Conference, originally slated for October 2020 in Indianapolis, will convert to a virtual event due to health and safety concerns related to COVID-19. The decision was made after extensive consideration and in consultation with the MAPP Board of Directors and conference team.

“The Benchmarking Conference is the highlight of our year, and we know that it means as much to our attendees, sponsors, members and partners as it does to us,” said MAPP Board President Tim Capps, Par4 Plastics. “But after carefully monitoring the situation and conducting ongoing conversations with experts, it became clear that the only responsible option was to host a virtual event this year.”

“Going virtual has opened up all kinds of opportunities that just wouldn’t have been possible with past models,” said Letha Keslar, conference director. “The caliber of speakers and programming is incredible, and we expect our audience to triple due to the ease of not having to travel this year.”

This year’s conference theme is Opportunity is Knocking, a theme that is critically relevant given the current state of the world. Conference organizers are addressing the questions that are top-of-mind right now: Where do we go from here? How do we keep innovation going and the ecosystem strong? Has this pandemic identified new needs? In place of the in-person event, the conference team plans for a virtual conference experience running the week of October 19 through 23. Additional details about the Benchmarking and Best Practices Conference, including programming, agenda and more, can be found at mappinc.com/conference.

MAPP Conducting Annual Wage and Salary

The Manufacturers Association for Plastics Processors (MAPP) conducted its annual Wage and Salary survey for 2020 in August. Now in its 18th year, this keystone study analyzes information on over 55 job titles specific to the plastics industry, as well as additional operational benchmarks. The report covers job titles in multiple areas of a plastics business including, but not limited to, administration, technical, operations and management. Participants in this survey included over 200 US plastics manufacturing companies who reported wage and salary information on employees in current job positions. MAPP’s Wage and Salary Report has evolved each year to encompass new job titles, as well as important industry and business trends within the plastics industry. This report remains one of the very few compensation reports dedicated exclusively to the plastics manufacturing industry. More information on this report and other benchmarking studies can be found at mappinc.com.

EHS Summit Will Be Virtual in 2020

ehs_logo_with_associationsMAPP, ARPM and the AMBA announced that the 2020 Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Summit will take place virtually November 11 and 12. The EHS Summit is designed to share best leadership and safety practices with industry professionals hoping to achieve world-class safety within their companies. Attendees will focus on best practices in environment, health and safety, along with ways to become a better leader in safety.

This summit promises to provide high-level safety professionals with implementable ideas to improve their operations and achieve world-class safety. The keynote speaker for the 2020 virtual event is Joe Tantarelli of Safestart. Tantarelli is an inspiring presenter who can relate “real life” to the training he provides. Look for more information and registration at mappinc.com/events.