Plastics Business In September 2010, KPMG, an international audit, tax and advisory firm, released its Global Manufacturing Outlook: Relationships, Risk and Reach. The report noted that nearly 38 percent of manufacturing executives involved in the supply chain believed long-term relationships had been damaged over the previous year as the downturn forced them to focus on costs … [Read more...] about Examining Supplier Partnerships: Focus on Service, Knowledge
Articles
Legislative Outlook: End of 2010 Provides Reasons for Optimism in 2011
by William R. Carteaux, SPI While it may still be years before we return to what "normal" used to be, I believe the U.S. plastics industry is in the middle of a rebound from the economic dog days of late 2008 and 2009. Processors have focused on adopting lean manufacturing practices, and many have found that they have had to market themselves like never before in order to find … [Read more...] about Legislative Outlook: End of 2010 Provides Reasons for Optimism in 2011
Cost Savings Through Effective Purging
by John Pizzo, Sun Plastech, Inc. The plastic waste created every day by poor resin color changes and product contamination is a significant drain on the efficiency and profitability of processors already under pressure from a highly competitive global marketplace. Plastics processors have reacted to this challenge by introducing new management and quality enhancement … [Read more...] about Cost Savings Through Effective Purging
Lean and Green at DOREL Juvenile Group
by Dianna Brodine Dorel Juvenile Group Inc. manufactures some of the most recognizable products in the world – if you are a parent. Producing car seats, potties, step stools, bath tubs, strollers and more for Cosco and Safety 1st, Dorel Juvenile Group Inc. represents the largest single segment of its $2.0 billion parent company, Dorel Industries. Its customer base includes … [Read more...] about Lean and Green at DOREL Juvenile Group
The Economy and Plastics Processors: Cultural Shift Remains Key to Survival
by Laurie Harbour, Harbour Results, Inc. It's been two years since the economy encountered one of the worst crashes in history. Where are plastics processors now? Many more than expected survived the crisis by going into hibernation and changing the way they worked and lived. In hibernation, processors were forced to use fewer resources. Necessities such as people, equipment, … [Read more...] about The Economy and Plastics Processors: Cultural Shift Remains Key to Survival