Plastics Business It's no secret that resin prices have increased, putting pressure on plastic processors and reducing bottom line profits. In a recent MAPP economic survey, more than 88 percent of executives responding indicated that they had seen price increases in the first quarter of 2008, continuing an 18 month trend of similar market volatility. Plastics Business … [Read more...] about Resin Purchasing Strategies
Articles
We Don’t Need to Assess Our Operations – We Are Doing Great!
by Laurie Harbour-Felax The majority of the readers of this publication, along with a majority of other manufacturing companies throughout the country, have probably repeated the title statement far more than one time. In todays environment, many small- to middle-market business owners are struggling with their performance both financially and operationally, but feel they … [Read more...] about We Don’t Need to Assess Our Operations – We Are Doing Great!
PRD, Inc.: Remaining Agile in a Changing Market
PRD, Inc.: Remaining Agile in a Changing Market by Dianna Brodine Profile Spring 2008 Pop Quiz: A customer calls with an urgent need for a low-volume part run that must be molded in a dust-free environment. You have no clean room on site. What do you do? The PRD Response? Build a temporary Class 100,000 clean room to accommodate the customer in four days. Located … [Read more...] about PRD, Inc.: Remaining Agile in a Changing Market
A Continuous Improvement Idea: Update Your Costing and Quoting Process
by Tim Lewis The concept of continuous improvement is well established and has proven invaluable for increasing consistency and efficiencies in manufacturing processes. However, few businesses have taken the opportunity to apply these principles to professional business practices even though the benefits are equally impressive. Any business process that is repeated can … [Read more...] about A Continuous Improvement Idea: Update Your Costing and Quoting Process
MAPP Report: 2007 Raw Materials Survey
by Staff How does a plastics manufacturing business maintain profit margins in a marketplace in which nearly 40 percent of its manufacturing costs fluctuate on a daily basis? To gain a better understanding of this question, MAPP was asked by its Members to perform a survey focused on how processors are managing the process of buying raw materials. Based upon a list of 21 … [Read more...] about MAPP Report: 2007 Raw Materials Survey