By Lindsey Munson, editor, Plastics Business With 2025 knocking at the door, the plastics industry is ready to turn the page by building on the momentum of the last year, maneuvering market demands, establishing relationships and strategically planning for the year ahead. There is cautious optimism among plastics processors, who likely will face challenges of economic … [Read more...] about Outlook for 2025: Trends, Challenges and Investments in Plastics
Articles
Robots in the Manufacturing Space: 10 Tried-and-True or New-and-Noteworthy Automatons
By Liz Stevens, writer, Plastics Business The robots aren’t coming; they already are here. Automation in the form of robotic arms has been around for decades for factory work, and autonomous mobile robots are becoming widespread in manufacturing. Humanoid robots are the next incarnation of automation and they, too, are touted as helpful additions to the plant floor … [Read more...] about Robots in the Manufacturing Space: 10 Tried-and-True or New-and-Noteworthy Automatons
Viewpoint: Thought Leaders… What They Took!
Nearly 600 processing executives assembled in Indianapolis during the first week of October for MAPP’s Benchmarking and Best Practices Conference. These industry professionals, who came from 32 different states and traveled from abroad, gathered for the purpose of improving – to become better business professionals and leaders. If you’ve not yet experienced this event, it’s … [Read more...] about Viewpoint: Thought Leaders… What They Took!
Do You Know the Markets You’re Working In?
By Dianna Brodine, vice president, editorial, Plastics Business Plastics molding operations are creating products for every industry – automotive, electronics, appliance, food packaging, toys, promotional materials, medical and so much more. After the Great Recession in 2008, most processors have moved to a business model where they no longer specialize in production for one … [Read more...] about Do You Know the Markets You’re Working In?
Embracing the Cactus: A Step-by-Step Guide to Navigating Difficult Conversations
By Kate Zabriskie, president, Business Training Works, Inc. “I don’t like confrontation, but I’m tired of his abuse. He signed me up for another committee without asking.” “I know I need to say something about her taking credit for my work, but how to start?” “Another joy of adulting, I’ve got to have one of those thorny conversations. Not fun.” Difficult … [Read more...] about Embracing the Cactus: A Step-by-Step Guide to Navigating Difficult Conversations