While work on the first issue of 2021 is well underway, we paused to see which Plastics Business articles from 2020 caught the eyes of our readers. The following stories were the top reads from 2020 for visitors to the website.
1. Are Women the Answer to Manufacturing’s Talent Crisis
Solving the talent problem in the US manufacturing industry has been – and will continue to be – a priority for plastics processors. Four women at the top of the profession spoke with Plastics Business to discuss their start in the industry and the steps that manufacturers can take to encourage more women to look at jobs in the industry.
2. Nationally Funded Program Offers Assistance to Manufacturers
Fighting global competition requires resources that may be beyond the reach of small- to midsize manufacturing companies. As far back as 1962, the US government attempted to level the playing field with the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program.
3. Training Matrix: The Roadmap for Employee Advancement
Creating and conducting a training program is hard work, but it is worth the investment – because when employees gain knowledge, companies gain valuable expertise. However, creating a methodology that easily explains the program and the benefits it offers can be challenging.
4. Applying Industry 4.0 in Plastics Processing
Industry 4.0 has moved far beyond its early status as a technological buzzword. The application of data-collecting, automated technologies is changing the traditional manufacturing plant by creating efficiencies, pointing out areas of improvement and integrating systems from the very beginning stages of product production to the final shipping process.
5. The Impact of COVID-19 on Plastics and Parallel Industries
The Manufacturers Association for Plastics Processors (MAPP), in response to processing executives’ request for data to better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, began generating biweekly “pulse” reports in the early part of April 2020. These pulse reports cover plant operating levels, supply chain disruptions, customer shutdowns and more.
