by Dianna Brodine, managing editor Plastics Business A Google search for “sales” turns up a lot of inspirational messages about serving the customer, but not much about making sure the customer serves your business. Yet, not every customer is the right customer. Sales staff are tasked with filling the sales funnel to ensure consistent revenue, but it’s also important to … [Read more...] about Sales Strategies: How to Balance Customer Satisfaction and the Bottom Line
2020 Issue 1
Nationally Funded Program Offers Assistance to Manufacturers
by Dianna Brodine, managing editor Plastics Business 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. According to a 2017 Congressional Research Report, “The Trade … [Read more...] about Nationally Funded Program Offers Assistance to Manufacturers
Molders are Looking Forward with 20/20 Vision of the Year Ahead
by Cynthia Kustush, contributing writer Plastics Business It can be difficult to put a finger on the pulse of US manufacturing. For so long it has ebbed and flowed, influenced by many factors including the price of oil, tax and trade policies, workforce development (or the lack thereof) and even disease and natural disaster events here and abroad. One notable influencing … [Read more...] about Molders are Looking Forward with 20/20 Vision of the Year Ahead
Using a Web-based Document Control and Training Platform at Automation Plastics
by Lara Copeland, contributing editor Plastics Business Tribal knowledge, information that is known within a specific group of people and not often known outside of that circle, can be both beneficial and damaging for any manufacturing company. The wisdom and capabilities that specific employees possess can produce exceptional results that are not achievable for others. … [Read more...] about Using a Web-based Document Control and Training Platform at Automation Plastics
Forecasts are Changing for Plastics Manufacturers in 2020
by Ashley Turrell, membership & analytics director MAPP Fourth-quarter indicators are down, nearly across the board, for plastics processors. Company leaders are reporting slowing sales, lower quoting activity and shrinking profit margins to round out the end of 2019. This stands in stark contrast to the sentiments and data shared just one year ago, according to the … [Read more...] about Forecasts are Changing for Plastics Manufacturers in 2020