by Chris Kuehl, managing director, Armada Corporate Intelligence The data that has come pouring from China of late points to a real economic crisis, the worst the nation has experienced in decades. The slump in the second quarter took the economy to a contraction of 2.6% from the first quarter and the annual growth rate was a pathetic 0.4%. This affects the entire global … [Read more...] about China’s Threat to Itself and the World
2022 Issue 3
Techniques for a Successful Mold-Building Partnership
by Gene Mussel, director, Harbour Results, Inc. Today, plastic processors have many challenges to manage to maintain a successful business – from raw material price increases to labor shortages – and, several of these issues are out of leadership’s control. However, one opportunity to drive efficiency and profitability improvement – and can be controlled – is the relationship … [Read more...] about Techniques for a Successful Mold-Building Partnership
Finding and Assessing New Business Opportunities
by Nicole Mitchell, editor, Plastics Business Manufacturing companies across the US are struggling to find the right new business opportunities for their teams – and those new opportunities have to be weighed against current capacity due to labor shortages, increased product cost, transportation issues and more. In the last two years, manufacturers have had to step back and … [Read more...] about Finding and Assessing New Business Opportunities
Processors Increase Wages Amid Historically High US Inflation Rate
by Marcella Kates, marketing director, MAPP Manufacturers have faced historically challenging issues in the past three years, including a chaotic and unpredictable supply chain network, increasing resin prices and lead times, a national labor shortage, an unpredictable international pandemic that disrupts the global economy and the highest inflation rate since November 1981 … [Read more...] about Processors Increase Wages Amid Historically High US Inflation Rate
It’s Time to Intentionally Connect
by Dianna Brodine, vice president, editorial, Plastics Business I’m traveling more these days – to tradeshows, conferences and plant tours – and it feels GOOD to connect with people again. From hugs with old friends to handshakes with new acquaintances, these relationships are filling my tank with energy, ideas and purpose. However, it’s not easy for everyone to reach out and … [Read more...] about It’s Time to Intentionally Connect