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
Business Planning
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
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
The Five Myths of Business Strategy
by Rich Horwath, CEO Strategic Thinking Institute Consider some of the most popular myths: Lightning never strikes the same place twice (it does). There is no gravity in space (there is… just less). Pigeons blow up if fed uncooked rice (they don’t). Which myths or half-truths have permeated your organization, and what effect have they had on your business? … [Read more...] about The Five Myths of Business Strategy
Recent Acquisition Relied on Relationships, Fit
by Dianna Brodine, managing editor Plastics Business In October, two Ohio companies merged to operate under one ownership umbrella as Thogus (Avon Lake, Ohio) acquired Proto Plastics (Tipp City, Ohio). Separated by nearly 200 miles, the two plastics processing entities were connected by a thread that ran through MBS Advisors and a meeting a few years ago at the Manufacturers … [Read more...] about Recent Acquisition Relied on Relationships, Fit