by Nichole Crawford, JD, LL.M, CLU, ChFC, CAP, Federated Insurance By nature, business owners are entrepreneurs. They're an optimistic breed – comfortable with risk, able to confidently figure things out and skilled at building something significant. Historically, they have seen opportunities and seized the ones that made sense. These same traits can be applied to proper … [Read more...] about Succession Planning for Business Owners
Business Planning
Plastics Processor Relative Value Drivers
by Michael D. Benson and David M. Evatz, SRR Given the turbulent economic conditions over the last few years and the effect on the plastics industry, many processors are just glad to have survived. As conditions begin to improve, processors are looking to move beyond the survival tactics used over the last few years and are once again considering strategic moves that have been … [Read more...] about Plastics Processor Relative Value Drivers
Future Markets in Plastics: A Second Look
by Dr. Peter Mooney, Plastics Custom Research Services I contributed an article to the Winter 2010 issue of Plastics Business in which I reviewed the growth of the major plastics industry markets from 2004 through 2009 and then speculated as to likely developments out to 2014. Normally, there are few second chances in life. However, I've been offered the opportunity to revisit … [Read more...] about Future Markets in Plastics: A Second Look
Legislative Outlook: End of 2010 Provides Reasons for Optimism in 2011
by William R. Carteaux, SPI While it may still be years before we return to what "normal" used to be, I believe the U.S. plastics industry is in the middle of a rebound from the economic dog days of late 2008 and 2009. Processors have focused on adopting lean manufacturing practices, and many have found that they have had to market themselves like never before in order to find … [Read more...] about Legislative Outlook: End of 2010 Provides Reasons for Optimism in 2011
The Economy and Plastics Processors: Cultural Shift Remains Key to Survival
by Laurie Harbour, Harbour Results, Inc. It's been two years since the economy encountered one of the worst crashes in history. Where are plastics processors now? Many more than expected survived the crisis by going into hibernation and changing the way they worked and lived. In hibernation, processors were forced to use fewer resources. Necessities such as people, equipment, … [Read more...] about The Economy and Plastics Processors: Cultural Shift Remains Key to Survival