By Josef Keglewitsch, partner, Ice Miller LLP The industry likely has seen more upheaval in commercial contracts in the past five years than it did in the 20 years that preceded that period. It is no coincidence that recent history has seen an economy beset by unprecedented challenges: pandemics, labor shortages, energy crises, transportation challenges and a supply chain … [Read more...] about Contracting in a New World
Business Planning
How to Get the Most Out of Exhibiting at NPE2024
By Greg Hannoosh and Mark Malloy, Next Step Communications, Inc. After a six-year absence, North America’s biggest plastics event is back, and NPE is coming to Orlando, Florida, from May 6-10, 2024. If you are one of the more than 2,000 companies exhibiting at the show, the booth space has already been chosen. Now what? How will your company be presented at NPE? And, how … [Read more...] about How to Get the Most Out of Exhibiting at NPE2024
Best Practices for New Program Start-Up: The Supplier Perspective
By Lindsey Munson, editor, Plastics Business Molders and OEMs are accustomed to the industry’s pressures when it comes to onboarding suppliers, mold production cycles, meeting customer demands, implementing new protocols, and the list goes on – but, what about the pressure that comes with a new program start-up? Of course, most, if not all molders and OEMs have a strategy … [Read more...] about Best Practices for New Program Start-Up: The Supplier Perspective
A Collision of the Global Supply Chain: Politics, Inflation and Alternative Sources
By Chris Kuehl, managing director, Armada Corporate Intelligence Not that manufacturing has avoided talking about international issues in the past, but there have been new developments that have been pushing these issues to the forefront – especially for the plastics industry. There is an old adage that asserts, “When elephants fight it is the mice that suffer.” The US and … [Read more...] about A Collision of the Global Supply Chain: Politics, Inflation and Alternative Sources
New Tax Law Rewards Manufacturers for Going Green
By Teri Samples, partner and CPA, Wipfli The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) gave a boost to the manufacturing industry. Specifically, the new law rewards plastics processors for various investment initiatives to either incentivize or reward taxpayers who engage in a variety of clean energy practices. Many times, these investments make good business sense, with shorter than … [Read more...] about New Tax Law Rewards Manufacturers for Going Green