By Brett Beardsley, president, Bear Industrial Group Whether injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming or rotomolding, equipment breakdowns are inevitable in a manufacturing facility – some with simple-fix solutions and some requiring extensive repairs or replacements. The decision of whether to repair or replace equipment can come down to the availability of skilled … [Read more...] about To Repair or Not to Repair?
Process Improvement
The View from 30 Feet: Bamar Plastics Saves Time, Bolsters ROI with STEPsaver Mobile Cart
by Lara Copeland, contributing writer, Plastics Business Last spring when much of the world shut down, people stayed home, often rediscovering long-lost hobbies, streaming binge-worthy shows or taking time to try to relax while chaos ensued outside… But not Heather Meixel, CEO and president of Bamar Plastics, South Bend, Indiana, custom injection molder for the medical and … [Read more...] about The View from 30 Feet: Bamar Plastics Saves Time, Bolsters ROI with STEPsaver Mobile Cart
Technology Trends in Auxiliary Equipment
by Liz Stevens, contributing writer, Plastics Business For plastics processors and the companies that provide auxiliary equipment to them, 2020 was the year that was… was a challenge, was an opportunity, was a reminder that we work better together and was definitely not business as usual. This article takes a look at how new technology has helped auxiliary equipment suppliers … [Read more...] about Technology Trends in Auxiliary Equipment
Program Launch Best Practices in a Pandemic-Pressed World
by Cynthia Kustush, contributing writer, Plastics Business Plastics processors are accustomed to pressures of new program launches and meeting customer expectations. Whether the program launch entails implementing production using new molds or transferred molds, there are processes to follow and deadlines to meet. But today, processors are approaching program launches a bit … [Read more...] about Program Launch Best Practices in a Pandemic-Pressed World
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