business

Blow Molder with a Mission: CKS Packaging Shares Gains Of Its Phenomenal Growth

From three machines in 1986 to 27 plants nationwide today, this family-owned processor has prospered through unwavering customer service, committed employees and dedicated service to its community.

Matthew Naitove
Contributing Editor, Plastics Technology

Boise State Team Wins Circular Plastics Challenge Focused On PET Recovery

NPE2024: The competition is a collaboration between Hillenbrand, Net Impact and Coca Cola.

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Paulson Training Acquired

Certus, a technical skills training business and portfolio company of private equity firm Ridgemont Equity Partners, has acquired the plastics processing training business founded in 1981.

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Smart Assistant Bridges Injection Molding Skills Gap

NPE2024: MAX the Process Advisor, as well as free presentations and training by RJG Inc.

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Educational Grant and Student Scholarships Open

The Society of Plastics Engineers’ Mold Technologies division is accepting applications for a $5,000 educational grant and a new $3,000 student scholarship honoring Glenn Beall.

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Strategic Workforce Management Supports the Moldmaking Industry

NPE2024: Kruse presents its workforce management framework for optimized organization and management of human resources. 

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American Injection Molding Institute Opens Mold Maintenance Classroom

The Beaumont subsidiary has opened the Mold Maintenance Center of Excellence classroom at its Erie, Pennsylvania, headquarters.

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Spark Stages Bring Education to NPE2024 Show Floor

Three stages, five days of programming and more than 75 sessions — the all-new Spark Stages at NPE2024 give attendees a chance to rest their feet and exercise their minds.


The Experience Curve and Well-Trained Process Technicians

Pairing external big picture training with internal job-specific instruction can help your process technicians meet quality expectations as well as production targets.

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KraussMaffei and NIAR Propel Injection Molded Thermoplastic Composites

The maker of plastics processing equipment has placed a machine and an injection molding expert in NIAR’s ATLAS lab in Wichita, Kansas, to help molding, composites and aerospace take off. 

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The Cost of High Employee Turnover in Injection Molding: Why Retention Matters

Starting in molding in 1993 and clocking in for nearly every job on the floor over the intervening decades, I’ve seen all sides of the hiring, training and retention process in the industry. Here are my thoughts on how to keep your most important asset — your people.

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Mold-Change Time Targeted with Training, Technology

Engel is offering technology and training to molders to help them optimize their mold-changing process.

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Plastics Processors Who Hire ‘Second-Chance’ Workers Do Well by Doing Good

Two blow molders with long-standing programs of hiring formerly incarcerated low-level offenders have helped these individuals re-enter their communities and have benefited from an additional resource during chronic labor shortages.

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Blow Molder Confer Plastics Celebrates Golden Anniversary & the ‘American Dream’

This family-run firm fills a specialized niche with a culture of innovation and environmental stewardship that realizes the dreams of its founders, its employees and its customers.

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Educating the Next Generation of Plastics Professionals

These schools and local industry are working together to close the workforce gap in the plastics industry by offering hefty plastics curricula and training programs for degree-seeking students as well as current plastics employees looking to upskill.

Tony Deligio
Editor-in-Chief, Plastics Technology

Guill Adds Three to Employee Roster

Extrusion tooling maker Guill Tool has recently hired of three new employees.

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Teaching Kids About the ‘Magic’ of Manufacturing

Making something out of (almost) nothing is an ‘eye opener’ for youngsters in their first exposure to plastics processing.

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Wittmann Delivers Injection Molding Workcell to Alabama Community College

Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC) installed the Wittmann SmartPower120 molding machine with an integrated robot, temperature control unit (TCU) and dryer to support its plastics education program.

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Learn Fundamentals of Materials Handling in Self-Paced Online Course

Learn about equipment, procedures and maintenance for material handling related to injection molding.

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Silicone Elastomer Course Returns

After completely filling the classroom last year, the Silicone Elastomers Technology and Fabrication course returns to Pomona, Calif. Jan. 31-Feb. 3.

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TAPPI to Provide Film Education Program at PTXPO 2023

Second-ever PTXPO will feature a robust education program on flexible film, with more technical programming in the works.  

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Education at NPE2024: 3D Printing Workshop

Learn about the emerging possibilities for part production via 3D printing/additive manufacturing.  


RJG Adds LS Mtron Molding Machine To Training Facility in North Carolina

The all-electric WIZ-55E was installed at RJG’s new training facility located on the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) campus in Kannapolis.

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Shawnee State University’s Plastics Engineering Program Earns Accreditation

The Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology certification makes the university’s program one of just four bachelor’s programs in the world with this designation and the only program of its kind in the state of Ohio.

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Engel North America Launched Apprenticeship Program

Certified and registered within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the program lasts four years with a combination of on-the-job experience and classroom-based instruction.

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Global Show, Global Training

Visitors to RJG’s K 2022 booth can watch training segments from each of its global offices in the RJG Theater, as well as get hands-on demos of its CoPilot process control and Hub networking devices.

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Plastics Recycling LATAM Event Reflects Interest in Recycling in Latin America

New conference provides platform for discussion of plastic recycling trends.

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