By Laurie Harbour-Felax
The majority of the readers of this publication, along with a majority of other manufacturing companies throughout the country, have probably repeated the title statement far more than one time. In today’s environment, many small- to middle-market business owners are struggling with their performance both financially and operationally, but feel they have a […]

By Tim Lewis
The concept of continuous improvement is well established and has proven invaluable for increasing consistency and efficiencies in manufacturing processes. However, few businesses have taken the opportunity to apply these principles to professional business practices even though the benefits are equally impressive.
Any business process that is repeated can benefit from the application of […]

By Dianna Brodine
Pop Quiz: A customer calls with an urgent need for a low-volume part run that must be molded in a dust-free environment. You have no clean room on site. What do you do?Â
The PRD Response? Build a temporary Class 100,000 clean room to accommodate the customer… in four days.
Located in Springville, Ind., PRD, […]

The pressure is on plastics processors to produce low-cost parts for their customers while still maintaining a comfortable profit margin. Energy and materials costs make up a significant portion of the production price for any item. Two U.S. plastics processors are having success in bringing those critical price points down and have shared their experience.
 

Reducing […]

By Jeff Mengel

When it comes to running your business, how do you gauge conditions? Do you stick your finger out the window - flying blind - or, like a pilot, do you rely on the instruments available to you to ensure your business maintains a consistent altitude and direction?
 
When it comes to quoting - one […]

How does a plastics manufacturing business maintain profit margins in a marketplace in which nearly 40 percent of its manufacturing costs fluctuate on a daily basis? To gain a better understanding of this question, MAPP was asked by its Members to perform a survey focused on how processors are managing the process of buying raw […]

The market offers plastics processors a wide range of temperature-control equipment and systems for cooling and chilling industrial process fluids. The five companies represented in this Buyers Report responded to our requests for information and represent a sample of the manufacturers supplying coolers and chillers to the plastics processing industry.
 

Advantage Engineering, Inc.
(317) 887-0729
www.advantageengineering.com

 
Advantage is committed […]

In 1987, three sales engineers saw an opportunity with the Japanese transplant Tier 1 automotive suppliers located in south central Michigan. Six years later, the company they started made the Inc. 500 list as the 101st fastest-growing company. Today, Team 1 Michigan is running 24/7, producing small plastic molded parts in an environment that strives […]

When equipment goes down, so do profit margins. When equipment fails to operate efficiently, the production line is no longer running at optimum performance. Accurate and timely data collection can provide information that keeps equipment running at peak efficiency, from maintenance through to repair.

The companies represented in this Buyers Report graciously responded to our […]

By Kym Conis
Open a newspaper or magazine, turn to the business section, and it’s no surprise that one of the most reported topics of the day continues to focus on the influx of Western companies into China and the proliferation of product going overseas. As the race to produce more for less continues to drive […]