MAPP Association News

Plastics Business

MAPP Releases 2013 Wage and Salary Report

MAPP’s executive team announced the official release of the 2013 Wage and Salary Report. MAPP’s Wage and Salary Report has greatly evolved over the last 10 years and remains one of the most utilized and sought after reports for compensation benchmarks in the plastics manufacturing industry. Today, the report contains comprehensive analysis on over 50 different job classifications with aggregated data from over 200 plastics facilities. These job classifications represent over 15,250 employees in the plastics industry.

MAPP’s Wage and Salary Report is recognized as the most comprehensive analysis of compensation rates and trends in the plastics industry. Participation for the 2013 survey grew by 20 percent over the 2011 Wage and Salary Report. All MAPP Members that participated in providing data have received the full report. One member executive stated in response to receiving the information: "I rely on the MAPP Wage and Salary Report to benchmark for our budget every year."

New this year is the added feature of regional data availability. Members and non-members have the opportunity to purchase a more targeted report with data specific to their region. To take advantage of this new benefit or to purchase a copy of the full report, visit www.mappinc.com or contact the office at 317.913.2440.

MAPP Membership on Record-Setting Pace: 28 New MAPP Member Companies in 2013

2013 already has proven to be a year of significant growth for MAPP membership. In the first four months, 28 new companies have joined the organization. On average, MAPP has experienced the addition of more than 42 new member companies every year for the past six years. However, the current trend has MAPP reaching well over 60 new members this year and catapulting the total membership over the 300 mark. MAPP welcomes the following companies to the organization:

All-Plastics Molding Incorporated, Dallas, TX
AMCO Polymers, Carmel, IN
ASH Industries, Lafayette, LA
B&B Molded Products, Inc., Napoleon, OH
Belmont Engineered Plastics LLC, Belmont, MI
Dayton Superior Corporation, Rialto, CA
Dickten Masch Plastics, Ankeny, IA
Ex-Tech Plastics Inc., Richmond, IL
FastCap, Bellingham, WA
Hunter Industries, San Marcos, CA
Kent Elastomer Products (Mogadore), Mogadore, OH
Kent Elastomer Products (Winesburg), Winesburg, OH
Kent Elastomer Products, Inc., Kent, OH
Legacy Custom Plastics, St. Petersburg, FL
Mack Molding (SC), Inman, SC
Mack Molding Co. (NC), Statesville, NC
MedBio, Inc., Grand Rapids, MI
Midwest Molding, Inc., Bartlett, IL
Molding Business Services, Inc., Florence, MA
Molex, Inc., Pinellas Park, FL
MTM Molded Products Company, Dayton, OH
Octex Holdings LLC., Sarasota, FL
Par 4 Plastics Inc., Marion, KY
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, Erie, PA
Schnipke Engraving Co. Inc., Ottoville, OH
Schnipke Southwest LLC., Tucson, AZ
Thomson Plastics Inc., Thomson, GA
Yupo USA, Chesapeake, VA

Resin Benchmarking Data Collection Period Launched

MAPP has launched a comprehensive resin benchmarking survey that will collect data on the key resin families. The purpose of these surveys is to provide members with relevant information so they can better understand the raw materials marketplace. The MAPP Raw Materials Subcommittee initiated the first resin benchmarking report in 2009 and since then has revised, enhanced and added several more resin families to benchmark. It is the goal of the committee to provide a quick turnaround of information that includes: manufacturer, nomenclature, cost per pound, color, annual usage, packaging and release quantity.

Members of MAPP’s Raw Materials Subcommittee would like to urge all MAPP Member executives to participate in the resin benchmarking surveys. The more data collected, the stronger quality of the final reports. Chairperson of the Raw Material Subcommittee Bob Holbrook, Viking Plastics, stated, "MAPP’s benchmarking system will redefine the future in how each MAPP processor approaches the resin marketplace. To quote Peter Drucker: ‘The only thing we know about the future is that it will be different.’ MAPP intends on making that difference positive for each Member company."

MAPP Corporate Partners Added

MAPP not only is seeing growth in the membership, but also there has been a significant increase in the number of Corporate Partners that have joined the association. During the first quarter of 2013, five new companies joined as Corporate Partners: Routsis Training, Amco Polymers, PolySource, Network Polymers and Molding Business Solutions. Mike Walter, vice president of MAPP and general manager of MET Plastics, expressed, "Vendors are recognizing the incredible benefit of our network and membership loyalty; therefore, they are working hard to learn how to partner. MAPP is thankful for all of our Corporate Partners and their desire to assist our member with the tools and resources to strongly benefit their company."

Amco Plastic Materials Inc. was founded in 1955 with a philosophy based on helping customers find solutions to problems and a commitment to continuous improvement and service. From that philosophy, Amco has continued to grow, adding diverse services and product offerings such as distribution, compounding, color matching, dry color, color concentrates and anti-counterfeiting. Amco understands that speed is essential in today’s competitive marketplace.

Routsis Training was founded over 30 years ago to fill the pressing need in the plastics industry for engaging, ongoing training. Today, Routsis Training materials are used in over 2,400 companies in 37 countries. This includes 93 learning centers and educational institutions that use Routsis interactive training programs as part of their standard curriculum.

Molding Business Services is a consulting firm dedicated to the plastics processing industry. Its main focus is custom injection molding, but the company also works with blow molders, thermoformers, compounders, extruders, prototypers, rubber molders and contract manufacturers. Molding Business Services provide small- to medium-sized companies with executive recruiting services, M&A advisory services (merger, acquisition, divestiture, restructuring, valuation, business brokering) and commercial consulting.

Network Polymers, Inc. is a leading single source provider of thermoplastic resins and alloys. The company offers a broad spectrum of custom resins and alloys to meet specific product design and manufacturing requirements. Network Polymers also is the exclusive producer of the Diamond Polymer brand of ABS, ABS/PC, ASA and ASA/PC products.

PolySource, Inc. manufactures color EPS (expandable polystyrene) resin and specialty EPS co-polymers. Its worldwide customer base typically consists of EPS molders that produce shape-molded products for a variety of applications. An untiring commitment to quality and service has made PolySource a leader in its industry.

Dates Announced for the Industry’s Leading Benchmarking and Best Practices Conference

Every year the MAPP Benchmarking Conference reaches new records in attendance. The expectation for this year is to have over 425 plastics professionals gathering at the JW Marriott in Downtown Indianapolis on Oct. 17 and 18. This event is focused on the plastic processor executive and is jam-packed with best practices, leading edge benchmarks, expert presentations and the best networking opportunities in the United States plastics industry. The core of this year’s event will provide a laser focus on business improvement strategies and tactics as business executives continue to aggressively focus on improving throughput and efficiencies with lessening amounts of resources.

The theme of "PUSH PLAY" corresponds with last year’s presentation by Troy Nix, MAPP’s executive director. During the event, Nix challenged audience members to act on at least one concept or idea they heard while attending. "The Conference Committee strives every year to make the next conference better than the last," stated Nix. "We recruit speakers who have implemented change and require the presenters to share several take-away concepts for the attendees to implement in their own plants. However, beyond key presenters, we have found that the networking with other professionals probably is the most significant takeaways attendees experience; therefore, we are offering a few unique opportunities this year to enhance the interaction between plastics professionals."

To learn more about how this conference is different, visit www.benchmarkingconference.com.