Association News
MAPP, Inc.
Benchmarking Conference Goes Mobile
Register now for the 2013 Benchmarking Conference in Indianapolis, Oct. 17-18 at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis. The Benchmarking and Best Practices Conference is a no-nonsense business exchange designed to provide profit-impacting information to senior executives in the plastics and rubber manufacturing industries.
New this year is the addition of our Benchmarking Conference mobile app, sponsored by Yushin America, Inc. This app will allow attendees to network in real time, right in the palm of their hand with fellow attendees! Plus, you can chat with those already registered today!
In addition, conference speakers will be interacting with the audience through live polling questions during the sessions. Attendees also will receive up-to-the-minute updates about the conference and can access the full agenda, speaker information (including links to the presentations during the days of the event) and learn about the conference's key sponsors who assist in making the Benchmarking Conference the best of the year for the industry.
Featured speakers:
Garrison Wynn helps people make the jump from being great at what they do to developing the qualities it takes to be consistently chosen for the job. He gets them to understand why their products, services or leadership styles – or those of their competitors – are selected. As he says, "If the world agreed on what's best, everybody would choose the best and nothing else would be considered. Decision-making doesn't work that way." His presentations help people become more influential regardless of the circumstances.
Tom Easterday is the executive vice president at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (SIA) and serves as a member of the Board of Directors. SIA was the first automotive assembly plant in the US to be ISO 14001-certified. Through innovative programs, SIA then achieved zero landfill status in May 2004. In addition, SIA's entire 832-acre site has been designated a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. Easterday will discuss trends in business management and what he feels small- to mid-sized companies should be doing to enhance the profitability of their operations. "Reduce" is a key action word he will use to define opportunities in energy management, materials and consumables.
Get connected now! Download the Benchmarking Conference app and find information on all of the speakers scheduled this year at www.benchmarkingconference.com.
New Cost Reduction Programs Added
There are many aspects and partnerships that enable companies to be successful, and MAPP's leadership team recognizes that finding solid and reliable partners is not always easy. Therefore, MAPP has worked on behalf of the membership to develop partnerships that enhance opportunities for business development. MAPP is pleased to announce the addition of the following new cost reduction programs for our Members.
RJG is the leading provider of training and technology that allow injection molders to implement systematic or scientific molding techniques to improve quality, productivity and profitability. If you are an injection molder, RJG has tools to help you on your path to success. RJG has enhanced its current offering to Members to now include:
- One free seat in RJG's Injection Molding Essentials eLearning course OR 50 percent off one seat in a Systematic Molding class per company.
- 10 percent off any RJG training (travel and expenses not included)
- 50 percent off eDART System™ training at your facility with the purchase of your first eDART System (minimum of two days, travel and expenses not included)
SIGMA uses a worldwide network of industrial and scientific partners to the benefit of its customers. As a Corporate Partner of MAPP, SIGMA is pleased to offer a 50-percent discount off the SIGMASOFT training classes (a $2,500 value per person). SIGMASOFT provides facts and clarification of cause and effect. Those at SIGMA understand the challenges in detecting and understanding opportunities and ventures by using virtual simulation. SIGMA also is offering MAPP Members a discount off of engineering projects in order to experience the SIGMASOFT technology and realize its capabilities.
Stratasys manufactures 3D printers and materials that create prototypes and manufactured goods directly from 3D CAD files or other 3D content. The company's 3D printers are based on patented FDMŪ and PolyJetŪ technologies. Stratasys systems are used by manufacturers to create models and prototypes to aid in the new product design process. They are becoming widely used for production of finished goods in low-volume manufacturing. Stratasys is offering special discount pricing for MAPP Members.
Harbour Results, Inc. is the expert at helping small- to mid-sized plastics processors flex their business in order to achieve higher throughput, implement best practices and determine profitable business strategies. Harbour is offering one day of free consulting to review this challenge and provide input on how to improve in that specific area of the business to any new client of Harbour Results, Inc. Harbour also continues to offer its Continuous Improvement assessment at a discounted rate for MAPP Members, which is a savings of over $4,500. Plus, RJG has agreed to subsidize half of the cost of the assessment, a value of $3,000.
Yushin America, Inc. specializes in the area of robots, end-of-arm tooling and complete flexible manufacturing cells; its robots are the most reliable in the industry. Yushin provides its customers with innovative automation solutions that can maximize savings, minimize risks and offer support for the life of the investment. Yushin America will offer 50 percent off of Flex Training Classes for up to three additional seats with the purchase of one seat at regular price or an additional one-year warranty.
Conair is the leading producer of auxiliary equipment for plastics processing in the world. Conair and MAPP have teamed up to bring you a new customer program through MAPP. As a MAPP Member and new Conair customer, Members are eligible for the First-Time Buyer Discount Program, which means you save 10 percent on your first order. Conair also offers a five-percent discount to all MAPP Members one time in the calendar year on a single Conair part purchase. (This offer cannot be combined with other offers or discounts.)
Routsis Training offers the absolute fastest, most effective way to train one employee or your entire production workforce. By offering complete on-site set-up and implementation by plastics industry experts, Routsis Training provides everything you need to get going and succeed. The RightStart™ process is the critical factor to the development, improvement and maintenance of your employees' skills. Routsis Training is providing several benefits to MAPP Members, from free reference guides and a free 30-day trial for all of your employees to a 40-percent online discount.
With the new GHS (Global Harmonized Standards) replacing MSDS, it's imperative that Members know what needs to be completed and the time frame in which to comply with OSHA guidelines. Therefore, MAPP has established a cost reduction program with SiteHawk to improve chemical data management and meet the new HazCom Standard requirements. MAPP Members will receive a 20-percent discount off of all standard services.
For more information on these programs, as well as information on other MAPP Member cost-saving programs and how you can get them started in your facility, log in to the MAPP website at www.mappinc.com.
Resin Benchmarking Analysis Released
The leadership of MAPP understands the importance of benchmarking information. As part of this focus, MAPP has undertaken the largest collection of raw material data from the membership to help members better understand the raw materials marketplace.
Recently, MAPP completed this comprehensive resin benchmarking survey that will provide participants with an in-depth analysis on market trends, feedstocks and other drivers that will impact cost and short-term availability. In addition, MAPP provided raw data segmented by resin types so that members could better understand the price ranges, packaging options and vending providers associated with each resin consumed.
MAPP is very excited about the large response received from this survey collection and how the improved method of data collection increased participation. With this new system for input, the Board is looking to increase the frequency by which the MAPP organization collects data to report on the state of the raw material sector.
MAPP Members who participated in the survey will receive additional information with instructions on accessing the completed report.