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Midwest Region Congressional Plant Tours
On July 9, Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA-2) toured MSI Mold Builders in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The company designs and builds steel and aluminum molds for injection, structural foam, rim, blow, gas assist and structural web processes. While in his first term in the House of Representatives, Loebsack has not supported several key votes for the plastics industry, so the tour was an excellent opportunity to educate the Congressman on plastics industry issues.
Dave Loebsack (left) and Roger Klouda (right)
On August 14, Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI-7) toured Glycon Corporation in Tecumseh, Michigan. Founded in 1976, Glycon is an innovator in the design and manufacturing of screws, barrels, non-return valves and other processing solutions for injection molding, extrusion and blowmolding. In his first term as a representative, Walberg has supported several key votes for the plastics industry. The son of a tool and die maker, Walberg stated in his visit with Glycon President Jeff Kuhman and staff that he "is not willing to give up manufacturing" in the U.S. In addition to globalization, the Congressman engaged in dialogue with Glycon executives on energy and workforce issues. Walberg currently serves on the Education and Labor and Agriculture Committees.
Plastivan Sponsorship
SPI’s acclaimed PlastiVan™ Program is a hands-on educational project designed to spark an interest in math and science and to excite young people about the many opportunities offered by the plastics industry. Based out of Leominster, Massachusetts, the birthplace of plastics and home to the National Plastics Center, the program is delivered via a fleet of colorful vans stocked with the supplies that will be used to introduce the chemistry, history, processing, environmental issues and applications of plastics to young people in grades K-12 (and beyond). Our trained instructors travel to schools and companies throughout the United States and Canada. Here in the Midwest Region we have a dedicated Plastivan instructor, Linda Ball, who scheduled 77 days of visits and reached over 10,000 students last school term. Our goal for the coming school year is to expand our reach by doubling this number.
Those who have sponsored the program and have seen it in action share nothing but rave reviews. Sponsors and teachers alike have seen first hand the excitement the program generates in the eyes and minds of its students. We invite you to explore this opportunity to help educate our future workforce and perpetuate manufacturing in the United States. Please be advised that SPI member companies may be eligible for shared funding to help offset the cost of the program. More information can be obtained at www.plasticsmuseum.org or by contacting Betty Coleman, Outreach Director, at (781) 337-7127.
myPlasticsindustry.com
SPI's online marketplace has already made Google's Top 10 for select plastics search firms. Plastics professional interested in products, suppliers, news, plastics careers and plastics networking are coming to the site, which features thousands of plastics industry supplier and product directory listings, deep plastics industry knowledge content and powerful personalization solutions. For more information, visit the myplasticsindustry.com booth (#2463) at PLASTEC Midwest or contact MPI Customer Service at (703) 852-3101. |
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