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What Keeps You Up At Night?

What Keeps You Up At Night?

By Brennan Lafferty

A one-on-one discussion with executives in the plastics industry with Plastics News Publisher Brennan Lafferty.
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Episode 7 - Tony Cavalco

What Keeps You Up At Night?May 05, 2020

00:00
14:48
Episode 26 - Tom Thompson

Episode 26 - Tom Thompson

You know things are going well when 20 percent and 30 percent growth is what your business is dealing with the last couple years. That’s the situation Tom Thompson finds himself in at Teel Plastics.

Jun 04, 202122:12
Episode 25 - Tom Flannery

Episode 25 - Tom Flannery

Tom Flannery, president of Formula Plastics, discusses how his company picked which customers to work with to foster the incredible growth this Mexico-based plastic molder saw in 2020 and continues to see this year. 

May 07, 202131:24
Episode 24 - Petra Cullmann

Episode 24 - Petra Cullmann

Petra Cullman, executive director, exhibitions, at Messe Dusseldorf, talks about her organization's first foray into South America, the status of trade shows globally and the triennial K2022 and what plastics industry visitors can expect to see in Germany next year.

Feb 28, 202121:33
Episode 23 - Keith Everson

Episode 23 - Keith Everson

Many qualities separate Sussex IM from its competitors in the plastics industry. CEO Keith Everson discusses its in-mold labeling business, the unexpected growth from 2020, its new clean room and more for this 500-employee operation in Wisconsin.

Jan 26, 202120:29
Episode 22 - Ana Silva

Episode 22 - Ana Silva

Entrepreneur Ana Silva launched Comitatvs two years ago in Boston, hoping to bring sustainable materials to smaller companies that struggle to access and afford such plastics.

Sep 16, 202016:01
Episode 21 - Michael Esser Jr.

Episode 21 - Michael Esser Jr.

Dielectric Manufacturing is part of the family-owned manufacturing fabric in the plastics industry with the third generation of leaders like Michael Esser Jr. taking on key roles as the company expands.

Sep 02, 202012:27
Episode 20 - Matt Seaholm

Episode 20 - Matt Seaholm

Matt Seaholm, vice president of government affairs at the Plastics Industry Association, discusses bag bans, single-use plastics and the 2021 legislative agenda for his organization.

Aug 26, 202022:07
Episode 19 - Karen DiLuzio & Bob Welton

Episode 19 - Karen DiLuzio & Bob Welton

Some manufacturing companies have wellness programs, but few boast the full-time employment of nurses like DiLuzio. She and Welton discuss the Plastek Group's safety measures during the COVID-19 outbreak, how employees are coping and the company's longstanding wellness program.

Aug 18, 202022:12
Episode 18 - Jim Benton

Episode 18 - Jim Benton

Polytech Plastic Molding has created a new faceshield that owner Jim Benton says aids in halting the spread of COVID-19 in more than one way.

Aug 05, 202021:22
Episode 17 - Doug Bonecutter

Episode 17 - Doug Bonecutter

The general manager of DeKalb Molded Plastics talks about his new product, his hopes for 2021 and how the the Indiana-based molder is planning for new customers.

Jul 19, 202015:55
Episode 16 - Karen Laird

Episode 16 - Karen Laird

Sustainable Plastics Editor Karen Laird talks about the COVID crisis in Europe, the Fakuma trade show and some of the big stories she's worked on in 2020.

Jul 07, 202018:57
Episode 15 - Christina Keller

Episode 15 - Christina Keller

Cascade Engineering President & CEO Christina Keller talks health (physical, financial and mental) for her team, success in the waste management sector and the unknown that is 2021.

Jul 01, 202028:41
Episode 14 - Karen Carter

Episode 14 - Karen Carter

As chief inclusion officer, Karen Carter is leading Dow's efforts on equality, diversity and justice issues set against the backdrop in the U.S. of deaths in the Black community that led to protests domestically and worldwide.

Jun 24, 202022:04
Episode 13 - Ben Riehl

Episode 13 - Ben Riehl

The head of GW Plastics talks about his experience helping the Vermont governor open up businesses in his home state and investments GW is making as it expands.

Jun 16, 202024:54
Episode 12 - Tammy Barras

Episode 12 - Tammy Barras

Tammy Barras, president of Westec Plastics in Livermore, Calif., discusses the capital investments her company is making now to keep up with medical-related business demand this year and possible reshoring projects in household goods in 2021.

Jun 10, 202018:08
Episode 11 - Kelly Goodsel

Episode 11 - Kelly Goodsel

Viking Plastics CEO and President Kelly Goodsel gives his global perspective on the plastics industry, especially the automotive industry. 

Jun 03, 202019:24
Episode 10 - Cathy Browne

Episode 10 - Cathy Browne

Grocery stores, eating at home and recycled plastics all line up for Cathy Browne, general manager at Crown Poly in Huntington Park, California.

May 27, 202023:52
Episode 9 - Stephanie Baldi

Episode 9 - Stephanie Baldi

More talented women in the workforce is one of the priorities of Stephanie Baldi, vice president of human resources, at Westfall Technik.

May 20, 202017:51
Episode 8 - John Hoskins

Episode 8 - John Hoskins

John Hoskins, chief commercial officer at Ernie Green Industries, discusses the growth of the medical industry and its positive impact on key suppliers like his company.

May 12, 202018:03
Episode 7 - Tony Cavalco

Episode 7 - Tony Cavalco

Nicolet Plastics CEO Tony Cavalco has never seen his sales staff as busy as it today, an amazing development during a time when most sales teams are grappling for ways to interact with customers.

May 05, 202014:48
Episode 6 - Chris & Debi Robson

Episode 6 - Chris & Debi Robson

The Robson Co. is using its injection molding machines to jumpstart a humanitarian effort in Alabama that has stretched from Michigan to throughout the Southeast.

Apr 28, 202014:10
Episode 5 - Jeff Ignatowski

Episode 5 - Jeff Ignatowski

Jeff Ignatowski, vice president of sales and marketing at Grand Traverse Plastics, discusses how this Michigan-based plastics company remains aggressive during an uncertain business climate.

Apr 22, 202009:49
Episode 4 - Geoff Foster

Episode 4 - Geoff Foster

Geoff Foster, president of Core Technology Molding, talks about the growth his North Carolina company is experiencing despite the global economic slowdown.

Apr 16, 202016:23
Episode 3 - Jen Lockman

Episode 3 - Jen Lockman

Human resources managers face new challenges in the face of a pandemic with many workers at home and yet some essential workers still reporting to the factory floor.

Apr 07, 202014:18
Episode 2 - Bing Carbone - Modern Plastics

Episode 2 - Bing Carbone - Modern Plastics

The president of a plastics company in Connecticut near New York City finds himself in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. His response: Shift his manufacturing process to help combat the virus.

Mar 31, 202008:51
Troy Nix

Troy Nix

An interview with Troy Nix, executive director of three associations: MAPP, the Manufacturers Association of Plastics Processors; AMBA, the American Mold Builders Association; and ARPM, the Association for Rubber Product Manufacturers.

Mar 24, 202022:19