EPDA and Other Events

EPDA Annual Conference
2011 Details to be Announced
Information on the 2010 conference is here.

The European Plastics Distributors Association hosted 118 delegates and guests in Brugge, Belgium, 27-30 May 2010, for its annual conference.

During the Annual General Meeting, EPDA members voted on new leadership for the association. Steffen Oellers, Quadrant EPP – AG, was elected as the new president of EPDA. David Ladyman, of Amari Plastics Plc, was elected as the association’s vice president. The newly-approved bylaws provide for each of the association’s committee chairs to serve as members of the Board. The new positions added to the EPDA Board demonstrate a renewed interest in volunteer engagement for the association and will also add tremendous value for the EPDA members.

The delegates were presented with the EPDA’s Draft Strategic Plan during the AGM. Steffen Oellers and members of the EPDA Board shared a presentation of the plan and discussed the association’s initiatives with the members. Industry issues, such as the future availability of energy and raw material resources; the competition with other alternative materials; the challenge to distribution in the supply chain; and various disruptive industry trends were some of the issues highlighted that the association intends to address. Members were asked for their input into the plan and will continue to be given the chance to provide feedback as the Board explores the membership structure, business model and educational initiatives.

POLYTRON Kunststofftechnik GmbH & Co. KG won the inaugural EPDA Applications Award. (Download a press release here.) POLYTRON, a manufacturer of high precision parts made out of high performance plastics, was granted the award for its unique solution and for the exemplary co-development experience within the value chain between the original equipment manufacturer, POLYTRON as the parts designer and manufacturer, and Quadrant as the material supplier. The awarded application is a high speed placement arm to be used in a fast packaging machine. Conventional materials, such as stainless steel, are too heavy and aluminum is not stiff enough, to withstand the kinematical requirements of the machine. The solution was a placement arm designed and machined to very tight tolerances and made of a carbon fiber-filled NYLATRON® compound developed jointly with Quadrant.

During the Gala Dinner, Frans Blok, former EPDA Ambassador, was awarded the 2010 Pacesetter Award for his work and dedication to the association. Frans previously served on the EPDA Board and chaired the EPDA PVF Committee. As EPDA ambassador, Frans served as a member liaison and worked on membership renewals, recruitment and sponsorship development. He was the former owner of IBG – Praher bv, and has been instrumental in reinvigorating the PVF community within EPDA. Frans and his wife, Joke, were both recognized for their long-time dedication to the association and industry.

EPDA members are invited to view photos in the members only section of the EPDA web site at www.epda.com. The 2011 EPDA Annual Conference will be held next spring. Watch www.epda.com for details.

IAPD Annual Convention
The IAPD Annual Convention features the latest information on trends and events in the plastics distribution industry. Manufacturers of plastics materials display their products at the IAPD Plastics Exhibition, and seminars and workshops educate and inspire. Networking opportunities are provided for meeting people from around the world who work in the industry. For more information, visit IAPD's web site at www.iapd.org.

54th IAPD Annual Convention
21 to 25 September 2010
Indianapolis, IN , USA