A publication of the European Plastics Distributors Association
Issue 8 | December 2005 | www.epda.com
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| MEETINGS UPDATE Nordic Division Meeting During the meeting, they laid down the goals and the advantages
of a Nordic subgroup, including the development of the plastics
market and the education of members, customers and the public to
gain a better understanding of plastics materials. It was an interesting
and successful first Nordic Meeting. The next meeting will take
place in March 2006. UK Division Meeting The UK Division scheduled its next meeting during the EPDA Annual Conference, 13 May 2006. Board Meeting The board discussed potential candidates for board positions. More distributors are needed to fill positions on the board and on committees. Please contact Sabine Reinhold at sreinhold@epda.com if you are interested in getting more involved. The board signed the official documentation for the German government in order to finalize the registration of EPDA as a legal entity. The paperwork will be submitted shortly and EPDA should have an official home in early 2006. Four new member companies have joined since the annual conference in May. The board discussed a new policy regarding distribution companies that are wholly-owned by plastics manufacturers. This policy would allow a distributor into the membership if 75 percent of its product comes from a source other than its parent company. And lastly, the board commended EPDA’s online newsletter. Currently 350 individuals receive this newsletter every month. This is helping us spread the word about EPDA. Member companies are urged to submit press releases to EPDA at epda@epda.com for inclusion in future issues. NEW MEMBERS Polytron Kunststofftechnik — Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany • www.polytron-gmbh.de • Contact: Fred Arnulf Busen |
| EPDA members are invited to submit news on their company and products for publication in EPDA’s E-Update newsletter. Submissions should be about 100 words and may include photographs. News may be submitted in any language, to be translated by EPDA staff. Please e-mail news (in a Microsoft Word document or as text in an e-mail) to epda@epda.com. Please note that submissions may be edited for length and clarity. GEVACRIL® — THE NEW CATALOGUE The 100-page catalogue is available in four languages: English, French, Italian and German and features Europe’s most extensive range of more than 20 products — more than 1,000 items produced and stocked. The catalogue details GEVACRIL’s manufacturing and material processing capabilities, as well as providing information regarding standards, approvals and quality certifications. High quality, customer satisfaction and innovation are GEVACRIL’s guiding issues in order to give you always the best of the acrylic and PC specialities. Dedicated to innovative solutions, incomparable customer service and uncompromised quality, GEVACRIL® ACRYLICS is your acrylic and PC professional. Download the new catalogue at www.gevacril.com/prodserv.htm. QUADRANT ACQUIRES POLY HI SOLIDUR Quadrant has signed an agreement with Menasha Corporation to purchase its Poly Hi Solidur, Inc. business, one of the world’s leading manufacturer of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) semi-finished products for machining and fabrication. The transaction was completed August 2005. This external growth step is the second-largest in Quadrant’s history and significantly extends the company’s product range and its lead in the market for engineering plastic products. Poly Hi Solidur, based in Fort Wayne, Ind., US, operates production facilities in the USA, Germany, France, the UK, Japan and South Africa, and has dedicated R&D, sales and business development resources among its workforce of over 1,000 employees worldwide. In 2004, the company posted total sales of US $169 million, approximately two-thirds of which were generated in the United States. For more information, visit www.quadrantplastics.com. PRESENTATION OF THE QUADRANT AWARD 2005 Quadrant, a global leader in the manufacture of high-performance thermoplastics and composites, presented the Quadrant Award for the first time 29 October 2005. This scientific award, with a prize of EUR 15.000, was won by Laurence Mathieu of France, who wrote her thesis at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland. An exceptional feature this year was the awarding of two second prizes, reflecting the high quality of the entries. The winners of these awards, with a prize of EUR 5.000 each, were Juan P. Hernández-Ortiz from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, and Jan K. W. Sandler from the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. The international invitation to submit entries for the award was addressed to graduates who had produced a thesis work in the subject field of “materials and processes related to engineering and high-performance plastics and composites” between 1 August 2004, and 31 July 2005. For more information on Quadrant and the award, visit www.quadrantplastics.com. AWARD FOR PLASTICS PLUS The standard provides a national framework for improving business performance and competitiveness, through a planned approach to setting and communicating business objectives and developing people to meet these objectives. On the presentation of the award Chairman Barry White commented, “We have always recognised that people are our organisation’s greatest asset and this award confirms this philosophy and is undoubtedly the reason for our continued success.” Visit Plastics Plus online at www.plasticsplus.co.uk. AGRU KUNSTSTOFFTECHNIK BOASTS 90-PERCENT EXPORTS AGRU Kunststofftechnik GmbH boasted a 90-percent export rate in 2005, which documents its international sales policy. AGRU is an Austrian company with worldwide activities in producing and distributing high-quality plastic products for piping systems and apparatus engineering, environmental technology, as well as constructional engineering. The family business is managed by its owners, Mag. Alois Gruber Jr. and Alois Gruber Sr., who attach great importance to quality in the fields of products, service and processing. AGRU products are primarily used for the following applications: gas and water supply, mining industry, chemical industry, semi-conductor industry, pharmaceutical industry, plant construction, constructional engineering, air pressure supply, environmental protection as well as erection of tunnels and ponds. For more information, visit www.agru.at. |
| Articles reporting on plastic
products are prepared from information furnished by IPS MEETS TIGHT PROJECT DEADLINES This fast-track project was for the design, manufacture and installation of an automated pickling line for the cold plate steel rolling plant. Working to a very tight schedule, the old plant was removed over a two-week period, and the new installation was completed and running within four more weeks. The systems were installed to handle aggressive chemicals at high temperatures, and used PVDF piping in diameters up to 280 mm, as well as polypropylene piping in diameters up to 355 mm. Skid mounted pump sets were manufactured off site and installed first. With difficult site conditions and limited access, much of the connecting pipe work was fabricated in spools and transported to the site for installation. The initial product availability together with regular, rapid deliveries from IPS were an essential part of the project success. Many special items were needed as the project progressed and these were manufactured and delivered on schedule to keep the project on track. For more information on International Plastic Systems, visit www.ips-plastics.com. STRUCTURAL MATERIALS WITH AESTHETICAL IDENTITY Combined with sheets of coloured acrylic of polycarbonate, the product can take on varying images, all with pleasing effects of light and high aesthetic quality. Therefore it is ideal for custom installations, sets, shops, flooring and furnishing complements. For further information on Bencore’s offerings, visit www.bencore.it. A PERFECT PRODUCT FOR PROTECTION Protecting valuable artifacts and displaying beautiful objects of art — while enabling visitors to fully see and appreciate the contents — is a challenge.
Perspex clear cast sheet is eminently suitable for general display and exhibition purposes. However if you are displaying items of rare or high value which require an extra level of protection from the damaging effects of the sun, Perspex VA/VE grades are ideal as they offer almost 100 percent protection from UV light. Over the years, internationally renowned exhibits such as the burial mask of the young King Tutankhamen and the remains of the royal Tudor ship the Mary Rose have been protected for future generations by Perspex VA/VE sheet. For further information, visit www.perspexdistribution.com. |
| NEWS from the Industry |
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TODAY’S
LEADER Throughout business today, companies have been downsizing and cutting
back on significant numbers of workers. Those who remain face twice
the workload while company expectations of profitability remain
the same. Now, more than ever, employees need effective leaders
to guide them through these uncertain, often overwhelming times.
“Everyone needs heroes who radiate positive thought,” says Dr. Anneli Driessen, Ph.D., CMS, MCC and CEO Coach, author of Ultimate Success: Seven Secrets to Spiritually-Based Leadership. “The leader crafts the vision for the team and decides on a direction. Strong commitment and self-discipline are required to develop the focus and clarity necessary for success.” The greatest asset of any company is the undeveloped potential of its people. First-line managers, then, must assume responsibility for the development of everyone under their supervision. In addition to everyday tasks, their job entails helping each to become a better professional and to perform well for the greater good of the company. Naturally, as their peoples’ performance improves, they, too, will reap rewards, promotion opportunities, and, most importantly, a sense of pride in knowing they helped others help themselves. Therefore, it is in their best interest, both personally and professionally, to develop this potential to the fullest. “If you are an ethical manager then you must take personal responsibility for your team,” Dr. Driessen says. “The buck should stop with you.” As the traditional model of watchdog management becomes outdated, managers now have the opportunity to become a coach to their team playing a significant role in the career guidance and development of the people they supervise. By seeking to instill in all their employees a sense of purpose, they can help each person improve their abilities and give their best to the team. Utilizing this coaching approach will help employees become more effective, pull together in tough times, grow as professionals and feel positive about the contributions they make. Some team members will be telecommuters who rarely set foot in the office. However, the more high-tech the world becomes, the more people need a manager with a personal touch. Even remote employees need their manager's expertise to guide them through the rough spots. Often, they may have no idea they have a problem or flaw until a manager identifies it. Therefore, it is imperative that a manager makes the effort to visit them at their location and observe how they perform, just as he or she would with team members in the corporate office. Then a manager can be assured that every member of his or her team has the support they need to succeed. Roy Chitwood is an author and consultant on sales and customer service. He is the former president and chairman of the Board of Sales & Marketing Executives International and is president of Max Sacks International, www.maxsacks.com. If you would like to subscribe to his free Tip of the Week please e-mail contact@maxsacks.com. |
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For a list of all events, please visit www.epda.com/industry.cfm MUOVI PLASTICS 2005 IN LAHTI, FINLAND REPLAST-2005: PLASTICS RECYCLING CONFERENCE
The conference will take place as part of the international specialised trade fair Interplastica 2005 in Moscow. The following topics are planned to be discussed: polymer materials recycling in Russia today, new recycling technologies, usage of modifying additives in recycling, modern plastics recycling equipment, spheres of recycled polymer materials application and the experiences of domestic and foreign manufacturers. Visit www.plastics.ru for more information. FLEXPO 2006 EPDA ANNUAL CONFERENCE |
The
first Nordic Division Meeting took place in the Hotel Tallukka in
Tallukantie, Finland. EPDA members, as well nonmembers, were invited
in order to get to know each other and the association with the
help of introduction material from EPDA and a presentation by a
member regarding the advantage of being and becoming member of EPDA.
During
the UK Division Meeting in Birmingham, England, UK, 10 November
2005, members discussed membership, the marketplace and manufacturer-distributor
relations. Much of the meeting focused on the economic climate,
including the consequences of vertical integration. 
GEVACRIL®
ACRYLICS, a leading manufacturer of high-quality semi-finished thermoplastic
products like cast and extruded acrylic and polycarbonate tubes,
rods, bars, balls, profiles and accessories, is proud to present
its brand new catalogue together with its upgraded product range
and the brand new FLUORACRYL® rods and bars. 
Plastics
Plus in Nottingham, UK, was awarded the prestigious Investors in
People Award. Investors in People is the national standard which
sets out a level of good practice for the training and development
of people to achieve business goals. 
International
Plastic Systems successfully completed the supply of large quantities
of plastic piping materials to Corus Steel in Port Talbot, South
Wales. 
Bencore
Srl’s new plastic material — the Birdwing panet —
features a macro-cellular structure that is used not just for construction,
furnishings, ships or any other application requiring lightness
and strength, but also for furniture and objects in which the material
has both a structural and a decorative function. Characterized by
a particular open structure of opposing conical cells (similar to
the bone in birds that gives them an excellent strength to lightness
ratio), the Birdwing panel by Bencore has another innovative feature:
transparency.
Perspex®
from Lucite® offers the optimum performance criteria for all
display and exhibition applications, and when combined with expert
design and fabrication techniques, such as those from leading acrylic
fabricators Display Developments, you can be guaranteed that the
end result will be stunning. Perspex Distribution Ltd. supplies
the full range of Perspex grades, and is the UK’s largest
supplier of Perspex acrylics sheet.  |
Copyright 2005 |
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