Management

Leon Farahnik is not one to rest on his accomplishments. Just last month he sold PWP Industries—one of the largest thermoformers in the U.S. and also a company he founded and ran—to Pactiv for about $400 million. Over the years he has also run almost every type of processing facility except for rotomolding and, he says honestly, done well by them. For many, now'd be the time to work on that golf handicap.  

Tired of focusing on survival and cost containment in your plastics business? Want to play offense? Plante & Moran, a business consultancy well known to many in the plastics sector, is offering a complimentary webinar called "Strategic plan differentiation: A necessity for growth and value maximization in plastics." It took us about 57 seconds to sign up.



What a loaded question that is, sure to get a rise out of manufacturers around the world. The answer seems to be a resounding "Yes" unless you work for the Chinese government, which in all fairness is doing a bang-up job of protecting its domestic industries' growth export opportunities, or you work for the U.S. Treasury Department.

Last year was tough on the building and construction market, but hope shines eternal, as was evidenced at this year's International Builders Show in Las Vegas, a fitting place for these who continue to bet on a return of the housing market.

When a heat exchanger begins to fail or becomes problematic, it may be indicative of various problems ranging from inappropriate mechanical design to unforeseen chemical reactions. But, is it better to replace or to repair a heat exchanger?—By American Power Services (Erlanger, KY)

PlasticsToday's Clare Goldsberry has written books for molders and moldmakers that include business and marketing strategies. Based on her long experience, she's come up with five key points to running a successful mold manufacturing operation.

A new report from the Apollo Alliance and Good Jobs First says the United States must develop a domestic manufacturing capability to meet the growing demand for clean energy components and systems, or lose the race to lead that sector of the global economy, and the jobs that go with it.

Swiss extruder manufacturer Maillefer has chosen a new CEO, promoting Peter Roos to the position. His predeccesor, Pentti Hätälä, recently turned 65 but will continue as the chairman of the board of the Maillefer Group. 

In 1969, a 32-year-old Ken Groff saw an opportunity to launch a business in a rejected part program. Forty years later, the original Franzus Clothes Steamer is no longer around, but the company Groff founded, Venture Plastics, definitely is.