This space normally belongs to Robert Grace, editor of The Journal of Blow Molding (JBM), but I am making a guest appearance to explain big changes in your technical journal.
Beginning with this issue, the Journal will be published as a dedicated section inside certain issues of Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing (PMM). The Blow Molding Division board of directors approved this publishing change, and one member I spoke to recently described it as a “fantastic” opportunity for blow molding as well as the division to gain greater visibility within the industry.
PMM started publishing the Journal in 2019. For two years prior to 2019, members of the division did the job. That early version was distributed to about 500 division members.
Once PMM took over all editorial and business responsibilities, it mailed the Journal to those 500 division members, plus about 4,500 PMM subscribers who said they were in the blow molding industry.
Beginning this year, there will be three issues of the Journal instead of the two that were previously being published. Additional issues in 2025 will come in July and September.
Total print and digital circulation will now include more than 31,000 subscribers.
A digital-only edition of the magazine section will be available on the division website.
The division e-newsletter has also been revived as part of these changes, and will start soon.
As with any publication, we depend on advertising to pay the bills. Advertising sales are the responsibility of Bill Rodman. His contact information is on Page x.
See Page x to subscribe to PMM and JBM.
We depend on the blow molding industry to write thoughtful technical articles for these pages. You can contact us at [email protected] if you have a suggestion for an article or feedback on the new format. We would love to hear from you.
Russ LaBelle sells Wilmington
There was a major change early this year in the blow molding equipment market when Russ LaBelle announced he had sold Wilmington Machinery Inc., the low-pressure injection molding and rotary blow molding machine manufacturer he founded 53 years ago.
The new owner was identified only as a local investor. Terms of the sale were not announced.
Wilmington Machinery is located in Wilmington, N.C., and has about 25 employees. All employees were retained by the new owner.
“This acquisition represents a tremendous opportunity to build on Wilmington Machinery’s legacy of excellence while accelerating innovation,” LaBelle said in a press release. “The company’s reputation for quality and customer commitment remains a top priority, and under new leadership, Wilmington Machinery LLC is well-positioned for long-term success.” The new owner changed the company’s name to Wilmington Machinery LLC.
Wilmington started building blow molding machines in the early 1980s.
Ron Shinn, PMM editor
© 2025, Society of Plastics Engineers Blow Molding Division
Ron Shinn | Editor
Editor Ron Shinn is a co-founder of Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing and has been covering the plastics industry for more than 35 years. He leads the editorial team, directs coverage and sets the editorial calendar. He also writes features, including the Talking Points column and On the Factory Floor, and covers recycling and sustainability for PMM and Plastics Recycling.
