Personal stories, predictions, leadership lessons: In Other Words, 2025
One of the best parts of the holidays is the chance to catch up with friends, both old and new. If you’re looking to get better acquainted with some plastics insiders, look no further than our monthly In Other Words interviews.
Find out how industry leaders are spending their time, and maybe pick up some leadership tips, in this lookback at 2025. Know someone we should interview in 2026? Share your suggestions at [email protected].
Molder Geoff Foster looks
to build the future
If you’re looking for a way to make a difference in the new year, or want to spread the word about opportunities in the industry, Geoff Foster’s story might provide some insights. The founder, CEO and president of Core Technology Molding Corp., he and his company are active in creating STEM programming to guide youngsters to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Chasing a dream comes at
a cost for Slant 3D president
Not everyone loves running a business, as Slant 3D President Gabe Bentz readily admitted to us. But he’s putting in the time and energy for a bigger purpose — to democratize manufacturing with 3D printing that’s cost-accessible to anyone with a vision they want to bring to market. “I certainly do not recommend this to anybody,” Bentz said. “It’s wildly painful. It’s a mental illness to start a company. I have a great benefit of enjoying what I do.”
Professor pairs with Arburg
to push sustainability
With support from Arburg, Andreas Fath, a chemistry professor at Furtwangen University in Germany, is another voice advocating for change within the industry. He’s made a name for himself highlighting the dangers of pollution — including contamination from plastics — by making epic swims in rivers in Europe and the U.S.
Lloyd touts Farrel Pomini’s
green innovations
Sustainability is more than a buzzword — for many companies in the industry, it’s a strong selling point and a true commitment. For Farrel Pomini, which has seen new markets open up for its CP continuous mixers as processors and recyclers have adopted the technologies, going green has been a key to success, as company President Paul Lloyd told us.
Wittmann’s Morneault sees growing role
for AI, recycling technologies
Nearly 20 years into his career at Wittmann USA, President Sonny Morneault said artificial intelligence (AI) is going to have a major influence on the plastics industry’s future. For a company that supplies a complete range of upstream and downstream equipment, recycling technologies also are important, he said.
Boy Machines’ Koorneef
eyes potential growth
The son of a former president of Kiefel in Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg), Marko Koorneef has seen his share of ups and downs in the plastics industry. After a down year in 2025, he’s looking forward to seeing whether changes in trade policy can open up new possibilities for the injection molding machine maker.
Jason Sears follows his
father’s example at Dri-Air
If you first became acquainted with the plastics industry through a family member, you’re not alone. As people like Jason Sears — the son of Charlie Sears, the founder of Dri-Air — know, this is very much a family business. “He wanted me to be respected for my abilities, not because of my last name,” said Jason Sears, the second-generation president and owner of the auxiliary equipment maker.
Jim Stuart reflects on
family legacy at PCS
Jim Stuart also is the son of a founder of a plastics industry business — mold components supplier PCS. Now retired himself, he said working with his father had its pros and cons. “When I was in the summer working for him, I just wasn't one of the employees; I had to be the shining star. It was beneficial, but going through it was different,” he said.
Arburg’s Baur urges other
leaders to stay curious
Finding success in business starts with being interested in whatever you do. That was the message from Tobias Baur, managing director of sales and after-sales, Arburg GmbH + Co. KG, and president of Euromap, who shared this piece of advice: “Be curious, really active, [have] courage to change things, keeping ahead, thinking of, ‘What can we improve? What can we do better?' ”
Beat goes on for
KraussMaffei’s Riegger
Work isn’t everything. Some people maintain an interesting schedule, both at work and away from it. Away from work, Artie Riegger was a rock ‘n’ roll drummer. At KraussMaffei, where he has served as a regional sales manager, colleagues sang his praises in 2025, as he celebrated his 40-year career at the processing equipment maker.
Thermoforming consultant
Waddell goes the distance
While he’s led an interesting career — including helping to grow the American College of the Building Arts and move it from its location in a haunted former jail to a bigger building — thermoforming consultant Jay Waddell also stays active outside work. He enjoys traveling, and has the North and South Poles in his sights.
Wheeler echoes leaders’
focus on relationships
No matter their hobbies or titles, most leaders interviewed for In Other Words repeat one theme: A job well done ultimately relies on relationships. That’s reflected in what we heard from Andrew Wheeler, president of Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corp., the American subsidiary of Windmöller & Hölscher. When asked what he’d like to leave as his legacy, Wheeler responded in a way that echoes so many of the leaders we interview: “That I was always a fair partner, a good friend, an excellent boss and collaborator, and someone who added to the already sterling reputation of our company.”
About the Author
Karen Hanna
Senior Staff Reporter
Senior Staff Reporter Karen Hanna covers injection molding, molds and tooling, processors, workforce and other topics, and writes features including In Other Words and Problem Solved for Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing, Plastics Recycling and The Journal of Blow Molding. She has more than 15 years of experience in daily and magazine journalism.
Bruce Geiselman
Senior Staff Reporter Bruce Geiselman covers extrusion, blow molding, additive manufacturing, automation and end markets including automotive and packaging. He also writes features, including In Other Words and Problem Solved, for Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing, Plastics Recycling and The Journal of Blow Molding. He has extensive experience in daily and magazine journalism.
Lynne Sherwin
Managing Editor
Managing editor Lynne Sherwin handles day-to-day operations and coordinates production of Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing’s print magazine, website and social media presence, as well as Plastics Recycling and The Journal of Blow Molding. She also writes features, including the annual machinery buying survey. She has more than 30 years of experience in daily and magazine journalism.