What you were reading in August: Midyear survey, smart factory technology for plastics
The end of summer can be a slow time in the plastics media. As a U.S.-based journalist, I admit I get jealous at all the bouncebacks I get from European machinery makers, saying they are on vacation for weeks or even the entire month of August. But here at PMM, we kept the information flowing, and you kept reading.
In case you were one of those lucky vacationers, or just happened to miss a story, here are our top articles from August.
Midyear machinery-buying survey shows caution
I have been running point on PMM’s annual Machinery Investment Survey since it kicked off in the fall of 2019. Even that first year showed how events can shift the best-laid plans onto a completely different track: The survey results were published in January 2020, and two months later, all the sunny optimism had been replaced by the fear and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since then, disruption has been coming at the plastics industry on multiple fronts. Companies bought a lot of machines to meet pandemic demand, but even now are struggling to fill that capacity. The industry is suffering from a shortage of skilled labor as experienced operators retire. Geopolitical events, including wars in Ukraine and Iran, and trade battles are snarling supply chains.
For the first time, PMM decided to check in at midyear to see how these forces are affecting equipment investment. Not surprisingly, poll respondents and experts say the buying environment remains marked by caution.
See what else we found, and watch our website and your email inbox in October for your invitation to participate in our eighth annual Machinery Investment Survey.
Read the full report: Equipment buying remains cautious as plastics processors balance growth with uncertainty
What the USMCA review process means for you
Speaking of trade wars... Editor Emeritus Ron Shinn has been covering the plastics industry for more than 37 years, so it’s not surprising that he warned about the economic impact of potential changes in the USMCA in his August column. That was almost three weeks before the U.S.-Canada relationship devolved into back-and-forth tariff one-upmanship (and renaming of bodies of water).
His assessment of the impact of the dispute remains valid: The plastics industry, especially the automotive market that relies heavily on cross-border traffic, is likely to suffer.
Read Talking Points: How USMCA uncertainty could affect plastics manufacturing investment
Has smart factory technology reached a tipping point?
Plastics manufacturers can be notoriously reluctant to adopt new technologies, but they may not be able to afford to ignore AI and smart factory offerings as the potential advantages meet the skilled labor shortage.
Senior reporter Bruce Geiselman took a deep dive into the subject this month, talking with OEMs about the features they’re building into their machines, and to consultants who see increasing affordability, ease of use, better connectivity and bottom-line benefits driving adoption. We’ll have more on the topic in September.
DELMIAWorks: Labor shortages, better connectivity drive smart factory adoption in plastics
Deloitte: AI, lower costs and better data access accelerate smart manufacturing adoption
Wittmann connects injection molding, automation, auxiliaries and AI
Haitian builds AI controls into fifth-generation IMMs
KraussMaffei expands digital manufacturing tools
Arburg executive sees a larger role for AI in injection molding
Uniloy highlights AI, machine vision and predictive maintenance for blow molding
Agri-Industrial Plastics is built to last
Starting with four employees, two clients and one used blow molding machine in 1969, Agri-Industrial Plastics has built its reputation by combining strong customer relationships with strategic investments in multilayer blow molding, automation and data-driven manufacturing. A move into multilayer fuel tanks for non-automotive applications has been a big business win.
AIP also prides itself on its environmental responsibility efforts, community involvement and a corporate culture that makes employees want to stay.
I really enjoyed my conversation with Lori Schaefer-Weaton and Geoff Ward about the SPE Blow Molding Division’s Recognition of Excellence, the family-owned company’s history, and the fact that founder Dick Smith still comes into the office daily at age 89 to work on engineering challenges. Reminded me of my engineer dad.
Read the story: Agri-Industrial Plastics wins Recognition of Excellence
In the news
Billion, the French maker of injection molding machines that dates back to 1949, announced that it will stop production of new equipment and instead refer its customers to Engel. It will now focus exclusively on service for its existing IMMs.
Ren Xinting was named managing director of KraussMaffei Extrusion, replacing Ralf Benack.
Steve Bellocchio is the new president of Zahoransky USA.
Crest Group acquired ultrasonic welder manufacturer Dukane.
Citex announced new leaders for IDoo USA and Inoex.
New sales personnel and distributors were named at Absolute Group, Rapid Granulator USA, BinMaster, Conair and Reifenhäuser North America.
About the Author
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.