James Alongi awarded SPE Thermoforming's Lifetime Award

The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Thermoforming Division has honored James Alongi, president of Maac Machinery Co. Inc., with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

Alongi received the award at SPE’s Thermoforming Awards Dinner at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Sept. 21.

“James Alongi is the man behind the scenes who handles the details and makes the ideas work,” said Steve Zamprelli, SPE Thermoforming Division Chair. “His commitment to service — in his leadership roles at Maac and in the SPE Thermoforming Division — has directly impacted the SPE Thermoforming Division and our industry as a whole. James’ quiet but determined leadership and willingness to help in any capacity makes him not only a role model, but an inspiration to us all.”

Alongi has been an active member of the division for nearly 25 years, serving on the Thermoforming Division Board of Directors. He is currently the Finance Committee Chair and has been a longtime member of the Machinery Technical Committee. He has also served as conference chair, technical program chair and session moderator, as well as assisting with the development of technical articles for SPE Thermoforming Quarterly magazine.

He got his introduction to the plastics industry in 1997 as president of Maac Machinery, Carol Stream, Ill., which has become the world’s largest thermoforming machinery manufacturer, and focuses exclusively on cut-sheet applications.