100 Years Old
Life is good. As I write this I am sitting at a picnic table at Camp Blackhawk, GO!, on the Owasippe Scout Reservation. This Boy Scout camp, near Whitehall, Michigan, turned 100 years old this week and is still going strong. As I sit here, I just have to smile. One short week ago, I was at the AWFS®Fair in Las Vegas viewing machinery and tooling for our industry. The show was busy and most of the manufacturers and suppliers that I spoke with painted a positive outlook for the remainder of this year and the year to come. The outlook for our industry is getting better, fueled in part, by innovative new materials that open up markets, and machinery and tooling that increase efficiencies in the fabrication process.

At the show, I ran into an associate, who it turns out, worked at this camp in food prep after college over twenty years ago. Then, earlier today I was talking to a client, who it turns out, was the water front director here in 1950 and 1951. So the thing that makes me smile is how simple this place is, the legacy it has and how strong the scouting movement remains. What impresses me most about this camp is the character of these kids, especially the counselors and staff. It is fascinating to work with such a wide range of young men as they learn and grow, developing skills that will serve them well in their adult life.

This issue features our Fourteenth Annual BuyerŐs Guide, which offers you a collective resource of our advertisersŐ products and services this past year. It is divided into eleven categories with an alphabetical listing and description of manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and services for all facets of the plastic shapes industry. Keep this issue as a reference and tell them you saw it in PD&F. You can also visit our website for a keyword searchable version of the BuyerŐs Guide and our extensive archive of articles, information and news.

Finally in Safety Solutions, Jack Podojil has invited a guest author to address Flame Resistant Fabrics. Derek Sang has been involved with the Flame Resistant Clothing market for over 15 years. TodayŐs industrial market has seen an increase in garments labeled FR - Flame Resistant, Fire Retardant, Flame Retardant etc. No matter how low the probability of an employee being exposed to an accidental thermal event, the type of fabric that clothing is made from is extremely important.

This issue contains many resources that will provide your company with opportunities too. To find even more tools and resources search our twelve-year article archive and keyword searchable BuyerŐs Guide. You can also use eReader Service to contact our advertisers or manage your subscription.

Enjoy the issue,

September/October 2011

• High Performance Plastics
• Finishing & Assembly