In Person
Wow, I hear it virtually every day from someone, how nice it is to do business, and see a wider circle of friends and family, in person. We’re not over the finish line yet but I’m optimistic that we will get there.

I’m looking forward to several large gatherings this year: the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas July 20-23; the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin July 26-August 1 (if you love aviation, this is the place to be); and the SPE Thermoforming Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan September 20-22. The trade shows will be great places to reconnect with associates throughout our industry and see the latest in machinery and tooling for fabricating and forming plastics, and Oshkosh is all fun! P.S. that’s my son Kevin and I, in Oshkosh on a Cub Scout trip, before his first small plane flight June 20, 2004. Today he flies a Citation Excel out of Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. I hope to see you at one of these exciting events. If you are considering buying a new router or panel saw, or are looking for cutting tools that will provide a clean edge off your machine reducing secondary processing, then you’ll love our AWFS Spotlight. We highlight some of the companies that offer products ideally suited for the plastics industry. The technology that is available to you today will decrease production costs and improve your bottom line.

Next, our Polyolefin Spotlight features two of the largest volume thermoplastics fabricated today. Polyolefins are available in a wide range of grades, formulations and shapes. They are tough, chemical resistant and offer good electrical prop¬erties with a low coefficient of friction and moisture absorption. They are also relatively lightweight and easy to fabricate.

This issue also includes our 24th Annual Buyer’s Guide, a collective resource of our advertisers’ products and services this past year. It is a one-stop shop for nearly every product your company will need. Search the online version of the 2021 Buyer’s Guide. When you find what you’re looking for, don’t forget to tell them you got their name from PD&F Magazine.

Finally, Jack touches on a topic that could impact any business, “Workplace Violence.” In light of recent months, assuming that this will not happen in your workplace is sadly naive. Managers, supervisors, and employees can be trained to identify and report the warning signs that indicate a potential for violence. Training can also be used to communicate to employees the consequences of making threats or acting violently. There was so much information in Jack’s article that we have published an edited version in this issue.

We hope you have something to look forward to this year as the world gets closer to normal whether its work or play. We also look forward to seeing you at a trade show this summer or in Oshkosh. Click on the following links if you’re looking for additional resources, need to contact our advertisers or manage your subscription.

Enjoy the issue and stay safe,

Coming September/October 2021

• High Performance Plastics
• Thermoforming