Alphabet Soup - IWF, IMTS, SPE
We have been to an alphabet soup of trade shows since the last issue and have found several products that plastics fabricators can use to increase productivity and profitability in their shops. And while traveling to Atlanta, Chicago and Nashville, one question kept bothering me ... why don't we (the plastic shapes industry) have a trade show of our own - one that attracts manufacturers of cutting and forming equipment, tooling, bending equipment and welding tools and supplies? A place where fabricators of plastics sheets, rods and tubes can see and learn about the latest in cutting, polishing, bending, bonding, forming and assembling plastic parts and enclosures?

These shows are very successful in their own right and the associations and societies that host them, and magazines who sponsor them, do an outstanding job of attracting knowledgeable speakers, leading manufacturers and tens of thousands of individuals active in the markets they serve.

We would like to bring you a trade show that addresses your specific needs. But in order to create such a show, we need your feedback. We have discussed the prospect an industry show with leading suppliers of plastics shapes, fabrication machinery and tooling, assembly equipment and supplies, accessories, welding equipment and services targeted to plastic shapes fabricators. Virtually everyone said they would support such a show. Nowhere is there a show dedicated to the fabrication of plastic shapes. In order to help bring this opportunity to reality, we need your feedback. Take a minute to fill out our brief "Trade Show Survey" and submit it by November 1, 2002. Additional feedback can be E-mailed to tradeshow@plasticsmag.com.

This issue also features several of the products we found at the trade shows we visited over the past two months. We will conclude our trade show recap in November/December with cutting tools and thermoforming machinery.

Also inside this issue are features on CYRO Industries "TechKnowlogy Center." For the past year, their website has been providing fabricators with information on everything from building aquariums to the coefficient of thermal expansion for acrylic sheet.

In Plastic Welding, Andy Bramer addresses how to calculate the proper wall thickness for building a tank. And Safety Solutions explores Indoor Air Quality.

Finally, in Plastic Perspectives, Mel Ettenson discusses "How to collect from anyone, What is lost when a customer leaves, Is sales training a waste of money and How to plan for growing sales when the recession ends." All are very relevant in today's business climate.

I welcome your feedback. Whether it is regarding an industry trade show or future articles and information you would like us to consider for publication, please contact me at 708-447-0001 or via E-mail at dwhelan@plasticsmag.com. Your continued input helps us provide the most targeted magazine for our industry - and potentially a trade show targeted to its unique products and processes. Enjoy the issue.

David Whelan
Publisher