To stay on top of the latest knowledge and trends in cast polyurethane, the PMA is rolling out our first member survey. In the next few weeks, all PMA members will be getting an email from us with a link to the survey online.
Please respond to the survey as soon as you can, answering all questions to the best of your knowledge. It should only take a few minutes.
Your feedback will help create benchmarks, allowing you to better understand the cast polyurethane market and where your company stands among other members. We’ll also use what we learn to help us promote the strength and vitality of the cast polyurethane industry in the coming year.
If you have any questions regarding the survey, please feel free to comment on this post or send us an email to the address provided below.
Want to see your story in this blog? Send an email to rmccormick@insidesh.com
Check Your Inbox for the PMA Membership Survey
Innovative DirectSkinning Process Meets the BMW Test
Technology Enables Plastic Part with a PUR Coating, All in One Mold
Exciting new advantages of PUR have the spotlight in Modern Plastics’ article “Molded parts get PUR coating in a single mold.”
DirectSkinning is a new technology involving multicomponent injection molding into a single mold—with one of the materials being a PUR coating that protects its thermoplastics substrate. First appearing at the K show in 2004, the technology had to develop some thick skin to meet commercial requirements for cost and efficiency.
In production at fischer automotive systems GmbH, a German processor of plastics, the DirectSkinning decorative panel seals off a kinematic drawer on the dashboard, directly above the central console. The panel is produced in five colors and has about a 1.4-mm-thick PUR covering based on plastics supplier Bayer MaterialScience’s Bayflex LS (Light Stable) material. The thickness of the PUR coating can be adjusted to a manufacturer’s need.
PUR surfaces provide additional protection and aesthetic appeal to parts. The stability of the product’s polyurethane surface has been tested through heat aging, hot-light aging, climatic change and solar stimulation showing no surface defects, discoloring or other issues over the service life of the product.
If you have a cast polyurethane success story that needs to be told, let us know! We’d love to hear from you. We are always looking for PMA member stories to share.
Have an idea? Shoot us an email at rmccormick@insideSH.com
PMA Grows Membership by 13 Percent
In an off-year for most manufacturers and suppliers, the value of joining an association becomes clear. Posting a 13 percent gain in membership, the PMA leads the way in promoting cast polyurethane as a critical product component.
Now more than ever, processors and suppliers are turning to the PMA for resources and knowledge regarding:
- The latest technology (see our technical papers and seminars)
- Regulatory practices
- Material science.
Plus, we continue to work vigilantly with members to spread the word on the strength and versatility of cast polyurethane as a material, exposing its advantages to new businesses and diverse markets.
Few companies would be able to dedicate so many resources to the advancement and development of cast polyurethane. As the exclusive organization dedicated to this material, we have a lot to provide our members, helping them win in what continues to be a challenging market.
As we further our mission of advancing cast polyurethane, we’d like to thank our current membership base as well as announce our latest partners. Please welcome the following new members:
- AdvanSource BioMaterials Corp
- American Polymer Products, Inc.
- BASF Corporation
- Bihler Flex
- Hewlett Packard
- Michelin North America
- Novatech
- Pittsburgh Plastics Mfgs, Inc.
- Polycoat Products
- Puma Polymers
- Uni-Eastern Sportswear Mfg, Ltd.
If you know someone interested in joining or if you have a story to share for our blog, please email Rachel Jennings at rjennings@insideSH.com
Positive News for Polyurethane Manufacturers
You don’t have to ask anyone – how was 2009? It was a tough year all around. And even earlier this year, economic reports were confusing.
But finally, we’re seeing a steadier uptick, including in the polyurethane market. Below are several industry highlights:
U.S. Manufacturing Executives
In a recent survey conducted by KMPG International, U.S. executives were optimistic about their business prospects over the next 12 months. 71% believed that the recovery will continue into the next year and business activity, revenues and profits will be higher.
Conveyor Belt
Recovering from a 22.7% decline in shipments in 2009, the conveyor belt industry has started 2010 with confidence. Booked orders increased 15% from January to February. Executive member annual meeting attendees of the Conveyor Equipment Manufacturing Association cautiously predict a 2% increase in 2010 shipments.
Automotive
Sharp sales increases across the automotive sector show a recovering industry. Industry giants, General Motors, Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai all experienced sales gains in March. Ford showed the most impressive growth with the best monthly sales increase (43%) in over 25 years. Positive gains among top automotive manufacturers will continue to trickle down to parts and component manufacturers.
For those doing business in these industries, it’s certainly a good time to boost your sales efforts and reconnect with customers.
Got an idea? A story to share? Let us know by emailing Rachel Jennings at rjennings@insideSH.com.
Resources and Research Help Product Innovations
Plastics changed the material game. In what once was a predominately metal and ceramic product driven world, plastic, for nearly 60 years, has grown in popularity at an unparalleled rate in comparison to most materials. Extensive research and a desire to continuously improve has pushed plastics and more specifically cast polyurethane to where it stands today as one of the most utilized materials in the world.
Rising out from its plastic family, the future direction of cast polyurethane is limitless, but constant research is inevitably vital to its growth as the material pushes its traditional barriers to replacing stainless steel and someday into high heat applications like automotive engines.
As urethane processors, the heavy weight of innovation comes to bear on you. But there are resources that can help take the load off from material analysis labs to research institutes and higher education.
These resources can help pinpoint the right material to prevent product failure or even tell you, more importantly, why your last product failed. For most processors, product failure is most commonly associated with human error in material selection/substitution, design, processing and in the mis-use of the product.
With hundreds of material combinations and grade modifications, it’s nearly impossible for a designer to be up on the latest materials. Early collaboration with experts ensure consistent quality, product reliability and in some cases cost savings from shorter production or less expensive materials. Plus designing to stringent quality restrictions and standards has become a critical reality in processing with an increase in product liability claims, environmental concerns and quality and approved supplier certification. There just isn’t room for a “break”.
It’s a thin line between perfect material selection and optimum performance and product failure. For plastic processors, it’s absolutely essential that they understand a materials’ fundamental nature, limitations and know there are experts who can help. Perhaps you don’t have the capital to internally house an expert or your expert doesn’t have time due to other obligations, but that’s no reason to take a risk in a product or worse not to innovate. An investment in research is well spent – look how it’s turned out for the industry already.
If you have any suggestions to additional benefits that the PMA does not currently offer and would like to see it added to your membership, please leave a comment or send your idea to rjennings@insideSH.com.
Don't Miss the 2010 Annual Meeting and Showcase
The PMA Annual Meeting is approaching fast – May 8th – 11th at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. It’s a time to learn, network with new and old members and have little old-fashioned fun.
Have you signed up? Register now!
This year’s meeting is definitely worth the investment. We’re providing more help than ever to make sure your company is ready for the economic turnaround.
Below are a few highlights to look forward to:
Process Technique Seminars and Technical Papers. All day Saturday, we’ll conduct detailed sessions on complex topics ranging from Adhesives for Bonding Polyurethane to Failed Parts. You’ll gain valuable knowledge that will help solve pesky manufacturing challenges and bring greater efficiency to your operations. In addition to our seminars, we’ll select the best technical papers from among our members to highlight new findings and trends.
Energy and Cost Saving Panel. As energy costs continue to swallow profits, we’ve assembled a panel of experts to speak on what you can do to reduce costs in your facility while maintaining operational excellence.
Forward-Thinking Speakers. The future of polyurethane manufacturing is largely undefined, but careful research can help you shape your operations for success in the coming years. Jeff Dietrich, Senior Analyst, Institute for Trend Research, will discuss how to identify trends to maintain a competitive advantage in a tough market.
Growth through Green. Environmental sustainability is another trend we think is here to stay. Byrd Baggett, Certified Speaking Professional, is an expert in “greening” businesses across the manufacturing sector. He knows the tricks to being Earth-friendly while increasing your bottom line, even in a down economy.
This is only the beginning of the lasting value this year’s meeting will provide. And here at the PMA, we’ve worked hard to drive down meeting costs while delivering excellent meeting content.
We hope to see you in Vegas. For some classic Roman fun at Caesars Palace, don’t forget your gladiator getup for the Welcome Reception!
PMA Membership Has Its Privileges
Are you taking advantage of all the benefits of PMA membership?
The value of belonging to an association like ours can be forgotten in the midst of handling business operations and personal obligations. So here’s a reminder that PMA is here to help you and your company stay ahead of the curve and operate to the best of your ability.
A sampling of the most valuable PMA tools:
- Networking: The relationships you build at PMA create new opportunities for you professionally and for your business. Who knows? You might find a unique partnering opportunity where you both can provide new advantages to customers.
- Problem solving: Use PMA as a forum for questions. Have a molding issue? Bring it up to a fellow molder. Our collaborative knowledge as a group is much stronger than our individual knowledge.
- Marketing: PMA works with a strategic partner to promote the urethane industry in the media. Case studies or story ideas that highlight the advantages of using polyurethane versus other materials are always welcomed from members. Have any ideas? Shoot us an email.
- Industry education: PMA keeps you at the tip of emerging trends through Processing Technique Seminars. Each training seminar provides in-depth, hands-on education courses on everything from the basics to advanced techniques in the cast urethane industry.
- Compliance: As we discussed in a previous blog, PMA can help you with regulatory compliance at your facility with our Regulatory Compliance Self-Certification Program. In the process, we help keep your employees safe and operations running smoothly, resulting in lower costs and risks for fines and liability.
- Safety and compliance solutions: PMA has partnered with J.J. Keller to provide members with a resource for a broad spectrum of regulatory compliance products from training programs, guides, and manuals to recordkeeping materials and forms. PMA members receive a 10% discount on all online purchases.
- Legal Counsel & Industrial Hygienist Consulting Service: PMA contracts with Don Gallo, shareholder in the Environmental Department of Reinhart Boerner Van Dueren, SC. Don is able to help with a variety to environmental, issues from cost recovery and contribution to insurance recovery and permitting. We also work with Dr. Ted Hogan, Industrial Hygienist, who has developed a Comprehensive Safety and Health Model Program for PMA members. Dr. Hogan is able to privately address questions between meetings for up to two hours per year for no fee.
This list by no means is comprehensive. We offer so much more, so don’t forget: we’re here to help.
If you have any suggestions to additional benefits that the PMA does not currently offer and would like to see it added to your membership, please leave a comment or send your idea to rjennings@insideSH.com