Come to the turnaround rally

The road to recovery leads through Chicago.

If you read this column even occasionally, you will easily guess the only possible topic I could write about this month: That’s right, it’s NPE2009—the big show in Chicago. You may recall that I love big trade shows because everyone I want to see is there. But this one, the edition of NPE that runs through the week of June 22-26 in the Windy City, is in a class by itself. And that’s good, because we need it to be.

The molding and moldmaking sectors of the North American plastics manufacturing business, an inextricable part of the global plastics supply chain that is, along with everything else, under the spell of the deepest worldwide economic slump in about 70 years, needs a serious shot in the arm. We need to rally and start forward again. And as always, it’s a do-it-yourself job.

The timing of NPE2009 could not be better. True, the economic waters are still muddy overall, a frustrating daily mix of good and bad news. But increasingly we hear that we seem to be bottoming out, that things are not getting worse, or at least not so much as they were. Sounds like the time is right for going forward.

NPE2009 is packing into one week all we need to get our game going again.

That’s not an exaggeration. We’ve heard some negative talk about the show, understandable given the weak economy. But the facts say that talk was and is wrong. This NPE is brimming over with new technology and learning opportunities, and as always, it’s the absolute best place for making and renewing contacts and alliances.

SPI, the Plastics Industry Assn. that organizes NPE, has reached out and brought in seven other events to share the McCormick Place expo center for the week, all yours for a single admission. Plus, as I said here last month, any of your suppliers who are exhibiting have a supply of VIP tickets that get you in for free.

Am I promoting your going to the show? You bet I am. (And no, I’m not being paid to do it—darn it!) I am deeply serious about our need to rally, including me. I’m equally serious about how much there is for you at NPE and the other colocated events. There are hundreds of business and technical seminars and programs. The Society of Plastics Engineers’ (SPE) Antec conference by itself offers enough technical events to fill a week. SPI’s Business of Plastics Conference is a gold mine of ideas and strategies to get your operation moving faster.

As for the big show itself, take a look at just a fraction of the new tech at NPE, and believe me, it is only a small sampling. Most exhibitors have not provided advance info on what they’re showing. They want you to come to the show and see it. All of us on this team sincerely hope you do. IMM will be in booth S40031 in the South Hall. Come by and see us, too.

Rob Neilley
Editor in Chief
[email protected]