Lewiston, MN September 23, 2015 – PlastiCert, a 34 year veteran of innovative and quality plastic injection molding design and manufacturing services, recently attended the Society for the Plastics Industry (SPI), Midwest Workshop.
PlastiCert President and Owner Craig Porter attended the SPI Midwest Workshop, which included a discussion on recycling and a plant tour at Steinwall Scientific. The recycling discussion included a presentation/discussion from representatives of city and county recycling efforts, as well as representatives of the Minnesota Pollution control agency. Plastics Hall of Fame recipient and owner of Steinwall Scientific, Maureen Steinwall, led the presentation that followed. She presented the culmination of 30 years of research and experimentation on employee training, their Knowledge Management System.
Colleen Sinclair, Recycling Coordinator for the Coon Rapids Recycling Center, led the recycling talk. The interactive discussion revolved around the recycling system and the types of recycling they can handle. An offshoot discussed the “recycling” number designations, and how they are not “recycling” codes, they are plastics codes. Created by the SPI, the numbers represent various plastics groups in a 1 through 7 format. The remainder of the discussion focused on what is and is not recyclable. The result was that it really boils down to if there is an aftermarket avenue. A result of the discussion included more communication and awareness of those possible avenues for aftermarket.
Steinwall Scientific President and CEO Maureen Steinwall then presented the framework of their Knowledge Management System. How Steinwall uses it, the means for delivery, and how the coworkers interact with it. The program makes extensive use of iPads spread throughout the manufacturing floor, support areas, and in some cases, people are issued an iPad. Through the iPads, coworkers can access everything they need to know from orientation, training, and work instructions, to quality of life tips and much more. The presentation was followed by a trip to the Steinwall main facility and an extensive tour to see the Knowledge Management System in use.
The day ended with SPI President & CEO Bill Carteaux giving an overview of SPI’s take on the state of the industry. He provided information and insight on past issues and emerging trends relating to the plastics industry equipment, workforce, and material supply base. He also shared some interesting stories about how SPI, headquartered in Washington D.C., has been able to make connections and apply influence in administration policy.
“I am really glad I went to the SPI meeting,” said Craig Porter, President/Owner of PlastiCert. “Both presentations were very useful and applicable to what we are doing at PlastiCert. We are continuing our Green evolution, which includes recycling. We too are converting over from paper and implementing Tablets at all our work centers. Maureen was great about offering up a look and detailed information on what she has done and letting us learn from it. When we capped it off with SPI’s industry update, it was a very informative day!”
PlastiCert was founded in 1981 and is a privately held corporation with headquarters and manufacturing in Lewiston Minnesota. Initially a custom molder targeted at the electronics industry, today PlastiCert is a one-stop shop for OEMs in telecom, industrial, computer, avionics, and medical markets. PlastiCert provides both mold development/build and custom plastic injection molding; including insert molding and over molding. Also available are a compliment of value add capabilities including decorating and electro-mechanical assembly. For more information on PlastiCert and the opportunity they present users of custom molded plastic components, visit www.plasticert.com or call 507-523-2300.