PMM Insight: A Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing Podcast

What you'll learn on this PMM Insight podcast episode, a commentary by Editor Ron Shinn:   We are in an era of manufacturing transition, from huge numbers of lunchpail-toting workers streaming out of the factory gate at the end of their shift to an era of fewer workers making more goods.   What will it take to succeed in the new era? Embracing Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing; following sustai...

On this episode of the Machinery Minutes podcast:  As the national conversation on manufacturing expansion and reshoring continues, we want to know:  Do you have excess capacity  available to take on new business right away?  Learn about the advantages of joining the PLASTICS  Committee on Equipment Statistics .  Dri-Air has added two new models to the  low-throughput MD dryer series that debuted...

In this episode of the Machinery Minutes podcast: Hoffer Plastics and Rocheleau Tool & Die, both third-generation family-owned plastics businesses,  are thriving and remain committed  to staying independent and honoring their heritage. The historic HPM brand, known for injection molding machines, has been  officially retired by Yizumi,  the Chinese firm that acquired its assets in 2011. Blow m...

What you'll learn in this PMM Insight podcast, with Editor Ron Shinn and Senior Staff Reporter Karen Hanna:    Merger and acquisition activity in the plastics industry is slow, but private equity companies are still buying.  The first step in selling a business might not be the one you expect.  A buyer's commitment to employees frequently plays a big part in a seller’s decision. 

What you'll learn on this episode of the Machinery Minutes podcast: Managing mergers and acquisitions : Whether you're buying, selling or keeping your business in the family, we spoke with experts who have tips to ensure the best outcome for all stakeholders.  Yaskawa America announces expansion : With a $180 million investment, the company will consolidate Illinois and Wisconsin operations in Fra...

On this episode of the Machinery Minutes podcast: Shipments of injection molding and extrusion machinery in North America fell 17.5 percent in the first quarter from the previous quarter and 4.6 percent  year over year , according to the Plastics Industry Association's Committee on Equipment Statistics.  What's weighing on the market? Learn how Wittmann's space-saving Insider Package machine cells...

What you'll learn on this PMM Insight podcast episode , a commentary by Editor Ron Shinn:  The Plastics Industry Association and National Association of Manufacturers support the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” now being debated in the U.S. Senate.  The challenge for the plastics industry is to influence the Senate to keep the good provisions of the tax bill while tinkering with the rest.  Can the U....

Learn about three top stories of the week: As the U.S. Senate debates President Trump’s so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill,” we look at what it could mean  for plastics processors. Henning Stieglitz , CEO and CTO of the German company that manufactures Battenfeld Cincinnati extrusion machines, talked with the VDMA about sustainability, artificial intelligence, post-consumer material and problems wi...

Key points from this episode of the Machinery Minutes podcast: Corporate sustainability goals are colliding with the reality of a political climate dominated by news of cuts and regulatory backlash, but work on recycling is moving ahead at the state and company level because it makes business sense.  Pete Sullivan, a long-time publisher of trade magazines for the plastics industry, and a member of...

On this episode of Machinery Minutes: Bekum America builds application-specific extrusion blow molding equipment and prides itself on customer support, especially to new blow molders. Take a look behind the scenes.  The SPE Thermoforming Division presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Greg McCunn, staff engineer for materials at John Deere, at its recent conference.  Learn about Wittmann’s la...

Key points from this PMM Insight podcast, with Editor Ron Shinn and Senior Staff Reporter Karen Hanna:   Leaders can put their heads down and cope with a crisis, but to successfully deal with change they have to keep their heads up, take a deep breath and make decisions that gets them to their goal.  Lean manufacturing plays an important role in dealing with chaotic times.  Believe it or not, ther...

Key points from this episode:  Digital transformation holds the key to making better decisions about your customers’ needs, machine maintenance, supply chain trends and more.   A top leadership consultant discusses how to cope with fear, volatile markets, global instability and waves of tariff announcements and suspensions.  PTi has upgraded and rebranded its twin-screw dryerless sheet extruder fo...

Key points from this episode of the Machinery Minutes podcast: A survey of PMM readers found processors and equipment suppliers are unhappy and are at a loss as to how to deal with the constantly changing tariff landscape. Orders are slowing down and processors are postponing equipment purchases. Read the summary story or  listen to our podcast commentary.   It may seem like chaos in the business...

Key points from this PMM Insight podcast episode:  Processors and others responding to a PMM survey said they believe that the Trump administration’s trade policies will have a negative impact on their business and that customers are already delaying orders.  More than 60 percent said they are delaying purchases of new machinery and equipment.  There was little optimism that reshoring would result...

Key points in this episode of the Machinery Minutes podcast:  There are  significant stumbling blocks to reshoring , including our labor shortage, lack of manufacturing capacity and failure to invest in artificial intelligence, according to the annual Kearney Reshoring Index.  China is eating our lunch  when it comes to investing in automation and industrial robotics. Can plastics processors help?...

Key points in this episode of the Machinery Minutes podcast:  Andrew Wheeler , president of Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corp., discusses how packaging markets have changed, the growing use of recycled plastics and whether the W&H Group might start building machines in the U.S.  Manufacturers will continue to invest in artificial intelligence, but are moving toward generative AI, according to i...

Key points from this podcast episode: Collecting operational data has become easy. Using it effectively is the difficult part. For our recent cover story, three consultants talked about the competitive price processors pay when they don’t effectively use their data. Editor Ron Shinn discusses.   The IT director at a Pennsylvania thermoformer has seen spectacular on-time-delivery results pulling da...

Key points in this episode of the Machinery Minutes podcast:   Modern processing machinery collects plenty of data, but using it can be problematic. Three experts explain how it can help your molding business and the high cost of ignoring it.   Bobby May, the IT director at Pennsylvania thermoformer SAY Plastics, has built 120 dashboards that puts the right ERP data in front of decision-makers at...

Key points in this episode of the Machinery Minutes podcast:  Molding bioresins takes patience, skill and determination. Having a good partner helps too, as Refork found in Mold-Masters .  The 3D printing equipment market is struggling under the weight of high interest rates. But big-name OEMs are still embracing the technology. Are we at a turning point for the 3D printing industry?  Endeavor Bus...

The domestic auto industry is in big trouble, with no sign that things will get better anytime soon. The industry was making progress in transitioning to electric vehicles, but at a critical time when it needs support, it is not getting it.  While domestic EV production is being slowed by tariffs and automakers are trying to figure out how to move forward, other countries are racing ahead. What do...

In this episode of Machinery Minutes: President Trump’s latest round of tariffs were condemned by industry trade groups , including PLASTICS, VDMA and the Recycled Materials Association.  Reshoring guru Harry Moser thinks Trump’s tariffs will cause short-term pain but could lead to long-term gain for the economy.  Dutch machinery maker Stork launches a new line of all-electric injection molding ma...

UBQ Materials has developed a process to turn organic waste into biobased composite materials. Think banana peels, dirty diapers, chicken bones, greasy pizza boxes or even unrecyclable plastic. Now they want to build a U.S. plant. A new thermoforming technology from Origin Materials can produce PET and recycled PET caps at a speed that’s competitive with other processes.   Talks on a global treaty...

A new market study says that high interest rates are causing processors to delay buying 3D printing equipment. Some resin makers and equipment manufacturers have exited the business.  But there are big-name OEMs, such as the BMW Group, pushing ahead with groundbreaking new projects. It appears automation may be important to the future of 3D printing, Editor Ron Shinn reports in this PMM Insight co...

Plastics machinery sales are down — again. On this episode of Machinery Minutes, hear more about the latest figures from PLASTICS' Committee on Equipment Statistics and the outlook for the rest of the year.  Bioresins are growing in popularity as companies emphasize sustainability, but they pose processing challenges. Hear how extrusion and blow molding equipment makers are adapting.  Artie Riegge...

In this episode of the Machinery Minutes podcast, you'll hear about the new production facility Engel has opened in Mexico, aimed at providing faster delivery times and increased availability of injection molding machines in the Americas.    Also, Husky Technologies has acquired secondary injection unit and rotary platen technologies from MGS Healthcare Manufacturing to complement its multi-materi...