Now in its ninth year, the annual, free and anonymous of injection molders is once again open and accepting entries until April 30. This comprehensive questionnaire gathers and analyzes demographic data, performance indicators, and 大象传媒 and process strategies of injection molding companies. The unit of Plastics Technology’s publisher, , then scores a selection of performance metrics from the questionnaire, with the highest scoring companies to be named Top Shops for 2025 based on their 2024 operations.

By completing , injection molders will receive a benchmarking report customized for their facility and have opportunities to earn top shop status as well as special recognition in the digital and print pages of Plastics Technology.

Because molders’ time is valuable, PT has taken steps to make the process easier and more efficient, like a good molding process. Specifically, is divided into two sections. The core survey is made up of a set of essential questions that most participants have answered in previous years. In addition, there are optional modules. These sections are organized by specific areas of interest, and survey takers can choose the modules that are most relevant to their 大象传媒es.

Interested molders are asked to complete the by April 30, 2025. Doing so ensures they will receive a customized benchmarking report, showing how their responses to key productivity questions compare to other survey takers in an anonymous fashion. Completing the questionnaire by that time also ensures the survey taker has a chance to be named a Top Shop for 2025 and be recognized as an honoree online and in the October print issue of Plastics Technology magazine.

Read about past honorees and survey results below, and :

2024: Top Shops 2024: Consensus Conclusions and Mixed Messages
2023: Top Shops Benchmarking Report: Molding at the Margin
2022: Top Shops 2022: Cost Conquerors
2021: Top Shops Adapt, Evolve and Overcome
2020: Top Shops 2020: Molding More from Less

"The opening of the first Polymer Center-Blue Polymers complex is a significant milestone in advancing circularity for plastic packaging in Indiana and across the region," says Jon Vander Ark, Republic Services president and chief executive officer.

The Indianapolis Polymer Center and Blue Polymers facilities are designed to work together to produce more than 175 million pounds annually of recycled plastics for use in food-grade packaging and other applications. The Polymer Center is owned and operated by Republic Services, and Republic is a joint-venture partner in Blue Polymers.

The Polymer Center will process recycled plastics collected  in Indiana and nearby states, including PET, HDPE and polypropylene. PET will be shredded and washed to produce recycled PET (rPET) flake. The HDPE and polypropylene will be sorted by color and type then sent to Blue Polymers to be compounded, blended and pelletized, creating custom drop-in solutions for customers.

designed the dual line system for the Polymer Center, comprised of a mixed plastics line and a PET line. Equipment includes the WireX machine for bale opening and the STT2000 ballistic separator for sorting.

“The new Indianapolis Polymer Center is a testament to Stadler’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the U.S. recycling industry, contributing to the development of a plastics circular economy,” stated Jürgen Berger, head of international sales at Stadler.

Republic Services and Blue Polymers are developing a network of plastics recycling facilities for nationwide coverage. A Republic Services Polymer Center opened in late 2023 in Las Vegas, also a collaboration with Stadler. A second Blue Polymers facility is scheduled to open later this year in Buckeye, Arizona. Another Polymer Center-Blue Polymers complex is in development in the Northeastern U.S.

The Indianapolis recycling complex includes two buildings totaling approximately 300,000 square feet. Together, the two operations are expected to create about 125 local jobs.

The project received support through a grant from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's Central Indiana Waste Diversion Pilot Project; tax credits from the City of Indianapolis in conjunction with Develop Indy, the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development and Employ Indy; Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) incentive-based tax credits, based on the company's investment and job creation plans; and IEDC Hoosier Business Investment tax credits, designed to help companies invest in smart manufacturing and new technologies.

Source: Getty Images

announced in March that it had acquired (MSA) of Ludlow, Massachusetts. Meredith-Springfield specializes in design and blow molding of PET and HDPE bottles and containers, especially those presenting technical challenges. It was co-founded in 1983 by Mel O’Leary, president and CEO. Precision Concepts says Meredith-Springfield will continue to be led by its existing leadership team.

Based in Huntersville, North Carolina, Precision Concepts is a diversified manufacturer of rigid packaging — jars, vials, bottles, closures, spouts and deodorant sticks — as well as laminate tubes. It employs extrusion, injection molding (including two- and three-shot), extrusion blow molding, and one- and two-stage stretch-blow molding of PET, HDPE, PP and PS. Primary markets include food and beverages, personal care and nutraceutical industries.

Precision Concepts was launched as Intra-Pac Group in 2003 when it was spun off from CCL Industries. The current name was adopted in 2022. It has around 1,200 employees and nine manufacturing plants located in Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Arizona, Costa Rica and Ontario and Alberta, Canada, and now Massachusetts.

Meredith-Springfield is the firm’s eighth acquisition. “This acquisition extends our footprint in the Northeast and continues our strategy of partnering with world-class, founder-led 大象传媒es,” says Ray Grupinski, Precision Concepts’ CEO.

Uniloy’s first all-electric injection-blow machine, model UIB 85-E, is an 85-tonner aimed at medical and other “clean” applications. It’s the first of a new three-machine line. Source: Uniloy Inc.
Source: Uniloy

Uniloy Inc. has hit three-quarters of a century mark this year. The firm says it was the first supplier of blow molding equipment in the U.S. and has grown to become the only manufacturer to supply the four technologies of shuttle extrusion blow, accumulator-head, injection-blow and reciprocating-screw extrusion blow.

As announced recently, Uniloy is emphasizing its commitment to shuttle technology in the U.S. by installing two demonstration machines at its headquarters in Tecumseh, Michigan.

Uniloy’s core technologies include UR reciprocating-screw series blow molding machines, industrial blow molding machines, UAI accumulator-head and UCI parison transfer, and UCS continuous-extrusion shuttle, UIB injection-blow molding machines, as well as molds and trim tooling.

Uniloy also offers aftermarket service and support, including parts, field service or complete machine retrofits and rebuilds.

Husky Technologies’ new Parts Distribution Center inauguration in Chennai, India. Source: Husky

Husky Technologies says it is reinforcing its ongoing 25-year commitment to India with expanded facilities, technology innovations and service enhancements designed to support the country’s growth as a global sustainability provider. The company commemorated its efforts with a two-day customer event at its Chennai campus that took place March 20-21, hosted by Husky’s regional leaders and senior executives. 

“As we welcomed customers to our Chennai campus, we weren’t just celebrating 25 years of working together, we were demonstrating our intensified commitment to India’s future,” says Bradley Selleck, Husky CEO. “Our customers in this region have expressed a need for responsive partners who are closer, faster, speak their native language and can deliver innovative solutions enabling them to be more competitive. We’ve listened and the investments we’re developing deliver on these needs.” 

Husky’s presence in India has grown significantly since selling its first system in the country in 1999. The company followed up by opening a flagship sales and service office in 2001, followed in 2009 with the groundbreaking of its Chennai manufacturing facility. In May 2023, Husky kicked off the next phase of expansion which culminated in the opening of a new Delhi office in November 2024. The company has now established additional capabilities in India, including a regional proactive monitoring center, enhanced service center, packaging development center, parts distribution center and a learning academy. 

Husky says that India’s sustainability mandates — which require 30% recycled plastic content in packaging by 2026 and 60% by 2029 — create both challenges and opportunities for regional producers. The company’s expanded presence supports customers in navigating these requirements through circular economy solutions. 

“India has the foundation to emerge as a global leader in sustainable packaging with its unmatched scale, culture of innovation, forward-thinking policies and unique socioeconomic conditions,” says Robert Domodossola, Husky’s president of systems and tooling. “The circular economy is the solution for balancing waste management with essential packaging needs. Our innovative technologies, packaging design expertise, and experience with processing recycled PET offer solutions that enable producers to meet recycled content requirements while achieving high performance and quality standards.” 

Husky says its strategic focus on India recognizes the country’s potential as a global model for sustainable manufacturing, demonstrating how countries can maintain economic growth while embracing circular economy principles. 

Edward Duignan was named SPE’s 2025 Moldmaker of the Year. Source (all images) SPE

Members of the moldmaking community were recently honored for excellence at the Plastics Technology Exposition (PTXPO) 2025. The Mold Technologies Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers presented the following awards at PTXPO in the SPE Mold Technologies booth.

These four international awards are presented annually for individual expertise as well as individual contributions to the industry and community.

Edward Duignan, , Rochester, New York, was named the 2025 Moldmaker of the Year, sponsored by Hasco America. Duignan is a 47-year veteran of the moldmaking industry having started his career at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).

Jim Fattori, , was named the 2025 Mold Designer of the Year, sponsored by Progressive Components. Fattori is a third-generation moldmaker/designer with a degree in industrial engineering from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. He has written more than 60 articles for Plastics Technology and Moldmaking Technology magazines throughout the course of his career.

Markus Woeste, , in Shanty Bay, Ontario, Canada, was named 2025 Mold Repair Technician of the Year, sponsored by MoldTrax. Woeste is a 37-year veteran of the moldmaking/repair industry. His German heritage and drive for success help in ensuring that molds are repaired correctly not just “fixed” for the short term. Woeste is a member of the international community of moldmaking/repair professionals living and working in Ontario, Canada.

Nick Paxon, Thermo-Fisher Scientific, Rochester, New York, was named the 2025 Apprentice of the Year – Moldmaking, sponsored by PCS Company. Paxon completed his New York State Certified Apprenticeship in January 2025. His scholastic achievements include carrying a 3.8 GPA through the related theory program in advanced CNC programming. Paxon is an “all-around” moldmaker with the ability to take a project from initial release in the mold shop to testing in the press. He has demonstrated skills in all areas of machine technologies toward his credentials as a certified journey worker in the trade of Moldmaking.

This marks the second year for the presentation of the Apprentice of the Year for the division and shows further growth in the recognition of practitioners and trainees in the moldmaking industry. These awards are open to all members of the moldmaking community throughout the world. Along with each award is a $1,000 stipend to be donated to the award recipient’s training program of choice. The Moldmaking Apprentice of the Year receives $500 in tooling to outfit their toolbox and a $500 stipend for personal use.

In addition, MMT Editorial Director Christina Fuges was honored when the board unanimously named her an honorary moldmaker and presented her with her own Gerstner toolbox. Fuges is a 28-year veteran and proponent of all things moldmaking and design, the board says. 

Fuges has served as the division secretary to the board of directors for the Mold Technologies Division and works tirelessly to promote the industry. She helped create the first Amerimold Program/Event in Columbus, Ohio, and continues promoting moldmaking with joint events at PTXPO and/or Amerimold.

The board thanked Fuges for her efforts to bring together moldmaking organizations to promote the great opportunities available for moldmakers, mold designers and mold repair technicians as career choices.

Source: Getty Images

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released an official , authored by Chief Economist Dr. Perc Pineda, examining the potential impact of the European Union’s proposed retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. plastics industry. 

According to Pineda, in response to the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imposed by the U.S. on March 12, 2025, the European Union (EU) has proposed countermeasures that include resin and plastic products. As part of this process, the European Commission launched an information-gathering notice under Regulation (EU) No. 354/2014 regarding the new U.S. tariffs and potential EU rebalancing measures. The notice, which opened on March 12, 2025, allowed stakeholders to submit input only until March 26, 2025.

“The European Commission has identified 1,708 products for possible countermeasures, including 60 resin and plastic products at the 8-digit EU Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) level,” Pineda says. “When matched to the corresponding 6-digit U.S. HTS codes, the proposed EU tariffs are estimated to impact $5.9 billion in U.S. plastics resin and product exports to the EU, based on 2024 export values.”

Based on the $4.3 billion in U.S. imports of the above resin and plastic products from the EU in 2024, the European Commission’s proposed countermeasures put a potential $1.6 billion U.S. trade surplus from 2024 at risk in 2025. While the European Commission has not included plastic equipment and molds in its proposed countermeasures, U.S. plastics equipment and moldmakers that use steel and aluminum imported from the EU are already affected by the U.S. tariffs, Pineda says.

Pineda says the group will continue to monitor global trade dynamics and countries’ responses to shifts in U.S. trade and tariffs, particularly as they impact the plastics industry supply chain. The organization will analyze further developments and share insights with its members and the broader U.S. plastics industry as more information becomes available.

PLASTICS supports the entire plastics supply chain, including equipment suppliers, material suppliers, processors and recyclers — representing over one million workers in the $519 billion U.S. industry. The organization says it advances the priorities of its members who are dedicated to investing in technologies that improve capabilities and advances in recycling and sustainability, and providing essential products that enable for the protection and safety of lives.

Since 1937, PLASTICS has been working to make its members, and the eighth largest U.S. manufacturing industry, more globally competitive while supporting circularity through educational initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, convening opportunities and policy advocacy, including the largest plastics trade show in the Americas, NPE: The Plastics Show.

Scuralli served as president of Wayne Machine from 1985 through 2009, when it was sold to Steer World, manufacturers of twin-screw compounding machinery. Among other things, Wayne Machine supplied the well-known Yellow Jacket line of single-screw extruders for laboratory and production applications. Following the sale, Scuralli left the industry and worked in various positions in academia, including a 17-year stint at Berkeley College in New York. For the last 21 years, he has also served as a councilman for the Township of Wayne, New Jersey. Scuralli earned his doctorate degree in international 大象传媒 and marketing in 1996 from Pace University, Lubin School of Business.

In a statement, Scuralli says his new company is dedicated to providing a comprehensive range of products. This portfolio encompasses large, midsized and small production extrusion lines, and pilot and laboratory-scale equipment.

Leveraging his extensive experience in extruder screw manufacturing and building extrusion lines for various processes, Scuralli says he aims to offer equipment solutions featuring single and twin-screw technology in film, sheet, compounding, wire insulation, high-temperature, fluorocarbon, profiles, devolatilization, monofilament, medical and industrial tubing, and specialty applications.

He notes, “After visiting NPE2024, I became quite bullish on the prospects for the plastics industry. Etrudamerica LLC is committed to playing a significant role in the industrial renaissance the extrusion sector of the plastics industry is poised to realize.”

Scuralli adds, “We are actively seeking to add new equipment and service supplier partners, and are excited to make a major announcement about our first agency agreement in the coming days.”

Engel has opened a new injection molding machine manufacturing plant in Querétaro, Mexico. Source: Plastics Technology Mexico

In an exclusive interview, Stefan Engleder, CEO of the Engel Group, mentioned that this expansion enables the company to significantly accelerate the start of production and ensure greater machine availability for customers throughout the region.

The Querétaro plant has the capacity to produce between 180 and 200 injection molding machines per year and offers space for future expansions. Thus, Engel plans to increase production over the next two years, strengthening its capacity to supply injection molding machines to customers across the American continent.

In addition to increasing production, Engel is also expanding its workforce. It currently has 205 employees and plans to increase this number to 300 over the next 12 months.

“We have a very elaborate training scheme,” Engleder says. “We hire engineers and logistics specialists directly from universities and technical schools. They are then sent to Austria to receive intensive training for several weeks, which can extend up to three or four months. They return to continue with practical local training. This the basis to ensure the quality standards we have in Austria.”

Engel will initially manufacture two series of injection molding machines at this plant: the e-mac series (a fully electric machine) and the WINTEC t-win (a large two-platen hydraulic machine), as well as robots and customized automation offerings. The goal is to develop vertically integrated production and a comprehensive solutions center for automation and technical support.

According to Vanessa Malena, president of Engel North and South America, the strong connection with the corporate office in York, Pennsylvania, enables seamless support across the Americas. “Being in nearly the same time zone allows us to ensure fast communication, strong collaboration and aligned expertise,” Malena says. “Many customers operate in both the U.S. and Mexico, and having a strong presence in both regions allows us to serve them better than ever. We are ready to listen, innovate and grow with our customers.”

According to Engleder, the American continent continues to gain strategic importance for the company, as it represents the largest potential market for injection molding machines. The company considers Mexico to be a key industrial and production hub in the long term to offer solutions to all the Americas.

Winchester has more than seven years of experience in plastics industry machinery sales, both in injection molding and extrusion.

He notes, “Throughout my career, I’ve built a strong network and developed a deep understanding of the industry, particularly in product knowledge and sales,” he says. “I’m eager to put these skills to work and contribute to our team's success while providing excellent service to our clients.”

Alex Winchester
Source: ACS Group

Winchester will report to Will Loeffler, ACS’s regional sales manager — Southeast. Loeffler notes, “We continue to build our sales team with knowledgeable, plastics-industry experienced professionals who can bring real value to our customers and their operations. Alex fits this model, and we are happy to have him on our team.”

The ACS product line includes size reduction equipment (granulators and shredders), material conveying equipment, metering and blending devices, heat exchangers (mold temperature controls units and chillers), steam control equipment, drying systems, manufacturing insight services and presses. These products are marketed under such recognizable brand names as AEC, Sterling, Sterlco, Cumberland, MiVue, Wabash and Carver.