How to think about plastics in 2020

Since 1950, approximately 8.3 billion metric tons of virgin plastics have been produced worldwide, the equivalent of 176 million big rigs. Less than 20% of that plastic has been recycled or incinerated, leaving nearly 80% to accumulate in landfills or as litter in our natural environment. Despite its significant contributions to innovation, the plastics industry…

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Hoffer Plastics Expands Family Leadership Roles

hoffer family

SOUTH ELGIN — Hoffer Plastics Corporation, an industry leader and innovator in the custom injection molding industry, recently announced that CEO William Hoffer will take on a new role as Chairman of the Board effective January 1, 2020. These changes come on the heels of promotions for the third generation of Hoffer family leadership: Gretchen…

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Remembering Cal: A Story of Pediatric Cancer

As we slip into October, let us also remember that September represented Pediatric Cancer Awareness, a time for us all to commemorate those who have lost their fight —and share a moment of reflection to honor those amidst the battle for their young lives. In my recent history, as a Board member of a local Illinois a non-profit pediatric cancer foundation, Cal’s Angels, I’ve learned that awareness is the key to working towards the obstacles in finding a cure.

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Five Human Resource Tips To Improve Your Bottom Line

3 people at conference table with laptop

At family-owned Hoffer Plastics, Gretchen Farb oversees the finances of the plastic injection-molding business as well as the Hoffer Foundation. She manages the company’s investments and its 401(k) plan. In the last 12 to 18 months, Farb instituted new enterprise resource planning software and helped lead the company to a record year. Revenue last year rose 12.5 percent to $90 million . . .

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Gretchen Farb Named Crain’s Notable Women in Finance

At family-owned Hoffer Plastics, Gretchen Farb oversees the finances of the plastic injection-molding business as well as the Hoffer Foundation. She manages the company’s investments and its 401(k) plan. In the last 12 to 18 months, Farb instituted new enterprise resource planning software and helped lead the company to a record year. Revenue last year rose 12.5 percent to $90 million . . .

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Limited Growth Among Top 100 Injection Molders

Must be summer because it is time to look at the numbers behind Plastics News’ ranking of the Top 100 North American injection molders. Look to next week’s issue for the smaller firms.
There are 102 firms in the top 100 this year, that’s due to the three ties at No. 100. The companies have combined molding sales of $29.1 billion. The top 10 alone make up 34 percent of that total revenue. The average sales per firm is $284.7 million, holding steady compared with last year.
The general trend in automotive was down, although a few lucky firms managed to grow. Medical molders also grew. I read many annual reports where company executives explained that their sales increases were due to resin pricing pass-through to customers.
For those firms reporting growth at the top 100, the average increase was 15 percent. The figure rises to 23 percent if you include acquisition-related growth. Six percent of the top 100 executives in this list are women.

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China Tariffs Will Hit Consumers Hard

For many Americans, President Donald Trump’s trade war may soon get very real.

His administration is preparing to extend 25% tariffs to practically all Chinese imports not already hit with duties, including toys, sneakers, shirts, alarm clocks, toasters and coffeemakers. That’s roughly $300 billion worth of products on top of the $250 billion targeted earlier.

“The administration’s decision to announce a tax on every product coming from China puts America’s entire economy at risk,” the Retail Industry Leaders Association said in a statement. “Americans’ entire shopping cart will get more expensive.”

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Fallout from China Trade War

For many Americans, President Donald Trump’s trade war may soon get very real.

His administration is preparing to extend 25% tariffs to practically all Chinese imports not already hit with duties, including toys, sneakers, shirts, alarm clocks, toasters and coffeemakers. That’s roughly $300 billion worth of products on top of the $250 billion targeted earlier.

“The administration’s decision to announce a tax on every product coming from China puts America’s entire economy at risk,” the Retail Industry Leaders Association said in a statement. “Americans’ entire shopping cart will get more expensive.”

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