The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has completely overhauled its Injury and Illness Recordkeeping rule (29 C.F.R. § 1904), which becomes effective January 1, 2002. To help plastics companies comply with the changes in the regulation, SPI is offering a one-day course on January 17, 2002 from 10 am to 3 pm via live-satellite broadcast to downlink sites around the nation. The seminar costs $200 for SPI members and $265 for non-members. Registrations can be done online at the Plastic Learning Network™ (PLN) web site, www.plasticslearning.org. For information on course content, contact Susan Howe, Sr. Technical Director, at (202) 974-5223; email showe@socplas.org. For information on finding a downlink site near you, contact Barbara Darby at (864) 239-2939 x4; email bdarby@socplas.org.

Approved Downlink Sites for January OSHA Training
(Classroom seating is limited, so register soon.)

SPI Machine & Plant Safety Workshops Respond to High Workplace Amputation Risk

SPI will offer the first of several training workshops on machine and plant safety on February 14, 2002 via the SPI Plastics Learning Network™. The live SPI workshop telecasts will be part of an ongoing effort to improve the plastics industry's high-risk status for workplace amputations. OSHA has targeted workplaces using any type of power press, including press brakes, saws, shears, slicers and slitters as their number one focus for OSHA inspections according to the released "OSHA National Emphasis Program on Hazardous Machinery Associated with Amputations." OSHA's new system that calculates an industry amputation hazard rate using injury data and violations of machine safeguarding standards has established that plastics companies listed under SIC 3089 have the highest risk for such injuries. SPI strongly urges its affected members to become familiar with this Compliance Directive No. CPL 2-1.33 by going to OSHA's web site www.osha-slc.gov/OshDoc/Directive data/CPI 2-1.33.html and to be proactive in safety education and compliance to minimize these types of workplace injuries by taking advantage of the tools SPI is developing. For more information, contact Rick Sturgis at (864) 239-2939, email rsturgis@socplas.org; or Susan Howe at (202) 974-5223, email showe@socplas.org. Registration for these workshops will be posted soon on the PLN web site: www.plasticslearning.org.

PLN Certification Course Schedule Posted for Spring 2002

SPI is accepting registrations for its Spring 2002 Courses: Preparation for Injection Molding Certification and Preparation for Extrusion Certification. Both courses consist of 28 classroom hours and are designed to prepare training operators, first-line supervisors, and production personnel for the SPI National Certification in Plastics injection molding and extrusion exams by using live interactive lectures combined with demonstrations, videotapes, and computer-based graphics. The courses cover basic process control; preventive and correction action on primary and secondary equipment; handling, storage, packaging, and delivery of plastic materials; quality assurance; safety; tools and equipment; and general knowledge.

Preparation for Injection Molding Certification
February 26 to April 11, 2002 (Tues. & Thurs. - 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm E.T.)

Preparation for Extrusion Certification
February 25 to April 10, 2002 (Mon. & Wed. - 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm E.T.)

Spring 2002 Legislative Reception Dates Set

Dates for legislative receptions have been set for North and South Carolina. These receptions are an excellent way to share concerns with legislators in a relaxing, social setting and to educate them about plastics through industry displays. Over the past 12 years, the annual receptions have been helpful in laying the foundation for various SPI state initiatives such as mold lien and retention laws for plastics processors, funding for plastics education programs, and protecting the industry against unfeasible regulatory requirements. For more information on the receptions below, go to http://www.spisouth.org/events/index.htm or contact Pamela Rastatter at (864) 239-2939 x3; email prastatt@socplas.org.

South Carolina Legislative Reception . . . . . . . April 30, 2002 - Capital City Club, Columbia, SC

North Carolina Legislative Reception . . . . . . . June 4, 2002 - North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh, NC

SPI Member Shares Numerous Benefits from PLN & Other SPI Programs

At a live PLN demonstration held for the Western North Carolina plastics industry on November 8, President and CEO of United Southern Industries, Joe Bennett shared his company's positive results from using an array of SPI workforce development tools. United Southern Industries has been a forerunner in implementing Orient Me!™ computerized orientation software, Plastics Learning Network™ training, National Certification in Plastics™ testing, and Spherion employment screening services. "By investing in these programs, we are also showing our employees we care enough about them to spend time and money on their career development. The dividends are big, in that self-esteem is raised immensely, moral is higher, as well as their confidence and competency levels," Bennett said. "When employees feel their work is important, it can have an amazing impact on a company's bottom line." Since utilizing these programs, USI has reduced quality issues by 70%; increased efficiency by 15%, and improved turn over by 60%. Worker dependability and attendance has also improved substantially. Presently, USI has had 44 employees complete PLN training courses and successfully pass the National Certification in Plastics exams for machine operators. Their goal is to have over 100 in the 1st quarter of 2002. Bennett summarized that "While the cost of training can be substantial, the benefits are tremendous and the retention of the trained, skilled and motivated employees make the investment minimal over the long haul."

Is Your Company Paying too Much in Personal Property Taxes?

Due to changing, differing and complex state tax laws, many companies overpay each year. Through an innovative partnership with the Property Tax Advisory Group, Inc. (PTAG), SPI announces a new, members-only service to help members ensure they are not paying to much on their personal property taxes for capital equipment, thus decreasing their bottom lines. PTAG conducts confidential, risk-free audits for companies, and if the analysis yields nothing, there is no charge. If PTAG finds tax savings, it charges clients a fee based on 50% of the tax savings found. PTAG also provides your company with a detailed explanation of adjustments to be used for future filings. Typically 91% of clients realize an average savings of 20%. For more information, go to www.plasticsindustry.org/business/programs/ptag.htm. To schedule a risk-free analysis for your company, contact Bud Long toll-free at (800) 883-8137.

NPE 2003 Exhibitor Space Drawing in March 2002

Companies that plan to exhibit at NPE 2003, but have not received the Exhibitor Prospectus, should contact show management as soon as possible to make sure they can take part in the critical Drawing for Exhibit Space only three months from now. Most of the NPE exhibit space for all five halls of Chicago's McCormick Place is assigned during the three-day drawing. The Prospectus, mailed in early November, contains all the information required to sign up for space, including floor plans of the exhibit halls, rules and regulations on exhibiting, exhibit space contract and exhibit space application. The last two items must be submitted by February 22, 2002, in order for a company to be included in the Drawing held in Chicago from March 5-7, 2002. Company representatives need not be present at the Drawing in order for their firms to be assigned space. To obtain a Prospectus, companies should contact the NPE 2003 show management firm, Hall-Erickson, (630) 434-7779; e-mail npe@heiexpo.com.

SPI Conferences to be hosted in Southern Region

SPI's Machinery and Moldmakers Divisions will join forces again to host a joint conference from May 5-8, 2002, at the Ritz-Carlton in Palm Beach, FL. The event will provide an opportunity for equipment manufacturers and moldmakers from around the country to meet with their colleagues to discuss hot topics such as strategies for global competition. The event will also feature a forum for moldmakers to discuss common interests, concerns and issues. For more information, contact Jennifer Pedri at (202) 974-5231; email jpedri@socplas.org.

The Vinyl Formulators Division will hold its next annual conference July 14-16, 2002 at Kiawah Island Resort in South Carolina. The conference focuses on technical updates relative to surface tension and water-based inks, as well as phthalates and PVC resin. Other presentation topics of interest include The Six Sigma Way to Quality, PVC Plastisol 101 Preview and What's New in Color Matching Equipment. For a conference agenda, log on to www.flexiblevinyl.org or contact Jennifer Buffington at (202) 974-5234; email jbuffing@socplas.org.

SPI South to Partner with SPI's Molders Division for 2003 Conference

A joint SPI South and Molders Division conference will be held in Spring 2003 at the elegant Charleston Place Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina from April 5 - 9, 2003. A joint committee of members from SPI South and the Molders Division will be formed to develop a conference program of topics and speakers relevant to the needs of injection molders as well as other types of processors and suppliers. As traditional for both groups, the conference will feature fun and relaxing social and recreational networking events.

It's Not to Late to Nominate a Colleague for Distinguished Service

Around the Southern region there are many men and women in the plastics industry who give of their time serving their industry and providing leadership on trade association task groups, committees and boards or by sharing their knowledge and experience with their colleagues as speakers and instructors at educational seminars. Many of these industry leaders can be found behind the scenes promoting the plastics industry by volunteering in their communities on workforce development and education programs as well as on charitable service projects. They are the men and woman who roll up their sleeves and step outside their offices and plants to make a difference for the plastics industry. They deserve to be recognized and appreciated by their colleagues.

With this in mind, SPI South is seeking nominations for its prestigious Distinguished Service Award. Qualified candidates for the award will have benefited the plastics industry in the South with his or her efforts. Benefits solely to oneself or company will not be considered for this service award. Some specific examples describing the nominee's efforts should be included on the nomination form. To nominate by email go to: www.spisouth.org/awards/awardform.htm. To learn more about previous recipients, go to www.spisouth.org/awards/index.htm.

SPI Revamps Its Economic Report

To make it easier for business executives to understand the complex economic statistics that SPI gathers annually, the SPI Economic Report has been broken down into five separate reports:

The Size and Impact of the U.S. Plastics Industry provides data on shipments, employment, capital investment, average wages and number of facilities in each state and county for each plastics industry sector, as documented by the North America Industry Classification System. Includes growth rates for all states and all sectors, an analysis of the plastics industry's impact on the economy, as well as Excel tables (on disk or via e-mail) of all the NAICS categories for each state. This report is available with state data only or both state and county data.

Global Business Trends, Partners, Hot Products is the only report of its kind that looks at trade data by plastic industry sector, providing details such as exports, imports and trade balance figures and providing insights into the forces behind the numbers. Discover potential new overseas markets, map strategies for new business ventures, grow your business, or protect the business you have. Includes five-year trade data in a "zipped" file of all trade data for all countries, all plastics.

State-by-State: Resin and Equipment is a comprehensive report of government data combined with TownsendTarnell surveys of nearly 13,000 processors. It covers high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene terephthalate shipments in each of the 50 states and includes the number of installed plastics machinery in each state, with specifics on film and sheet extrusion, rotomolding, pipe extrusion, injection molding, profile extrusion and compounding equipment.

Equipment Statistics Annual and Quarterly Reports are comprised of data collected directly from the equipment manufacturers providing information on shipments of plastics injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, auxiliary and component equipment. The report puts the data in context with the overall plastics industry, its trends and all major economic indicators.

Plastics End-Market Snapshots provide the larger macro-economic trends affecting seven key plastics end-markets, including: Autos and Light Trucks, Other Transportation Equipment, Medical, Packaging, Building and Construction, Appliances, and Other Electrical/Electronic. The "Snapshots" examine plastics usage in each end-market and includes a number of indicators of the U.S. economy, raw materials costs and other key variables. Snapshots can be purchased separately.

For more information on the new SPI Economic Reports go to: www.plasticsindustry.org/business/literatu.htm

If you need assistance in getting in touch with the right SPI trade association professional Relative to an SPI program, service, publication, or regulatory matter contact: SPI South at (864) 239-2939.