
Medford

Priewe
“Primex offers the opportunity to fully utilize and expand my sales background and experience in the plastics industry,” said Priewe. “The wide range of leading products offered by Primex will allow me to grow the business while providing customized solutions to our customers.” According to Priewe, other things that attracted him to Primex were the company’s 50 years in business and its constant upgrades to its facilities and product lines. Prior to beginning his business career, Priewe served in the United States Marine Corps in San Diego, CA, USA.

Arceo

Adelmann
Adelmann started his career as a CNC programmer, experience he believes helped him understand the manufacturing process early on and has resulted in better service to customers all along the way. He moved to the sales side of the business in 2000 and subsequently learned advanced materials over five years with a company that manufactured plastics and nonferrous materials using a multitude of different technologies. He also worked as an application engineer and product specialist for CNCs, storage systems and panel saws.
“I am able to see the whole picture of what a company is trying to do. When someone goes in and tries to install a system quickly, they may bottleneck the next step. My lengthy experience in manufacturing makes me able to take a more comprehensive view. The fact that I have been exposed to so many kinds of software means I am able to address any fears a customer may have about integration. I’m also very experienced on the service side and have the mechanical aptitude to make sure every customer gets the machine that’s exactly right for them,” said Adelmann.

Buchner

Hagemann
Hagemann earned his bachelor of science degree in plastics technology and began building experience in everything from plastic welding processes to injection molding equipment. He also spent 14 years working in contract manufacturing on the procurement side, outsourcing plastic and composite components to CNC suppliers, thermoforming, injection, extrusion, rotational, blow and reaction injection molding.
“Advanced materials are the forerunner of the future in components manufacturing,” Hagemann said. “Whatever you can machine using a conventional material, such as wood, you can do in a synthetic, man-made material. As new materials continue to be developed, we have endless opportunities to rethink the ways things can be done. My intent is to use my knowledge in materials and experiences to explore new CNC possibilities on this adventure with our team and customers.”

Kraguljac
Dear IAPD and EPDA members, dear friends!
I just turned 66 years old, and as Austrian songwriter Udo Jürgens sang: ‘Life begins at 66!’ Therefore, after 42 years, I ended my professional engagement in the Zell-Metall Group on September 30 and resigned from all my positions. This step has been planned for several years and discussed and coordinated with my cousin KR DI Wilhelm Klepsch, Chairman of the Klepsch-Group.
Since a generation change, especially in family businesses cannot happen overnight, the two of us have prepared a change of guard since 2016 and have forged a capable, highly motivated team. My successor Erich Buchner is well prepared for his tasks and will take over the commercial management of Zell-Metall. Believe me, if I did not have trust in him, I would not hand over.
A major highlight of my career was my involvement in IAPD and EPDA. For me these two associations have affected and changed our industry. My first IAPD Convention was 1982 in Big Bear, MT, USA, my first EPDA Meeting in Athens, Greece. Zell-Metall was the first European manufacturer to attend an IAPD convention. During the general session, someone asked how to keep foreigners out. My answer was: I am not a foreigner; I am a U.S. citizen! This was my first address to the audience, but not my last. Out of NAPD became IAPD. EPDA joined forces with IAPD, thus moving Europe and North America closer together. I still feel honored that I was trusted with writing the first bylaws for EPDA, which did not exist at that time. I am proud having been part of IAPD and EPDA, serving on both boards and so having been able to contribute a bit to the evolution of these associations.
For me there has been tremendous value and personal benefit getting involved in EPDA and IAPD. Getting involved in IAPD or EPDA gives you the unique opportunity to grow intellectually, ethically, in business and foremost to get rid of the tunnel vision focusing only on your own company, local needs, national challenges and global opportunities. Besides the advantages for your businesses, the real payback you get out of participating are the many friendships between people who have polymers circulating in their veins. Believe me: the more you put in the more you get out! Get active! Do not miss the opportunity to be part of those who make the change!
My professional paths lead me now to new frontiers. My primary focus will be on environmental projects in water management and saving, reusing and recycling of resources. Plastics will still be a part of what I will be doing, but with a focus on specialties, international networking as well as mergers and acquisitions.
Although I am now looking forward to new tasks inside and outside of the plastics industry, the most important phase of my business life is ending. I appreciate very much the cordiality you all have shown to me, the many good and vivid discussions, the fun and fellowship we shared and over all the opportunity to work with you.
Thank you for accompanying me during my career!
Nick

Briggs

McCormick

Case

Galbato

Neisen

Lopez

Mazurkiewicz

Suminski
Adam Mellen
Under Schorr’s leadership, SIMONA merged the assets of Laminations, Inc. with SIMONA AMERICA Industries, as well as acquired a third manufacturer, Premier Material Concepts, LLC in 2018 and established a single management structure and operating team for all North American Operations – the SIMONA AMERICA Group.
“It has been a wonderful experience to help lead the SIMONA AMERICA team these past six plus years. I am most proud of the team we have assembled and the resiliency we have demonstrated in good and more difficult times,” said Schorr.
The company has elected Adam Mellen, current chief sales officer for SIMONA AMERICA Group, as CEO effective January 1, 2021.
“I want to especially thank Wolfgang Moyses, Matthias Schoenberg and Michael Schmitz for their support and confidence in me and our team these past years. I am also excited about the leadership that Adam Mellen will bring to his new responsibilities and the creative technical leadership that Dr. Dean Li has always brought to his responsibilities. I wish everyone great success and good health in the future,” said Schorr.
“Larry’s leadership brought the SIMONA AMERICA Group to a new level – we have enjoyed years of profitably growing our plastics business in North America and years of global growth in our aviation business. Larry built up a highly motivated and successful team and as a great leader, he also prepared his succession by grooming Adam to become the new CEO of SIMONA AMERICA Group. I sincerely thank Larry for being an inspiring leader within our global organization and wish him all the best for the future,” said Matthias Schoenberg, CEO of SIMONA AG.
With more than 20 years in thermoplastic sales and management, Mellen served as former director of outside sales at Boltaron Performance Products until being appointed vice president of sales and marketing of SIMONA’s North American operations following the uniting of its subsidiaries in 2014.
“I believe Adam’s strong sales background, knowledge of the business, our customers, our associates, as well as his empathy and management style will serve the company well in the years ahead,” said Schorr.
“Larry has been an incredible mentor and has taught me the importance of patience, humility and generosity in leadership. I’m excited to follow in Larry’s footsteps and lead this excellent team at SIMONA AMERICA Group,” said Mellen. “My mother used to say that you should always leave something in better shape than how you found it, and Larry has done that for all aspects of our businesses, as well as through his encouragement of personal growth for our entire team.”




“Combining the warehouse and operations side of the business took longer due to the large inventories and conversion equipment maintained at both locations,” said Tim Cassani, senior regional director for Curbell Plastics, Inc. “Facility upgrades are now complete. The warehouse has been reconfigured to allow for more inventory capacity, and our conversion equipment has been combined along with our operations teams to create a larger more efficient conversion center to fulfill customer requirements.”
Covestro LLC — Specialty Films was recognized as Manufacturer of the Year in its senate district. Covestro was nominated to receive this award by Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) through the Legislature’s Manufacturing Caucus.
The materials manufactured at Covestro are used in everyday products spanning multiple industries, including automotive, electronics, packaging and healthcare. Because of their crucial role in producing products to protect frontline health care workers, such as face shield material and protective gowns, Covestro has remained open as an essential business throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Everyone has had to make a lot of changes and sacrifices as a result of the pandemic so the timing of this award is particularly special. Our employees deserve to be recognized for how well they’ve adapted during these challenging times and I’m proud to accept the award on their behalf,” said Jim Boehm, the general manager of specialty films at Covestro.
Covestro employs more than 180 people in the company’s South Deerfield, MA, USA location and is a 24/7 operation. In addition to the work done by Covestro’s employees in making health care materials, Covestro’s employees are also passionate about giving back to the surrounding community. Covestro provides employees with 16 hours of paid time for community service and many are active with the United Way of Franklin County. Additionally, Covestro partners with UMass Amherst, the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Workforce Board and Greenfield Community College to recruit workers and keep jobs in the Connecticut River Valley region.
Arkema Inc. has climbed to 11th place in the Wall Street Journal’s ranking of the 100 most sustainably managed companies, in recognition of its ability to create value over the long term. The company has the top spot in the chemical sector. In ranking the 165 global companies from the 5,500 on the shortlist, Wall Street Journal analysts evaluated four areas: business model and innovation capacity, environment, social capital (external social and product issues) and human capital (employee and workplace issues).
“We are particularly proud of this recognition which acknowledges our proactive and ambitious approach to corporate social responsibility since Arkema’s creation. Companies today are poised to play a major role in the ecological transition and the evolution of society: our mission as a chemical manufacturer is more than ever to engage in leveraging our expertise and innovation in materials science to contribute to the transition to a more sustainable world. Being the leading chemical manufacturer in this ranking bears testimony to the merits of our societal commitment, the real foundation of our development strategy,” stated Thierry Le Hénaff, Chairman and CEO of Arkema.

“We are excited and grateful to have the Empire Plastics, Inc. family join ours,” said Tyler Booth, president of Piedmont Plastics. “This part of the country is a natural extension of our growing branch network and we feel that Empire Plastics is a great fit both culturally and strategically.”
“We are eager to have Empire Plastics join the Piedmont Plastics organization,” said Doug Edwards. “We look forward to continuing to serve our customers and provide them with the excellent products and services they’ve grown to expect from us over the years.”
AmeriLux International LLC has acquired Shape Products. Shape Products, located in Menomonie, WI, USA, manufactures standard window wells, egress window wells and window well covers. Shape Products also has expertise in thermoforming and compression molding. The acquisition was finalized on August 1, 2020, expanding AmeriLux International’s product offerings and further enforces the De Pere, WI, USA company’s win-win philosophy for all stakeholders.
“I’m a firm believer in the magic of momentum,” said AmeriLux CEO Kurt Voss. “The strategic acquisition of Shape Products continues our strong growth trajectory since starting from scratch in 2004. By integrating our teams and incorporating these products and services into our existing portfolio, we can bring even more value to our customers and continue to build a sustainable enterprise.” Along with AmeriLux International’s additional transportation and logistics entities, the acquisition of Shape Products means AmeriLux will employ a total of 135 employees.
Steve Zagami
“We are excited to add two new members to our team, specializing in technical specification to OEMs and plastics processors in the Midwest and New England markets,” says Alicia Spence, vice president of CartierWilson, LLC. “This is a strategic move to increase our support to the thermoforming community, as well as our bandwidth for OEM development. We look forward to Steve and Mike continuing CartierWilson’s emphasis on product and process knowledge, while also providing industry leading service and expertise to both our principals and distribution partners.”
“Our customers demand our sales team be able to offer a broad range of thermoplastic solutions specific to their application needs,” says Eric Short, vice president and general manager of SIMONA PMC. “We are excited to offer this sales channel synergy to our customer base.”




Beeman

Madonna

John was born on January 21, 1958. He graduated from New Toronto Secondary School and worked in the family business, J.J. Downs Industrial Plastics Inc., for more than 40 years. John was loving and generous to his family and friends and had a great passion for hockey and lacrosse.
For visitation and funeral details, please visit https://hoglefuneralhomes.com/. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Toronto General & Western Foundation, Movement Disorders Research Fund: http://tgwhf.ca.
