hen I was asked to serve as IAPD president, someone noted that I would be only the third manufacturer in the association’s history to hold this role. The first was Pat Foose, previously of Harvel Plastics (now with GEHR Plastics USA), a long time ago, back when connecting to the internet still made a distinctive dial-up sound. That detail stuck with me, not because it makes me feel special, but because it highlights an opportunity.

Manufacturers have long been part of IAPD’s backbone. We help fund the association and its convention, fuel the distribution channel and bring products, innovation and capabilities that strengthen the entire performance plastics supply chain. Yet for years, many manufacturers have stood politely at the edge of the room, unsure whether we are equals or simply vendors.

I want to state it clearly: We are critical partners in the distribution supply chain and full members of the association. This year, I aim to make that clearer.

As I meet with members, review membership studies and gather feedback, the message is consistent: Manufacturers bring value and receive value. When we engage deeply, the entire association benefits.

We will explore why this matters, what the data shows and how manufacturers can get the most from IAPD.

Let’s start with the area where IAPD has made some of the biggest strides in recent years. Advocacy.

IAPD’s government relations program has made significant strides. Participation has risen, with government affairs engagement reaching 21% in 2024. Manufacturers have driven much of that increase.

Why does this matter? Manufacturers need consistent legislative policies, predictable regulations and a level playing field. We design materials for durability, sustainability and long-term performance. When our sector is misunderstood or misclassified, it affects supply chains and customer demand.

When you participate in Washington fly-ins or other advocacy efforts, you represent not just your company but the future of the performance plastics industry. Legislators take notice when suppliers show up. We represent jobs, capital investments and innovation.

Manufacturers can shape policies on recycled content mandates, recycling technologies, microplastics regulations and broader sustainability discussions. The association needs your voice to succeed.

Ask IAPD members why they join, and relationships top the list, in surveys, focus groups and hallway conversations.

A 2025 six-month study of member interviews, cross-tabulated with seven years of exit interviews, engagement trends and input from more than 60 volunteer leaders at the 2025 Leadership Development Conference Membership Relevance Discovery Workshop, confirmed this: Relationships drive engagement across all member segments.

For manufacturers, the value is direct: Access to distributor partners is a primary reason we join, exhibit, sponsor and participate.

Manufacturers often tell me their biggest concern about the convention is simple. They want to see more distributors in attendance. I understand that. When you are making a significant investment in attending, exhibiting, sponsoring or sending a team, you want strong opportunities for connection.

Yet smaller distributors and fabricators (those under $49.9 million in revenue) frequently report struggling to get meaningful face time with manufacturers in private supplier meeting rooms or on the trade show floor. These companies have substantial fabrication, machining and technical capabilities. They solve customer problems daily and drive material demand across the channel.

Independent distributors and fabricators remain essential to channel growth. Their innovation, agility and customer proximity expand markets and shape applications. When they seek greater manufacturer access, they want to strengthen relationships.

Manufacturers who engage directly gain loyalty, informed partners and better insight into emerging needs. Distributors gain direct supplier access. The association gains a more interconnected membership.

Your presence at convention matters. Not just for scheduled meetings, but for building ties with companies driving industry growth.

Performance plastics thrives on engineering, chemistry and innovation. Most of us enjoy learning from one another, whether about process improvements, sustainability successes, supply chain strategies or workforce ideas. Manufacturers lead much of this knowledge exchange.

Our membership studies showed that larger distributors are looking for more thought leadership and macro trends from suppliers. They want visibility into what is driving the market, what innovations are coming next and how sustainability is evolving.

Similarly, private equity backed manufacturers are pushing hard for measurable ROI, benchmarking and competitive intelligence.

Those companies want fast, clear business value from industry engagement.

That tells us something important. Manufacturers are not just participants. We are teachers. We are partners. Our expertise is a core part of IAPD’s value proposition.

Workforce issues affect everyone, from large manufacturers to small distributors. Attracting, retaining and training talent ranks high in nearly every survey and workshop.

Manufacturers seek better recruiting tools, greater industry visibility, early-career development programs and connections to emerging leaders.

IAPD is advancing here with the Careers in Performance Plastics landing page, an external marketing campaign, the Women in Plastics Leadership Program and expanded GenerationNext support. These initiatives strengthen the entire channel.

IAPD is recognized as the trusted voice of the performance plastics industry. Membership signals commitment to quality, ethics, sustainability, advocacy and leadership.

Manufacturers value this alignment. It demonstrates responsible growth and positions products as advanced materials for critical applications worldwide.

Credibility is earned, and IAPD helps reinforce it.

As president, here is my message:

Manufacturers are essential to this association. Not in the background. Not on the sidelines. Fully part of the leadership fabric of IAPD.

Whether you attend convention, join a task force, participate in advocacy or contribute technical expertise, your involvement changes the experience for everyone.

Manufacturers offer unique perspectives on policy, sustainability, workforce development and supply chain strategy.

From channel access and visibility to advocacy wins. We are refining engagement dashboards and ROI tools to make this value clearer.

This year, I aim to achieve three goals for manufacturers:

Pat Foose was the first manufacturer to serve as IAPD president many years ago, followed later by Deborah Ragsdale of Polymer Industries. They proved manufacturers committed to the distribution supply chain belong in leadership.

Today’s performance plastics industry is more sophisticated, essential and global than ever, and manufacturers drive much of that progress.

My goal is to ensure every manufacturer, large or small, privately held, PE-backed, domestic or international, sees IAPD as a strategic partner for business growth, channel strength, industry influence and building the future of performance plastics.

I am proud to serve as your president and to represent the manufacturer community.