Promoting and Growing In-Mold Decorating and Labeling
In September, the IMDA gathered with brand owners, label printers, resin suppliers, injection molders and others involved in the decorating of plastic parts in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the Plastic Product Decorating Summit. IMDA’s Board of Directors held a meeting prior to the start of the event, and among the typical activities related to association management, there was a discussion about the advantages that come with membership.
The industry leaders in the room talked about the immediate credibility members gain as part of the association, with their expertise in IML, IMD and IME promoted in a variety of venues. Someone mentioned the resources that IMDA can provide, such as connecting members who need help with production challenges. All agreed that promoting and growing the use of in-mold processes is what the association does best. And, of course, everyone around the table pointed to the “networking.”
“Networking” isn’t easily defined, and it certainly isn’t easily quantified on a company’s bottom-line financials. However, its importance can’t be underestimated when creating in-mold labeled or decorating products. One board member laid down an industry truth that is at the core of association membership when he said:
“The process of in-mold requires that we all play together.”
Every link in the IML/IMD supply chain must work with the others – plan and communicate and adapt during the production process – to be unbreakable. IMDA members turn to each other time and time again to find resources for equipment, tooling and automation; resins, films, inks and coatings, label printers and production partners.
Join us and see for yourself the benefits of working with IMDA to expand your company’s profile as an in-mold expert.
Dianna
785.215.8635
dianna@imdassociation.com
Inland Packaging’s Boehlke Joins IMDA Board
The IMDA Board of Directors has added Adam Boehlke, IML product growth manager, Inland Packaging, to its ranks. Boehlke has had a 16-year career with Inland Packaging, with his primary focus being on IML growth and development through sales and sales management roles, as well as on the procurement side through category management of raw materials and suppliers. He is an advocate for the importance of partnership throughout all channels of IML, from raw material suppliers, mold makers and molding equipment OEMs to automation providers, printers and molders.
IMDA Welcomes New Members
The In-Mold Decorating Association (IMDA) has welcomed three new members to the organization that includes molders, label printers, material suppliers and equipment manufacturers that are committed to the development and growth of in-mold decorating products, technologies and markets.
Bemis Manufacturing Co. is a family-owned business established in 1901. Headquartered in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, the company manufactures products under its own brands and provides expertise to others, including private-label products and component parts for industries that range from consumer and commercial markets to medical and industrial markets worldwide.
Purdue University Northwest offers a bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering Technology. This program combines mechanical design, manufacturing and electrical control within a foundational context of packaging machinery. Students benefit from internships offered by local packaging industries and become very mobile, with career opportunities available nationwide.
Virginia Tech Institute and State University offers an undergraduate program in Packaging Systems and Design that intersects design, science, engineering and business. Students learn to design packaging solutions that are attractive to the customer, effectively protect and preserve the product, and have a low environmental impact. Hands-on and industry-sponsored design projects are built into most packaging classes to tie their curriculums to the real world.
