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RotoPlas Trade Show and ARM International Annual Meeting, 18-21 September 2005 Rotoplas Attendees: 807 (including exhibitors) Rotoplas Exhibitors: 94 Seminar Attendees: 125 ARMI Conference Attendees: 375 (inc. Spouses) Two things stood out for me this year: (1) The turnout for Rotoplas was actually disappointing - the final 807 attendance figure actually included at least 100 exhibitors manning the booths. I had expected to see a much larger contingent of molder members not only from the US but also from overseas. Traffic was lighter than most suppliers would have liked and there were some comments that little new business was being done. (2) It clearly was a North American show - 80% of the attendees and 90% of the exhibitors were from North America. Fewer visitors from Europe compared to previous shows were in attendance and even worldwide attendance was relatively low. A combination of factors may have led to this, including:
To be fair there were some new items at the show (see below) but it was mostly business as usual with no real show stopper (your humble correspondent's opinion, of course). One supplier characterized it as 'playing defense' to make sure that their current customers saw them but with no real opportunities for 'offense'. Question: Does this change in the character of the show mean that ARMI should accept that they are not a 'world organization' but primarily a North American group that is often attractive to overseas members as a source of the best in technology or the only option for those with no local association to join? Molder member numbers have been recovering overall but appear to have leveled off or dropped in the US; the overall numbers appear to have been compensated for by discounted rates for overseas members. Encouraging new associations in India and South America is important and a fantastic opportunity for those groups but should it be the main focus of ARM in Chicago? What about the estimated 200+ molders in North America that are not members of ARM? If the base support for ARM erodes in the US, events such as Rotoplas may not even take place again as major suppliers consider their best methods for reaching molders. At best, the suppliers have made their support for a three year interval emphatically clear. ARM activities in India and South America certainly make sense for molders there to gain low cost access to ARM materials and information and they are enthusiastically participating. Are these efforts a major distraction for ARM staff, however? Do discount members at $300 membership fees improve ARM's overall financial position? There are somewhere between 40 and 80 molders in California - do we have plans for a Californian Division? California is clearly a different group with different needs from the rest of the country and deserve the attention afforded other groups. A strong ARM is essential to our industry and will always be attractive for companies to join if they feel that it represents the best and the brightest in people and developments. However, it can only be strong if it appeals to it's local constituency and focuses on value for it's membership. That value is defined not only in monetary terms but also in clear actions to promote the industry and support molders. Three possible suggestions for ARM:
Alright, alright, I'll stop - I'm sure I'm in enough trouble already. Rotoplas Show A few of the usual suspects at the show...
The Boys from Belfast - QUB represented well by Mark2
Newcomers Rimrock had some interesting ideas on fixtureless routers and laser scanning of parts.
Polimeros Mexicanos will be holding their 2nd South American Congress in Cancun at the start of February. See Events for details.
Milwaukee's award-winning Oostburg cheerleaders.
Now this was cool. Not only had Reduction added some great new features to their grinder but the machine actually looked amazing - can I get one in metallic blue?
Graphics for PVC and nylon from MIG.
Electro-shock victim (you had to be there to see John Steele's presentation) Kathy Skaggs recovering at her booth.
She proves she loves those sparks - demonstrating ICO's semi-conductive polyethylene.
Ferry Industries are always a big supporter of ARMI and the Rotoplas shows. Here they are front and center as Terry Gillian entertains the folks.
Horacio Lobo and Horacio Lobo showing their new molding machine from Mexico.
Nice use of polystyrene beads to demonstrate airflow in the oven.
This was new - Dirk Yerian of Innovex, Inc. demonstrated a conductive coating system that can be used to heat mold surfaces. Look forward to seeing it in action.
Indian machinery makers were well represented at the show - Fixopan has an impressive list of machines and ancillary equipment on offer.
The Powder King, Jim Hummel, shows off the latest new features on their grinding equipment including disposable blades (below)
Charlie Kroeger of Littleford shows the arm construction of one of their new machines.
Luca Sacchi of Polivinil s.r.l, Italy, with Gustavo Kaswalder of Decoglass from Venezuela.
Reinhardt India is another well established and forward thinking Indian machine making company. Shivinder and Dhanu are regulars at events all over the world.
Ray Pachuta of DeStaCo showing their high temperature pneumatic clamping systems.
Even the boss was out on the floor - CEO of ARMI, Jeff Arnold, with the boys from Romotech.
The Cole twins were on good form - their two-piece quick change system for molds (below) was interesting.
There were a few molders exhibiting at the show - Mike Kaminski from the Little Tikes custom-molding wing, HF Manufacturing.
That good-looking chick from Pennsylvania again - this time charming the Scotsman Allan Joyce of Balmoral Group (or was it the other way round?)
Raja Mathur also gave a presentation on the equipment offered by MPlast in India during the ARMI Conference.
Even the Rotational Molding Division of SPE had a nice booth.
Eduardo Collard and Carlos Garcia of Logos offer a new in-mold graphic system - looks good. Awards Dinner The Annual conference offers the chance for the industry to recognize companies and individuals who have contributed over the years.
Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) President, Len Czuba, presented the CEO of ARMI, Jeff Arnold, with a plaque and letter of thanks for the cooperation between the Rotational Molding Division of SPE and ARMI in staging the TOPCON event in parallel with Rotoplas - out-going ARMI President, Joe Strzegowski and RMD Chairman, Paul Nugent look on.
Charles Frederick was the CEO of ARM from almost it's inception until his retirement three years ago. This was the first time that he had returned to an ARMI event since then and it was great to see the audience give him a standing ovation as he was introduced.
The real treat for me was that I received the Charles D. Frederick Distinguished Service Award from none other than Charles D. Frederick himself as incoming President Mike Dorsey presided. Thanks for taking the time to make this one special Charles.
Forgotten hero (private joke) Steve Osborne was the other recipient of the Charles D. Frederick Distinguished Service Award. Steve and his company Trilogy Plastics have been long-time supporters of ARMI.
The big event of the night, of course, is introducing the new inductees into the Hall of Fame. Terry Gillian of Ferry Industries recounted his more than 30 years service in the industry in an emotional speech that almost drew tears on a couple of occasions. Fantastic award and well deserved!
And what better way to receive it than in front of all the Hall of Fame Inductees who were in attendance. Talk about a welcoming line-up!
Ravi Mehra of Norstar Molds International was the other recipient of the Hall of Fame award. His speech was OK but there are three choices that can be used for making an acceptance speech: 1. Thank your wife 2. Say something nice about your wife 3. Acknowledge that you have a wife I think the photographer is giving a hint. No matter what, we still love you Manju!
Terry Gillian and I compare plaques. Sorry for the self-indulgence but this stuff only happens once in a lifetime!
Of course, the night would not be complete without the ARM band. Tom Innis and his guys did a great job once again for their die-hard fans.
She of the angelic voice from Texas, Jennifer Gibson, with that old crooner from Arizona, Scott Saxman.
The Rockettes just seem to get better with age....although they might want to take a break next year?
Here's a shot that sums it all up. ARM conferences are always about the people you meet there and the friendships that develop over the years. The Cali's are great people and I for one am always happier about our world knowing that there are people like John in it. Good catching up and hope to see you in Cancun. |
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