The plastics industry is the third largest manufacturing industry in the United States, operates 17,648 facilities in every state and provides nearly $374 billion in annual shipments. We use high-tech machines and innovative tools to transform raw materials into a whole lot of finished goods for a myriad of end markets. And while NPE2009 has truly been an “all-industry event” with eight co-located events and a variety of exhibitors and attendees with many different interests, the backbone of the event and the stars of show are still the amazing machines and the way they churn out product right on the show floor.

“Over and over during NPE week, exhibitors and attendees rated NPE2009 a success as a showplace for innovation, new technology and a marketplace for doing business,” said SPI President Bill Carteaux on the last day of the show. He cited reports from exhibitors detailing large transactions for processing equipment systems closed right on the exhibit floor.

From blowmolding, injection molding and extrusion machines to all manner of robots, auxiliary equipment and components — it’s obvious that we have a fascination for these shiny, new mechanical marvels and what they can do. It is evident as you walk the show aisles and notice small crowds of people standing for several minutes at a time mesmerized as they stare at the repeated rhythms and smooth efficiency of the moving parts. The video above depicts the attraction of plastics machinery better than I can describe it.

Design involves problem-solving and creativity. The American Heritage Dictionary defines design as: “To conceive or fashion in the mind; invent,” and “To formulate a plan.” It also means that someone not only had to conceive of all the amazing products, tools and “things” that we take for granted every day, but also had to collaborate with engineers and manufacturers to ensure that the final deliverable could function effectively, safely and be reproduced at a reasonable cost. Judging by the innovations that I’ve seen at NPE2009, the plastics industry does design very well.

Much of the content of NPE2009 is of direct interest to design engineers and anyone else involved in product design and development. An increased emphasis on plastics design at NPE2009 came about because SPI has expanded the trade show far beyond its traditional core. The first International Plastics Design Competition (IPDC) was concluded last night with awards handed out in 15 categories, including “The People’s Choice Award, which attracted 10,203 online votes at the IPDC website. Here is a list of all the winners, but better yet, visit the Winner’s Galley on the IPDC web site to see and read more about the winning product entries. If you are at NPE, go see all the entrants up close — they are still on display in the West Hall of McCormick Place.

ANTEC 2009, the Society of Plastics Engineers’ massive conference, is co-located at NPE this year and has more than 750 original peer-reviewed presentations, including multi-paper sessions on product design and development, mold design and moldmaking.

Also of note to those interested in product design and development is the inaugural Time Compression Expo, co-located with NPE2009 and produced by Gardner Publications. “Time compression” means cutting time to market by accelerating product development through the use of new design, software, prototyping and direct manufacturing techniques. Another co-located event produced by Gardner is the MoldMaking Expo, which is devoted to technologies and strategies in mold design, moldmaking and rapid manufacturing.

Not to be overlooked are the hundreds of NPE2009 exhibiting companies that supply design engineering, tool design and moldmakingproducts and services; raw materials that deliver new customer values ranging from molded-in functionalities to decorative effects and shelf appeal; fabricating systems that extend product development capabilities by increasing design freedom and expanding the scope for parts consolidation and light-weighting; and custom processors who supply full service, from design to molding to final assembly.

Stroll through every hall at NPE2009 and you will find innovative products and technologies that show just how critical plastics are to finding solutions to environmental issues and making the world more sustainable. Resource conservation, renewable resources, recycling, degradability, solid waste source reduction, energy efficiency, elimination of pollutants, shrinking carbon footprints—virtually every visitor at NPE2009 now has a vital interest in one or more of these goals. Many exhibitors offer at least one technology to help achieve them, as do a wide range of conference presenters. If there is a central theme for NPE2009, it’s sustainability.

For example, the surge in growth of bioplastics — materials that are biodegradable and derived from corn, castor beans, soybeans, potatoes, tapioca, and other renewable resources – are evident throughout the show floor. Thirty-eight exhibitors offer bioplastics-related technology, from resins to specially designed additives and machinery to processed goods, and there are well over 50 conference presentations on the subject.

Plastics’ role in energy efficiency and generating new sources of energy are also well-represented at NPE2009. Fuel savings are the advantage cited for new materials and processing methods that yield lightweight or more compact products that reduce gasoline consumption. In addition, alternate energy sources increasingly require plastics as essential materials of design, and a number of NPE2009 exhibitors are spotlighting the role of their products in solar energy, lithium-ion batteries for electric-drive cars, and wind energy systems.

Exhibitors are also doing their part by recycling scrap generated at NPE as part of the NPE2009 Recycling Program. The huge bins filled with materials waiting to be recycled at the NPE2009 Recycling Center – right in the middle of the show floor in South Hall — are a testament to the effort. From 46 acres of carpet to 100,000 attendee badge holders and more, SPI has collaborated with RTi, Freeman, Maine Plastics, EcoEducators and other partners to expand the NPE2009 recycling program beyond the scrap from the show floor.

SPI means business – and the plastics industry trade association’s vast array of programs are on full display this week at NPE2009! Of course, SPI is the producer of the entire trade show and conference, but our own distinct services and expertise can be experienced throughout the show floor and meeting rooms of McCormick Place.

From our Government Relations team’s Policy Makers’ Coffee and the International Plastics Design Competition hosted by SPI’s Alliance of Plastics Processors to our knowledgeable staff working at specialty pavilions devoted to Emerging Technologies, Fluoropolymers, New Technologies, Thermoforming and more, SPI’s presence is everywhere at NPE. In addition, SPI’s Business of Plastics conference offers specialized educational tracks that focus on the business side of plastics: global economic trends, sustainability, marketing, regulatory compliance and more.

SPI President Bill Carteaux keeps up an incredibly busy pace at NPE2009, but he checked-in long enough to deliver a powerful presentation to 400 plastics industry professionals at the SPI President’s Lunch on Monday afternoon. His speech — which began with a view of the current economic “State of the U.S. Plastics Industry” and concluded with a call for a new dialogue between the our industry and consumers – can be viewed in full here.

If your company is an SPI member company already, be sure to visit the SPI Member Lounge located in room S401B. This is a place where SPI members can use a conference room for a meeting, grab a refreshment or just relax and escape from the NPE hustle and bustle for a little while.

Networking. Knowledge. Resources. Participation. Influence. SPI provides it all at NPE2009. If you are at NPE and have questions about SPI membership or anything concerning our association (or just want to play skee ball!), visit the SPI Pavilion in the center of the Grand Concourse. Look for the big blue-banded ring suspended in the air just outside the entrance to the North Hall.

Hello again from the show floor of McCormick Place!

What was different about yesterday? The sound of the plastics machinery firing up and popping out product at an amazing rate! I don’t think Lucy and Ethel would fare to well against all this stuff.  I enjoyed seeing some of the machines in action, being tested for next week’s festivities. Bottle caps, bottles, film, golf tees and more – all being made at NPE 2009!

I also saw exhibitors still getting their equipment into place, trucks still making deliveries and, of course, hundreds of forklifts still flying around the buildings at “top speed.” (How fast can you really go when you are hauling 50,000 lbs?).

There’s still more to do on the management side, but as you can see from the photos, things are rapidly getting to where they need to be. Once Director of Trade Show Operations AJ Janosko orders an additional 723 signs, we will have it covered.  I tell ya, the graphics really pop!

If you are in the plastics industry, and you are not coming to the show, please have someone drive you to a doctor to get your head checked. It is a “must-see” and “must-experience” event.

I hope my reports haver been able to allow you to experience this past week of move-in  and set-up vicariously. Reporting live from Chicago, I am Expo Gene on the scene!

You may not know this, but NPE2009 is one of only about 35 trade shows being held in the United States this year that was chosen to participate in the Department of Commerce’s International Buyer Program. This honor bestows a number of benefits:

• First, U.S. Commercial Specialists located in dozens of countries have been recruiting overseas buyers to attend NPE2009.
• Second, as noted earlier on the NPE blog, a number of those Commercial Specialists will be escorting their delegations to NPE2009 and will be available for one-on-one meetings with U.S. exhibitors to discuss current market situations, export issues relevant to your firm and export opportunities in their markets. Be sure to register for these Showtime appointments.
• Third, even if they are not able to attend NPE2009, Commercial Specialists in approximately 60 countries have worked to prepare market reports that will be included on a CD that the Department of Commerce will distribute to U.S. exhibitors at the show.

And the best bit is that all of these services are provided free of charge.

If that was not enough, the International Trade Center, which is co-sponsored by SPI and the Commercial Services division of the Department of Commerce, will be hosting a number of events to promote plastics trade between the United States and the rest of the world:

Latin-America Networking Lunch
Location:  S102B-D
Date:   Tuesday, June 23
Time:  1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

This event is being held in conjunction with Seminarios Plástico and will feature a panel of U.S. Commercial Service Specialists from Latin-America who will provide a brief overview of market conditions and export opportunities in their respective countries.  Following this presentation, attendees will be able to mingle with U.S. exhibitors interested in exporting to this region and guests from Latin-American countries.

Like all of the events being hosted by the International Trade Center, there is no charge to participate in this luncheon. However, space in the ballroom is limited, so only those with tickets will be admitted. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at the International Trade Center (ITC) located in Room S100C in the South Hall. So please stop by the ITC to pick up your ticket.

International Reception and Plastics Design Competition Awards Ceremony
Location:  West Ballroom
Date:   Wednesday, June 24
Time:  5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

SPI invites all exhibitors and international attendees to the International Reception (5:00 – 6:30 p.m.). The reception will be immediately followed by the International Plastics Design Competition Awards Ceremony (6:30 – 8:00 p.m.). Click on the link above to obtain additional information concerning these events.

Asia Networking Reception
Location:  The International Trade Center (S100C)
Date:   Thursday, June 25
Time:  3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Finally, the ITC invites all U.S. exhibitors and attendees from Asia to the Asia Networking reception. As SPI’s Senior Director, International Trade and Trade Counsel, I will begin the reception by providing a brief overview of market conditions in this region and export trends. In addition, U.S. Commercial Service Specialists from the region will be on hand to provide additional market insight and assistance. So come by the ITC to grab a drink and take advantage of this opportunity to meet with new and existing colleagues and business partners from Asia.

Outside of these events, the ITC will be staffed and equipped to assist you with your international trade questions and to promote business. Staff at the ITC will include representatives from SPI, U.S. Commercial Service Specialists and interpreters for several languages. International telephone service, computer stations, a fax machine, three meeting rooms that can be booked on a first-come, first-served basis and tea/coffee service and light snacks complete the package.

We look forward to welcoming you to the ITC!

Good morning once again from Chicago!

The move-in for NPE2009 has definitely reached a new level of momentum. In addition to the larger booths, Freeman (our fantastic general contractor for the show) was able to pepper the place with some 8’ drape and side-rail (yes, people still do use this stuff) for the inline booths. I must say it is a little unusual to see a dozen big rigs barreling towards a freestanding curtain! If I close my eyes, I can almost hear the spotters yelling “Olé!” as the trucks rush by.  All we need now is for a rigger to dive out from behind a 10 x 10 and stop a truck dead in its tracks with an oversized torque wrench!

The halls are really getting packed with exhibitors. I think I heard “Wow” in about six languages today! In addition to the equipment, there must be 6.26 million crates (probably more, but I lost count) surrounding the booths. They look like wooden soldiers guarding a castle. One exhibitor told me, “My booth is a palace, baby!”

Outside of the halls, the NPE 2009 Bookstore, the SPI Pavilion and our other feature attractions are almost complete. Today I saw the Technology Theater, as well as the Emerging Technologies, Fluoropolymer, Thermoforming, Compressed Air, North American Moldmakers and TPE Elastomer Pavilions come to life in the West Hall.

I’m wearing a pedometer (one has been given to every SPI staff member at NPE) and it indicates that I have logged more than 21 miles during my four days in Chicago. As I travel the halls, I am excited that so many exhibitors want me to capture photos of their booths and equipment and post them online here for the world to see.  So I will continue to document this historic event, and update you all on my experiences. Please follow along!

Reporting live from the scene, I’m Expo Gene!

Good morning:

Yesterday was a busy day of move-in at NPE 2009.  Trucks kept arriving. Banners and signs continued to go up in the lobbies, aisle signs were hung, there’s a plethora of flatbeds heading into South and North Halls of McCormick Place and some advance truss placement and electrical drops over in the West Hall.

The registration area is being built, but what’s most important on the punch list?  My office in McCormick Place, of course! It is now operational and I can send you this report from my computer.  I hope you have been following some of the set-up activities and goings on here on “In the Hopper. ”

Be on the lookout for my next installment. Reporting live from the scene, this is Expo Gene!

Months ago I posted some comments about a very unusual motorcycle to be shown at NPE2009 by Aaron Equipment company–a motorcycle made from plastics equipment parts. Well, chopper fans should get out their autograph books, according to this report just in from the company’s Ryan Gervais:

Paul Teutul Sr. from the hit T.V. show American Chopper will make a personal appearance at Aaron Equipment Company’s Booth #N83031.

The “Aaron Bike” was custom built by the Teutel family on a recent episode of American Chopper and is currently in syndication. Many of the components used in the build were inspired by the Process Equipment that Aaron buys, sells, and trades.

This year NPE2009 is not only the biggest trade show in Chicago but probably the heaviest show to be mounted anywhere in the U.S.A. We’re talking 20 million pounds of freight coming into McCormick Place, much of it in the form of big machines. No wonder move-in has been under way for days. In SPI’s blog “In the Hopper,” you can see photos of the move-in.