PMM Insight: A Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing Podcast

Our 2025 outlook for plastics machinery sales: PMM Insight

The year ahead looks uncertain for many plastics machinery OEMs and processors. Will lower interest rates spur investment in equipment? What effect might tariffs have? What end markets are on the rise?
In this episode of the PMM Insight podcast, editors Ron Shinn, Lynne Sherwin, Bruce Geiselman and Karen Hanna discuss the results of our annual survey and comments from machinery makers about their expectations. 

Trump expectations, Netstal in Mexico, Wasp's large-format 3D printer: Machinery Minutes, Jan. 20, 2025

This week's Machinery Minutes podcast, summarizing three important stories from the plastics machinery world, begins with our take on the story everyone's talking about: the beginning of Donald Trump's second term and what it might mean for the industry.
We also report on Netstal's new subsidiary in Mexico, following a trend among injection molding OEMs, and a large-format 3D printer from Wasp that was designed for boat builders.
Join us every Monday for Machinery Minutes, and be sure to subscribe.

Public education makes a city recycling program profitable: PMM Insight

The city of Akron, Ohio, implemented the Recycle Right public education program to curb costly contamination in the recycling stream. It's been so successful, it cut nearly $200,000 in costs and is now turning a profit, setting an example that other municipalities should notice.
PMM editors Ron Shinn and Lynne Sherwin, who both live in Akron, have seen its success from their own front yards, and discuss it in this episode of PMM Insight.

Machinery outlook for 2025, Proco's cobot spinoff, Geiss thermoformer: Machinery Minutes, Jan. 13, 2025

In this episode of Machinery Minutes, learn about the results of our annual survey of processors' machinery investment plans, and what OEMs anticipate for the market in 2025. 
You'll also hear about a new cobot-centric spinoff business of blow molding automation provider Proco Machinery, and an upgraded control system for the Geiss T11 thermoforming machine.

What's next for the Global Plastics Treaty, and what if it fails? PMM Insight

The latest round of talks to establish an international treaty on the use and disposal of plastics ended in December with the sides still far apart.
Another session is planned for 2025, but who's the biggest loser if no agreement is reached? The plastics industry, says Editor Ron Shinn in this PMM Insight commentary. 

Expansion at W&H, cybersecurity and PLASTICS' young leaders: Machinery Minutes, Jan. 6, 2025

On today's Machinery Minutes podcast, Senior Reporter Bruce Geiselman briefs you on an expansion at Windmöller & Hölscher's North American headquarters in Rhode Island; advice on ransomware remediation from the CEO of OnSecurity, as hackers ramp up their use of artificial intelligence; and the 10th anniversary of Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP), a program for young professionals in the Plastics Industry Association.

The many benefits of lean; Flexiv upgrades programming; looking back at 2024: Machinery Minutes, Dec. 30, 2024

In this episode, Senior Reporter Bruce Geiselman looks at the benefits of lean beyond sustainability gains; an upgraded robotic programming system from Flexiv; and some of our most popular features from 2024. 

Embracing lean can have green benefits: PMM Insight

For her latest series on lean manufacturing and how it's practiced in the plastics industry, Senior Reporter Karen Hanna looked at a lesser-known benefit of the philosophy: sustainability improvements. Lean's focus on eliminating waste and boosting efficiency can lead to savings in resin, energy and scrap. 
In this episode of PMM Insight, Karen discusses the series with Editor Ron Shinn.

A visit to Engel; new cobot conference; large-part printer from Formlabs: Machinery Minutes

On this week's episode of the Machinery Minutes podcast, you'll hear about PMM's visit to Engel's North American headquarters and what their leaders have to say about the secrets to the company's success.
You'll also learn about a new large-part printer from Formlabs, and the inaugural Collaborate North America, a trade show and conference centered around cobots.

Lean leads to sustainability; Jim Healy retires; software tracks recycling data: Machinery Minutes, Dec. 16, 2024

In this week's episode of our Machinery Minutes podcast, you'll hear about a molding shop that implemented lean practices and discovered a side benefit: better sustainability.
We also wish Jim Healy of Sepro North America well as he heads into retirement, and tell you about Diversys, which has a software program to keep track of your recycling data so you can meet EPR or company goals.