PMM Insight: A Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing Podcast

How Industry 4.0 will improve manufacturing: Mo Abuali, Wipfli

A survey of more than 300 manufacturers found that 99 percent say they plan to increase spending in technology and Industry 4.0 in 2024. At the same time, the cost of sensors, hardware and computing services are coming down.
In this episode of PMM Insight, Mo Abuali, digital director for manufacturing, retail and distribution at Wipfli LLP, told Editor Ron Shinn that these two trends have the potential to significantly improve manufacturing.  

10 innovations to check out at NPE: PMM Insight

PMM Editor Ron Shinn has been to every NPE since 1991. In this episode of PMM Insight, he chooses 10 of the 111 Product Innovations featured in our April show preview issue that he's most excited to see. 

Why you need to go to NPE2024: Commentary

Editor Ron Shinn, a veteran of dozens of plastics trade shows, looks forward to NPE2024 in May. It's been six years since the last one, and at the rate technology is advancing, there'll be many revelations to enjoy on the show floor. 

Smart technology for auxiliary equipment

Auxiliary plastics processing equipment such as blenders, dryers and feeders can now collect and analyze data, make production adjustments on the fly, predict maintenance and more. These intelligent upgrades also help processors manage the lack of skilled labor in their plants. Senior reporter Bruce Geiselman spoke with representatives of several major equipment manufacturers to find out how smart technology can help you.

Competing interests threaten Global Plastics Treaty: Commentary

The need to address the plastics pollution problem is universally acknowledged, but progress has been slow and parties are often working at cross-purposes. PMM Editor Ron Shinn gives his perspective on the struggle to find common ground for the sake of the earth.

How private equity is changing the plastics industry, with John Hart, PMCF: PMM In Person

Private equity investors are having an impact on the plastics industry. The results are bigger, more sophisticated plastics companies with deeper pockets that are willing to invest in technology to accelerate growth.
John Hart, managing director of P&M Corporate Finance, speaks with PMM Editor Ron Shinn about the trend.

Hiring slows, but labor shortage in plastics persists: PMM Perspective

Inflation, high interest rates and supply chain disruptions have created uncertainty throughout the economy, but whatever the short-term outlook, one constant is clear: Finding workers will remain a challenge. Senior reporter Karen Hanna looks at the employment outlook for the plastics industry in this episode of PMM Perspective.

Leveraging your data with Kate Brown of Wipfli: PMM In Person

Your manufacturing data is a valuable asset. Find out how to use this information to increase productivity and serve your customers better.

Do we need standards for recyclable bales? PMM Commentary

Every recycler has horror stories about contaminated bales of recyclable materials, and knowing what's in a bale is essential to meet standards for recycled pellets or flake. Transparency in the marketplace would benefit everyone, but there are problems with the model that might actually discourage use of PCR, according to one industry expert. Editor Ron Shinn details the issues in this episode of PMM Insight.

Processors and equipment OEMs look ahead to 2024: PMM Perspective

Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing recently conducted its fifth annual survey of machinery investment plans for the upcoming year. The results, and follow-up interviews with processors, equipment OEMs and plastics industry experts, make the case for "cautious optimism" in 2024. In this episode of PMM Perspective, we look into the crystal ball to see what the year ahead holds for the plastics machinery market.