The Benefits of Joining Composites and/or Plastics Organizations
September 22, 2015
Written by Garret Carden, Market Analyst and Development Intern at Mar-Bal, Inc. and an Industrial Engineering student (Senior) at West Virginia University (WVU). LinkedIn Profile
Societies and groups of people have been coming together for many years to push a cause or expand their knowledge of a certain subject. The composites and plastics world is no different and the need for new members in these groups and societies is at an all time high. These organizations have been bringing new technology and ideas to the international stage at notable rates.
Groups like The Society of Plastics Engineers ®, The Society of the Plastics Industry ®, and Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) are on the forefront of innovation in this ever expanding goldmine of an industry. These materials make up an almost infinite list of applications, resulting in products that are used in everyone’s daily life. In every electronic device you use, your iPhone, blackberry, iPad, and even your child’s game system uses composite plastic materials. The market for these materials to make the products is projected to increase in the coming years.
The market for these materials is expected to grow at a steady rate in the next several years. For example, the global rail and automotive composites markets growth is expected to increase to a CAGR of 8.5% by 2020 and a CAGR of 8.8% by 2022, respectively. As for plastics, the global market for engineered plastics and automotive plastics will grow at an expected CAGR of 6% by 2020 and a CAGR of 9.5% by 2022 respectively. These growth rates bring the composites/plastics industries great news.
Earlier this year, SPE and SPI have come together to make membership to their organizations free to students. University involvement is key to train the next generation of materials engineers, and organizations are using this to distribute knowledge to these intelligent students. “SPE has always believed that the development of plastics professionals begins the moment they step into the classroom to learn about plastics, but we also know that their development doesn’t end with graduation. That’s why our existing student membership option gives students full professional membership benefits and extends into their first year in the workforce,” – CEO Willem De Vos. I have recently become a member of these great societies, and it is easy to join (Follow link to join).
The focus on university students does not stop with the organizations; companies also use it as a pipeline to bring in new talent to their workforce. Many businesses set up a booth at campus career fairs across the country. Other companies choose to sponsor student led projects that are shaping the future of innovation, and potentially exposing new uses for these amazing materials.
Companies large and small sit on these societies’ and organizations board of directors and executive teams, benefiting both parties. The President and CEO of Mar-Bal, Inc., Scott Balogh and his brother, Steven Balogh – Vice-President have always encouraged their employees to take an active role within professional organizations not only to provide leadership to the organization and brand awareness for Mar-Bal but also to gain knowledge and experience from others in the industry. For example, Mar-Bal, Inc. has several colleagues that are active members in organizations like these including Marc Imbrogno – Director of Materials Engineering at Mar-Bal who serves as the Chairman of the SPE Thermoset Division and Ron Poff – Director of Global Marketing and Brands at Mar-Bal who serves alongside Marc as the secretary of the division. In addition, Mar-Bal colleagues have presented numerous technical papers at conferences for SPE, SPI and others driving innovation and knowledge share within the industry.
Membership and involvement bring immeasurable advantages in networking, innovation, and camaraderie in the industry.
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About Mar-Bal, Inc.
Mar-Bal, Inc., headquartered in Chagrin Falls, OH, is a compounder and molder of Thermoset composite products. Since 1970, Mar-Bal has engineered and manufactured quality, customized materials and parts while delivering unmatched client cost-effectiveness through superior customer service and commitment to the total value. Mar-Bal serves the appliance, electrical and industrial marketplaces from their four facilities in North America and Asia Sales Office located in Shanghai, China. Mar-Bal, an ISO 9001:2008 Registered Company, continues to develop innovative products and has a portfolio of brands and proprietary products. www.mar-bal.com.