– Bill Bregar, Plastics News
Naples, FL: Petoskey Plastics was named the 2017 Processor of the Year by Plastics News at the newspaper’s Executive Forum conference held in Naples, FL on March 7, 2018. “We are thrilled to invite them to join the pantheon of outstanding companies that have won our Processor of the Year,” remarked Brennan Lafferty, Vice President & Group Publisher of Plastics News.
A processor is defined as a manufacturer that forms finished plastics parts. For a private or public company or corporate operating division to qualify for the award, they must be engaged in North American plastics processing for at least the past five years.
Plastics News editorial staff then evaluated candidates in the following categories: financial performance, customer relations, quality, technology, employee relations, environmental performance and industry/public service. Petoskey Plastics scored well in all seven categories and was the only finalist to score well in environmental performance. “This is a group award as the evaluation categories touches all aspects of our company. Truly, we are a team!” said Paul Keiswetter, President & CEO. Jason Keiswetter, Executive Vice President, said, “Being named Processor of the Year is a win and great validation that Petoskey Plastics is doing a fabulous job in so many areas.”
An in-touch customer focus helped Petoskey Plastics score well in the customer relations category. “Direct communication is the best way to keep in touch,” explained Jason Keiswetter. Automotive Sales Director Mike Barto stated, “We try to be as accessible as possible, and that goes all the way up to Paul.” One customer reference described Petoskey Plastics as “very, very easy to work with. They will be very forthcoming and resolve the issue 99 percent of the time before you are even aware anything is going on.”
After being named a finalist, Petoskey Plastics hosted Plastics News editor Donald Loepp and senior reporter Bill Bregar at their Hartford City, Indiana plant on January 11th for the final round of the Processor of the Year selection process to show the recycling lines and newest technology. “The giant new wash line… is Petoskey’s single-biggest investment ever and proof that company management and employees want to keep moving forward,” said Bregar.
“Our Processor of the Year believes in people,” said Lafferty. Bregar stated, “Our editorial team believes their Hello & Welcome Book is the best recruiting aid in the plastics industry as well as a useful guide for existing employees and community officials.”
“Our associates put forth so much hard work. They are dedicated to our philosophy of continuous improvement and we are very excited for the opportunity to show them how others in the industry view their efforts. It’s fantastic that we can have such a significant recognition coming home to our business communities of Petoskey and Birmingham, MI, Hartford City, IN and Morristown, TN,” said Jason Keiswetter.
Additional information on the award announcement and Petoskey Plastics can be found in this Plastics News’ article in the March 12, 2018 edition:
Plastics News is a weekly, 46,000-circulation trade newspaper delivering global news to a primarily North American market. Founded by Crain Communications Inc. in Akron, Ohio, in 1989, it covers the business of the global plastics industry.
Petoskey Plastics is an environmentally focused recycler and plastic film, bag and resin manufacturer providing superior products and solutions. Headquartered in Petoskey, Michigan, the company provides products and engineered solutions for a variety of industries including automotive, industrial, institutional, retail, construction and home improvement. Petoskey Plastics has facilities in Michigan, Indiana and Tennessee. Learn more at www.petoskeyplastics.com.