media release

Date: September 23, 2015
Contact: Carly Rodgers, Marketing and Education Manager, +913.345.1005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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IAPD Announces 2015 Education Circle of Champions Award Recipients

Overland Park, KS — The International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD), the international trade association comprised of companies engaged in the distribution and manufacture of plastic stock shapes and pipe, valves and fittings, has announced the following member companies as the 2015 Education Circle of Champions Award recipients:

Gold Award Recipients

  • Cope Plastics, Inc.
  • Laird Plastics
  • Redwood Plastics Corporation, A Member of Prisma Plastics International Inc.
  • SABIC’s Polymershapes

Bronze Award Recipient

  • IPI Plastics, Inc.

These five companies were selected for their commitment to continuing plastics education and sales training through IAPD’s certificate programs and education resources. They were recognized in a special video presentation during the opening general session of the59th Annual IAPD Convention and Plastics Showcase.

The Education Circle of Champions has three award levels: Gold, Silver and Bronze. The criteria are demanding, so it is significant that four companies achieved the Gold Level and one company achieved the Bronze Level. Three of the five companies are past award recipients. This was the first honor for SABIC’s Polymershapes and IPI Plastics, Inc. “I am pleased with the level of dedication these member companies have shown to performance plastics education and sales training for their employees,” said IAPD Education Committee Chair Stephanie Neugebauer. “By using the offerings of IAPD University, such as the free e-training webinars, certificate programs and convention educational sessions, in conjunction with their internal training programs, it is evident these members value and emphasize continued learning within their organizations.”

“The Education Circle of Champions award recipients this year have demonstrated a strong commitment to furthering their employees’ performance plastics knowledge and sales skills,” said IAPD CEO Susan E. Avery, CAE. “I wholeheartedly believe that continued learning is imperative to the success of not only these IAPD members but the longevity of the performance plastics industry. By recognizing the importance of educating and training their staff, these companies have gained a competitive advantage and should be proud of this recognition.”

This year, the Education Committee eliminated the requirement for member companies to meet a minimum qualification to apply. Previously, applicants needed to have a percentage of employees pass the IAPD Plastics Certificate Program Level I and/or Excellence in Sales Certificate Program Level I exam to be considered for the award. This criterion was adjusted to be more flexible and inclusive of IAPD member companies and their training initiatives.

The committee added two options for companies to earn points:

  • Establishment of a new internship program (headquarter or branch level or companywide). This option can be met at a company where no internship program existed previously.
  • Establishment of relationships with schools/universities and/or conducting university/student outreach to promote the plastics industry.

The eligibility period for the 2016 Education Circle of Champions Award is open from August 1, 2015 through July 31, 2016. To see the full award application and start planning your company’s involvement in education and training today, click here.

About IAPD 
The International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD), established in 1956, brings together distributors, manufacturers, manufacturers' representatives, fabricators, recyclers and service providers in an environment which encourages a free flow of ideas and information that help members build their businesses. Every program and service we provide is designed with the simple goal of helping our members increase profitability. Membership in IAPD is an affordable business investment. IAPD provides training, connections with customers and suppliers and information about developments that impact the industry. What makes IAPD unique is a commitment to educating customers and other key end-users about plastics. In other words, IAPD works with members to build the demand for plastics. Central to this effort is the reinforcement of the value of distribution.

For more information, visit www.iapd.org.

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