media release

Date: October 18, 2017
Contact: Liz Novak, Senior Director of Marketing and Advocacy / Editor-In-Chief, +913.345.1005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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IAPD Honors Mark Kramer of North American Plastics with the 2017 Paul Davis Award of Merit

Overland Park, KS —The International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD), the international trade association comprised of companies engaged in the distribution and manufacturer of performance plastics, has named Mark Kramer its 2017 Paul Davis Award of Merit recipient.

On behalf of IAPD and the plastics distribution industry, Kramer received the prestigious Paul Davis Award of Merit for 2017 at IAPD's Annual Convention and Plastics Expo in Chicago, IL, USA. Presented by Kevin Short of Polymershapes, LLC, Kramer was honored for his many years of support to the association and the plastics industry.

In his role as president and chief executive officer of North American Plastics, Kramer has encouraged the involvement of his employees in every level of IAPD. Thanks to his support, North American Plastics and Laird Plastics employees are dedicated volunteers on committees, councils, common interest groups and on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Kramer has also encouraged his employees to take advantage of IAPD regional events, such as the charitable golf tournaments each year.

"Mark values IAPD and has fostered a culture of IAPD volunteerism throughout his organization," said IAPD CEO Susan E. Avery, CAE. "IAPD relies on the dedication and expertise of its volunteers at every level of the association and thanks to Mark's unwavering support over the years, IAPD has benefited greatly. Thank you, Mark Kramer, and congratulations on this well-deserved award."

About Paul Davis Paul Davis of Plastics Manufacturing and Supply Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, recognized how difficult it was for a small independent plastics distributor to compete with a much larger distributor, and he longed for the same buying power that a multi-branch distributor enjoyed. In the summer of 1956, he began calling other small distributors to see if the owners were interested in teaming up to become a larger voice in the trade. Davis recruited six individuals, representing four plastics distributors at that first meeting. This small group launched what was initially named the United Plastics Warehouse Corporation and today is known as the International Association of Plastics Distribution. In 1986, IAPD created the Paul Davis Award of Merit to recognize members who have performed exceptional, extraordinary or outstanding service on behalf of the association and the plastics distribution industry and bestowed Paul Davis as the first recipient of this most esteemed award.

About IAPD

The International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD), established in 1956, brings together performance plastics distributors, fabricators, manufacturers, manufacturers’ representatives, 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.

This release and more are available in IAPD’s Press Room.

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