media release

Date: October 6, 2016
Contact: Liz Novak, Director of Marketing and Communications, +913.345.1005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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IAPD Announces 2016 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 performance plastics has announced the following member companies as the 2016 Education Circle of Champions Award recipients:
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• Curbell Plastics, Inc.
• Cope Plastics, Inc.
• Laird Plastics, Inc.
• Midland Plastics, Inc.
• Redwood Plastics Corporation
• SABIC's Polymershapes

• Interstate Plastics

• Mulford Plastics

These eight 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 the 60th Annual IAPD Convention. ​

The Education Circle of Champions has three award levels: Gold, Silver and Bronze. The criteria are demanding, so it is significant that six companies achieved the Gold Level and one company achieved the Silver Level. Four of the eight companies are past award recipients. ​

"Ben Franklin once said, 'An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.' I am pleased to see so many member companies taking advantage of and benefiting from the fantastic resources that the IAPD has to offer, such as e-training webinars, certificate programs, onsite training seminars, educational magazine articles and much more," said IAPD Education Committee Chair Mark Steele. "The educational award winners see the value in investing in their people and teams with strong internal and external training curriculum and resources. Ben Franklin had it right; the return from investing in knowledge is impressive!" ​

"I am very pleased with the number of award recipients this year," said IAPD CEO Susan E. Avery, CAE. "It speaks to our member's understanding and commitment to education and training not only as a competitive advantage for their company, but for the performance plastics industry as a whole."

Companies earn points by participating in any number of training and education activities, including:

• Establishment of a new company wide training program.
• Companies with existing training programs can earn points by establishing a new program in addition to current programs or by upgrading/replacing a program.
• Establishment of a new internship program (headquarter or branch level or company wide). 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 2017 Education Circle of Champions Award is open from August 1, 2016 through July 31, 2017.

About IAPD

The International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD) is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2016. Established in 1956, IAPD brings together 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. 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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