Monday, April 2nd at NPE!


At the enormous and spectacular 2012 Edition of NPE -- held for the first time in its history at the remarkably large and sprawling Orange County Convention Center -- the imperative for most attendees has to be:  "Pace Yourself!"  Plan your day and routing carefully using the Official Maps and Guides, and of course the Show Directory; copies of the guide and directory publications are available and plentiful at and near Registration.  Thanks to the "road map," hospitality and welcoming guidance generously furnished by SPI's Tania Farries, the managing editorial staff of THE MOLDMAKER JOURNAL struck out on our Day One adventures and enjoyed a foray into the Moldmaking Showcase! 


Like a cool breeze wafting though the airways and aisles of the aforementioned Showcase / Pavilion, optimism is pervasive, much to the collective satisfaction of participating moldmakers and the good people at SPI who produce the massive expo.  Carson Tool & Mold's (Booth #45005) booth staffer reports that his company's business is undergoing an upsurge with a number of customers -- once buying their molds from overseas sources -- returning to Carson, while freely acknowledging the quality and overall economies of U.S. - made molds.  Larry Hauck, general manager of PM Mold Company, Inc. (Booth #43009), echoed that sense of optimism as business and opportunities generally improve.  Larry mentioned a theme that many if not most moldmaking businesses are keen to promote -- the need to channel young people into the profession and promote the art of moldmaking for the significant professional satisfaction it engenders, its challenging skill base and its highly attractive and rewarding earning power, one that compares very favorably with professions requiring university degrees. 


Finally, we commend the gracious and professional presence of Tania while we paraded the corridors of the Moldmaking Showcase.  Tania didn't fail to elicit exhibitor comments and suggestions while thanking each of them for attending.  We would also like to note -- and with the satisfaction that comes from apparently serving a genuine need --  that many of the attending moldmakers reported their enjoyment of continuing to receive, read and derive benefit from articles that appear in the pages of THE MOLDMAKER JOURNAL.  We greatly appreciate the opportunity to attend, and extend our sincere thanks to the outstanding staff of SPI and NPE.


As for Day Two -- Tuesday, April 3rd -- we plan to enjoy the creative wonders of the International Plastics Design Competition (South / North Hall, Booth #21062).