Volume 58 ▲

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Novem

ber 2013

Automotive Innovation Awards Gala

Date:Wednesday, November 6

Time:5:00pm - 9:00pm plus Afterglow until 11:00pm

Location: Burton Manor27777 Schoolcraft RoadLivonia, MI 48150 (www.BurtonManor.net)

Event Information: SPE’s Automotive Innovation Awards program is the oldest and largest competition of its kind in the automotive and plastics industries. Parts and vehicles are on display, and the Grand Award winner is the best of the best in each of eight categories. For more details, click this link.

Registration & Tickets: Online at SPEIAGregistration.com or contact Dawn Stephens, +1 248-244-8993 ext4, or Dawn@SPEautomotive.com.

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www.SPEdetroit.com2

As we enter the fall of 2013, attention turns toward the leaves changing color, the summer temperatures are disappearing being replaced by the beginning of winter cold, the end of the baseball season with the World Series, the football season in full swing, and the hockey season begins. This time of year also begins the 2013-2014 SPE Detroit Section year with many exciting activities and coming events.

The first Technical Meeting of the year was held at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Michigan on Monday September 16th. Approximately fifty (50) people attended this meeting and enjoyed a great presentation by Dean Robert Headley of Schoolcraft College. The presentation focused on the New Plastic Technology Program at Schoolcraft. This program, by the way, began in the spring of this year and continues this fall with enrollment double that of the spring enrollment. Also during the September Technical Meeting, both Jim Keeler of Albis Plastics Inc. and Todd Hogan of The Dow Chemical Company were presented the 2013 SPE Detroit Section Outstanding Member Award. This award is given in recognition of their many contributions over a number of years to the Detroit Section. Congratulations to both Jim and Todd on their receiving this prestigious award. I also thank Sassan Tarahomi for organizing this great first Technical Meeting of the 2013-2014 year.

The 15th Annual SPE TPO Engineered Polyolefins Conference was held from October 7-9th at the Marriot-Troy in Troy, MI. This event had a record attendance of over six hundred forty (640) attendees and seventy-one (71) papers presented during its 2 ½ day run. Conference attendees came from as far away as Canada, Europe, Asia, and South America. A record number of exhibitors were also present at this event. I would like to thank our many sponsors, exhibitors, and presenters for all their contributions in making this a successful event. I would also recognize Mr. Bill Windscheif of AIS-Limited and Mr. Jeff Valentage of Exxon Mobil Chemical Company as well as their 40 member conference committee for doing an outstanding job for making this a world class event.

On Monday October 21st, the first plant tour of the 2013-2014 year took place at Reliable Analysis Inc., located at 32201 North Avis Dr., Madison Heights, MI. The topic that night was “Plastics Materials Testing”. Many joined us that evening in Madison Heights for this first tour of the year.

Coming Events

On Wednesday November 6th, the 43rd SPE Automotive Innovations Awards Program takes place at the Burton Manor, 27777 Schoolcraft Rd., Livonia, MI. The SPE Automotive Innovations Award is the oldest and largest competition of its kind in the automotive and plastics industry. Each year, approximately seven hundred (700) people attend this gala event. This event will feature many of the new and exciting innovations in plastic automotive applications. This event also includes an exhibit which displays award winning parts and vehicles. This is an outstanding event sponsored by the SPE Automotive Division. Join us for a great evening and see the newest innovations and applications for automotive plastics.

The next event on the 2013-2014 calendar takes place in 2014. On February 19th, the second plant tour takes place ACI, a unique compounder, processor, and recycler of engineering thermoplastics located in Flint, MI. The topic that evening will center on “Recycling Automotive Parts”.

The Detroit Section continues to communicate our activities through several media; our newsletter, E-Blasts, the SPE Detroit Section website, and Linked-In. As always, we continue to welcome new ideas on plant tours, technical programs, conferences, and other Detroit Section events from our membership. Our next meeting of the SPE Detroit Section Board of Directors will take place on Monday November 18th at the American Chemistry Council (ACC), 1800 Crooks Rd., Troy, MI at 5:00PM EDT. Dinner is provided. However, if you do wish to join us for this meeting, please RSVP to Karen Rhodes-Parker at karen@spedetroit.com. I am looking forward to seeing you all at our upcoming events.

President’s MessagePete Grelle

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Plastics at Ferris State UniversityAndrea Mitrink

Plastics is a field like no other, it’s unique and thriving. Nothing could prove that more true than with an overflow of students wishing to major in plastics engineering at Ferris State University. This year’s freshman class size alone was upwards of 70 students. The professors have had to create additional lab sections just to accommodate the large class size. Professor Stephen Wolfer explains the demand for graduating students is much larger than we have been able to meet in the past, with this growing class size we will be more equipped to meet the industry’s needs. Not only is this growth in the freshmen class size good for the plastics program at Ferris and industry, but for the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) as well. The freshmen have an unfaltering want to participate and be part of something they know will benefit them, as both a student and as a professional in the future.

Hannah Morris from Lake Odessa, MI, a freshman and SPE participant, weighs in on what it’s like to be not only a freshman in the Plastics program, but on being a girl in a largely male profession. “I was overwhelmed at first, I was part of the minority. Eventually the guys took me in as one of their own and now it’s normal for me,” Morris states. “When I started in this program, I was unaware of what it was or what it entailed, but I enjoy how easy the professors are making it to understand. The professors are also very friendly and take the time to help me

if I am having any problems.” She also explains that she enjoys SPE and the camaraderie that it creates between her and her classmates.

Another freshman, Laura Myers from Clare, MI, is still trying to determine which career path she wishes to pursue. She states, “I like sales, and would like to have an internship that is in the sales aspect of plastics. That will really help me decide whether or not I enjoy sales as much as I think I do.” Myers also is encouraged by SPE and the access to upperclassmen that it offers. Many upperclassmen willingly offer advice to the new freshmen about classes, professors, and the benefits of SPE.

Both Morris and Myers are excited about the secret that is the plastics industry. Most people have no knowledge of the plastics industry unless they are a part of it. This untapped secret drives both Morris and Myers to continue their education and keeps their interest in plastics blooming. “It feels good being able to answer questions about plastics that people otherwise wouldn’t know,” Morris explains. This excitement and want to learn is evident among all freshmen and is essential in the continuing growth of the plastics industry and the Society of Plastics Engineers. The students of the plastics programs are the future of the industry and SPE and if they are excited about their education and plastics in general, the future looks bright.

From left to right: Kevin Catrell

Heath HardingClaire Davey

Will HoldsworthKaysie Rytlewski

professor Bob Speirs Candita CoxKyle Morris

Andrea Mitrinkand Dylan Clark

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BIG RAPIDS – Since 2010, Ferris State University’s Plastics and Rubber engineering technology programs continue to experience student enrollment growth.

Last fall, 38 students were enrolled. One year later, that enrollment total was nearly doubled to 70 at the start of the Fall 2013 semester, said Robert Speirs, professor and program coordinator for the Plastics and Rubber engineering technology programs. Speirs added that prior to this fall semester; enrollment numbers grew steadily from 28 students, in 2010; to 34, in 2011; and 38, in 2012.

“These positive enrollment numbers reflect the hard work of our faculty and administrative staff. The Plastics and Rubber engineering technology programs recruit and retain high-caliber students pursuing a Ferris degree,” Speirs said. “As we look toward the future, we will continue to work collaboratively to introduce as many people as we can to the wonderful career opportunities that are available to them with a degree from Ferris.”

Speirs pointed to several potential factors for this year’s enrollment growth. The Ferris programs partnered with the Society of Plastics Engineers’ “Plastivan,” an educational outreach program noted for its visits to Michigan schools to create awareness of polymers. Additionally, the programs have five faculty members: Speirs, Steve Wolfer, professor; Matthew Yang, associate professor; Larry Langell, associate professor; and Greg Conti, associate professor. The faculty host career days on the Ferris campus each semester. These events typically welcome 100 to 200 high school students each semester, who learn more about the program and career opportunities with a degree from Ferris.

“Graduates from the Plastics and Rubber programs enter the field as process engineers, project engineers, and design engineers, manufacturing supervisors or managers,” Speirs said. “Many graduates are promoted to middle-or top-level managers within a few years.”

Ferris’ Bachelor of Science in Plastics Engineering Technology degree is the only one of its kind in the Great Lakes region, and one of just five in the U.S. The Rubber Engineering Technology Bachelor of Science degree is the only one of its kind in the world. The internship opportunities for students pursuing these degrees reinforce the university’s “hands-on” education approach demonstrated in these two Ferris programs.

“Graduates of these programs enjoy a wealth of respect from the industry and can expect the 100-percent employment placement to continue well into the future,” Speirs said. “The Plastics and Rubber industry supports the graduates from the Plastics and Rubber programs at Ferris State University because they have seen them enter the field with skills to allow them to not only succeed but improve the industry.”

To learn more about Plastics Engineering Technology, at Ferris, visit:

http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/colleges/technolo/design-mfg/Plastics/homepage.htm

To learn more about Rubber Engineering Technology, at Ferris, visit:

http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/colleges/technolo/design-mfg/Rubber/homepage.htm

Ferris’ Plastics and Rubber Programs Experience Enrollment Growth

Professor Robert SpeirsPlastics and Rubber Department

Ferris State University

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2013-2014Technical Program Report

Dr. Sassan Tarahomi, IAC Group

Dear Detroit SPE members, we had so much fun on September 16, that it would take me many pages to describe it. Lots of good friends and many new ones, great food and best of all excellent speaker to top it all. Dr. Leadley Dean of Schoolcraft College presented all the attendees with the latest update on the plastics program. Many well know polymer and plastics engineering professors from local universities attended this event and celebrated our 2013 Fall Technical Dinner kick-off meeting. I was looking for many of you there but I couldn’t find you. I know you have been busy and did not have time to attend this great event. I forgive you this time and hope to see many more of you in the next several events.

By the time you are reading this article, we have visited Reliable Analysis Lab facility at Madison Heights, Michigan. Reliable Analysis Lab is one of the best labs in Michigan for testing plastics parts.

If you haven’t worked with them I suggest you should visit their facility and ask them to give you a tour and try them on your next project. I know you’ll be very satisfied. I will tell you more about our Reliable Analysis Lab Plant Tour in my next article.

We have four more events this year. Make sure to mark your calendar and please make sure to pre-register by sending an email to Ms. Karen Rhodes-Parker at karen@spedetroit.com.

Yours truly,

Dr. Sassan Tarahomi Detroit SPE Technical Program Chair

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Delta College hosted the Great Lakes Bay Science and Engineering Festival (http://mindtrekkers.mtu.edu/events/142.pdf) on October 4-5, 2013. The event hosted 4,000 middle school students on Friday and the event was open to the public on Saturday. MindTrekkers from Michigan Tech. (http://mindtrekkers.mtu.edu) were a principal component this year. The Society of Plastics Engineers sponsored Margie Weiner and the Plastivan visit (http://www.plasticsindustry.org/CareerCenter/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1219). Chris Surbrook worked with Margie and students from Delta College and Ferris State University to entertain and educate the schoolchildren.

The PlastiVan Was at the Science and Engineering Festival at Delta College

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Membership Note

Even though you are a member of SPE International, you are not a member of the Detroit

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SPE DetroitAutomotive Engineered Polyolefins

TPO ConferenceBill Windscheif, Co-Chair TPO Conference

The 15th annual SPE TPO Automotive Engineered Polyolefins Conference was held at the Troy Marriott on October 6th through the 9th , 2013. This year’s conference set a record with 655 registered attendees and 71 technical papers. It included five keynote presentations discussing the latest market and technical trends within the industry. The conference has truly become a global event attracting attendees from eighteen countries. The audience make-up was about thirty five percent OEMs with the balance from Tier I and supplier companies. Once again the conference demonstrated value to those who exhibited and attended because the entire supply chain was represented, thus providing the perfect venue to network. Several of the attendees said they were able to accomplish in three days what would normally take many months. Therefore by all measurements, this year’s conference was a resounding success.

Two reasons for the conference’s success are the sponsors and exhibitors which were at record levels and the dedication and effort of the TPO Committee. The committee is made up of industry representatives who provide an extraordinary amount of non-profit volunteer effort each year. The results of their efforts have grown this event into the world’s largest automotive polyolefins forum. The latest trends and technologies were presented in eight technical sessions:

• AdvancesinAutomotivePolyolefins

• SurfaceEnhancements

• MoldingandFormingofTPO’s

• AutomotiveTPE’s

• LightweightingofPolyolefinParts

• RidgedPolyolefinCompounds

• AdhesivesandCoatingsforTPO’s

• AutomotiveInteriorTrimandSkins

In addition to the technical sessions, the conference provided additional networking opportunities at two evening receptions hosted by ExxonMobil and SABIC.

The conference also hosts the “Most Innovative Parts Award” contest. This year two awards were presented. The winners are Chrysler’s 2014 Jeep Cherokee instrument panel for North America’s first 2.0 mm instrument panel in long glass fiber polypropylene molded in SABIC’s Stamax, and General Motors’ 2014 Corvette door panel using the new “Smartfoil Trim Technology” developed by IAC.

Next year’s TPO Conference will again be held at the Troy Marriott and is scheduled for October 5th through 8th, 2014. For additional information, visit the TPOConference website at www.Auto-TPO.com or call 348-244-8993, ext. 3. Mark you calendars now!

Accepting the Corvette Door Panel award are David LaddformIACandDavidOkonskifromGeneralMotorsCorporation.

Accepting the Jeep Cherokee Instrument Panel award is Mathew Delaney from SABIC.

http://www.spedetroit.com

www.SPEdetroit.com13

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Going SocialThe Detroit Section of SPE is up and running with enhanced web presence on LinkedIn and Twitter, thanks to our Social Media coordinator, the Detroit SPEaker. Follow the Detroit SPEaker wherever he goes. Here’s how….

Not sure what LinkedIn is or why you’d want to be, well, linked in?

Do you still think that Twitter is just the sound that birds make in the morning?

Is Google+ the pro version of Google?

It’s been hard to pick up a business magazine printed in the last few years that didn’t include one article focused on the growing importance that social media is going to play in all of our lives. Like most, I think that there’s a little too much hyperbole in these statements, yet I stay connected with my family on Facebook and my business colleagues on LinkedIn. I see my niece’s news that she’s made the Yorkshire volleyball team on Facebook and that my friend has a new roll at Dow on LinkedIn.

Okay, for the one person out there who doesn’t know what these terms mean, I’ll take a step back. Social media is the term given to the means of interactions among people in which they create, share, and exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks (thanks Wikipedia). The opportunity is for brand owners (oh man, I’m even starting to sound like these social media-types) to better connect with their customers, fans, members, etc.

Facebook is possibly the best known of these social networking sites. It allows users to post information that is important in their lives and follow family and friends (and thereby see what they post). But as a site, it’s not really focused for the technical community, and LinkedIn has taken up that role as a networking site for people in professional occupations.

Blogs aside, if LinkedIn is the long form method of sharing a thought, Twitter limits you to 140 characters to get your message out there. In effect, Twitter has

become the place that people share their menus, their moods, and their activities. But it’s also become the place where people find news first. Following the right people or organizations can make Twitter a useful application. And Detroit SPE hopes to be part of the right people.

The Detroit SPEaker (www.linkedin.com/pub/detroit-speaker/75/624/253) has joined our promotions team

in our ever continuing attempt to get pertinent information out to the Detroit Section membership. His first foray into this new endeavor was to take over the role of LinkedIn Detroit Section group manager

(www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=4404194). If you haven’t been to the group before, then you’re missing out. This group will work in conjunction with our web site (www.SPEdetroit.com) to bring you news about the latest events, meetings, newsletters, and opportunities.

Detroit SPEaker’s next task was to expand communication through Twitter (www.twitter.com/DetroitSPEaker). This site will just give you the headlines and links where you can find out more information on those topics of interest to you.

And after that, who knows? Google+? Let us know where you think we should be active.

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to look at the social media sites that the rest of the world has been using for a while, here it is. If you’ve been active on these sites for some time, here are a couple of opportunities to get a little more use out of them.

You can easily bookmark these sites as favorites to follow. And don’t forget that Twitter and LinkedIn apps are available for most cell phones, so you can take Detroit SPEaker home with you. He likes his chai sweet and milky!

Please contact Irv Poston with any suggestions, comments, or questions about any aspect of e-communications at ieposton@juno.com.

e-Communications Irv Poston – General Motors (retired)

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Detroit Sectionsociety of plastics engineers, inc.1800 Crooks RoadTroy, MI 48084

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DETROIT SECTION EXECUTIVE BOARD and COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR 2013-2014Title Name Company O/W Phone Cell Phone EmailPresident Pete Grelle Plastics Fundamentals Group LLC 248-752-2611 PFGrp@aol.comPresident Elect Sassan Tarahomi IAC 248-455-3981 248-259-5624 starahomi@iacna.comFirst Vice President Adrian Marrington Michigan Molecular Institute 989-832-5555 ext 638 merrington@mmi.orgSecond Vice President OPENPast President Vineet KapilaTreasurer Tom Powers Consultant 248-877-0689 tpowers@ejourney.comCouncilor Sandra McClelland Chevron Phillips Chemical 586-264-0063 586-292-1794 mccles@cpchem.comSecretary Gary Kogowski Entec Polymers 248-797-7433 gkogowski@entecpolymers.comDirector Emeritus Irv Poston Retired (GM) 248-646-9574 ieposton@juno.com

Nippani Rao Rao Associates 248-444-1753 nippanirao@aol.comTom Powers Consultant 248-877-0689 tpowers@ejourney.comNorm Kakarala Retired- Inteva Products 248-840-6747 srimankakarala@gmail.comRon Price Global Polymer Solutions 248-738-5504 248.563.6343 rprice525@aol.com

COMMITTEE CHAIRS FOR 2013-2014Advertising Co-Chair Bob Petrach Safety Technology International, Inc. 248-703-5995 bpetrach@sti-use.com

Co-Chair Chris Surbrook Midland Compounding, Inc 989-495-9367 csurbrook@midlandcompounding.comAutoEPCON Conference Co-Chair Gary J. Kogowski Entec Polymers, LLC 248-797-7433 gkogowski@entecresins.com

Co-Chair Sandra McClelland Chevron Phillips Chemical 586-264-0063 586-292-1794 mccles@cpchem.comAwards Co-Chair Nippani Rao Rao Associates 248-444-1753 nippanirao@aol.com

Co-Chair Adrian Marrington Michigan Molecular Institute 989-832-5555 ext 638 merrington@mmi.orgCommunications / Web Content Co-Chair Irv Poston Retired (GM) 248-646-9574 ieposton@juno.com

Co-Chair Marc Bahm MRB Polymers 248-496-2811 marc.bahm@gmail.comSPE Foundation/Education Fund Co-Chair Tom Powers Consultant 248-877-0689 tpowers@ejourney.com

Co-Chair Sandra McClelland Chevron Phillips Chemical 586-264-0063 586-292-1794 mccles@cpchem.comHouse Sassan Tarahomi IAC 248-455-3981 248-259-5624 starahomi@iacna.comIntersociety Wayne Hertlein MMI Eng. Solutions 586-243-6078 wayneh7758@aol.com Material Auction Co-Chair Dawn Cooper Uniplas, Inc. 248-486-1449 dawn@uniplasinc.com

Co-Chair Chris Surbrook Midland Compounding, Inc 989-495-9367 csurbrook@midlandcompounding.comMembership Marc Bahm MRB Polymers, LLC 248-496-2811 marc.bahm@gmail.comNewsletter Editor Co-Chair Gary J. Kogowski Entec Polymers/Ravago Americas 248-797-7433 gkogowski@entecresins.com

Co-Chair Adrian Marrington Michigan Molecular Institute 989-832-5555 ext 638 merrington@mmi.orgNominations/ Elections Nippani Rao Rao Associates 248-444-1753 nippanirao@aol.comPlastivan & Essay Contest S.E. Mich. Tom Miller BASF 586-291-5289 thomas.miller@basf.com

Northern Mi. Todd Hogan Dow Chemical Co. 989-636-5303 tahogan@dow.comPublic Affairs Co-Chair Dawn Cooper Uniplas, Inc. 248-486-1449 dawn@uniplasinc.com

Co-Chair Patricia Ewald DME 248-544-5787 patticake0809@hotmail.comScholarships Co-Chair Tom Miller BASF 586-291-5289 thomas.miller@basf.com

Co-Chair Adrian Marrington Michigan Molecular Institute 989-832-5555 ext 638 merrington@mmi.orgEducation Co-Chair Sandra McClelland Chevron Phillips Chemical 586-264-0063 586-292-1794 mccles@cpchem.com

Co-Chair Jim Keeler Albis Plastics Corp. 248-410-9015 jim.keeler@albis.com Technical Programs TPO Pete Grelle Plastics Fundamentals Group LLC 248-752-2611 PFGrp@aol.com

TPO Norm Kakarala Retired- Inteva Products 248-840-6747 srimankakarala@gmail.comAutoEPCON Sandra McClelland Chevron Phillips Chemical 586-264-0063 586-292-1794 mccles@cpchem.comAutoEPCON Laura Shereda Inteva Products lshereda@intevaproducts.com

TPO Conference Chair Bill Windscheif AIS, Ltd. 248-375-2335 bill@AIS-Limited.comWebMaster Marc Bahm MRB Polymers 248-496-2811 marc.bahm@gmail.com

Bo

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Term Ending 6/2014 Term Ending 6/2015 Term Ending 6/2016 AdminstrativeTerry Cressy

cressytq@comcast.net Bill Windscheif

bill@AIS-Limited.comSandra McClelland

mccles@cpchem.comWayne Hertlein

wayneh7758@aol.comTodd A. Hogan

tahogan@dow.com

Adrian Merringtonmerrington@mmi.org

Chris Surbrookcsurbrook@midlandcompounding.comSteven Keinath

keinath@mmi.orgTom Pickett

tomjpickett@yahoo.comGary Kogowski

gkogowski@entecresins.com

Tom Millerthomas.miller@basf.com

Dawn Cooperdawn@uniplasinc.com

Jim Keelerjim.keeler@albis.com

Robert V. Petrach, Jr.bpetrach@sti-use.com

Laura Shereda lshereda3@gmail.com

Karen Rhodes-Parker248-244-2993 Cell:248-244-8920

karen@spedetroit.com SPE Detroit website

www.SPEdetroit.comTPO Conference

www.auto-TPO.comSPE www.4spe.org

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SOE Innovation Awards Competition & GalaPresident's Message by Pete GrelleDIC adM.Holland adPlastics at Ferris State University by Andrea MitrinkStyron adFerris' Plastics and Rubber Programs Expeirence Enrollment Growth by Professor Robert SpeirsRavago adEntec adPlstics Fundamentals Group adComing EventsTechnical Program Report by Dr. Sassan TarahomiCelanese adBASF adThe PlastiVan was at the Science and Engineering Festival at Delta CollegeNewsletter SponsorsUniPlas adChase Plastics adMembership NoteDME adMaple Press adWould you like the Plastivan to visit the school in your area?SPE Detroit Automotive Engineered Polyolefins TPO Conference by Bill WindscheifMidland adSponsor Advertising Guidese-Communications by Irv PostonDetroit Section Executive Board and Committee Members and Chairs for 2013-2014Board of Directors