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American Productivity and Quality Center
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The APQC "solves business problems in the areas of metrics, measurement, best practices, process improvement, benchmarking, and knowledge management." Within this site, which offers promotional info about their consulting and members services, you'll find an extensive online library of studies and reports. The library is open to members and the general public, but registration is required to get to the data.
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British Plastics Federation
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This site includes impressive collections of supplier information, materials & additives applications and specifications, and industry data. The BPF site also includes an impressive archive of "Ask The Expert" questions and answers, segregated into two sections?one for technical, and one for business-related issues. Plastics processing professionals of all stripes can find something useful here.
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Society of Plastics Engineers
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You?ll find much of the standard fare of association Web sites here, including how/why-to-join information, calendars, and the like. But seeing as how this is SPE, you?ll also find many resources to help you run your business better—like "E-Learning," Plastics Engineering Magazine online, and a massive plastics links section.
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Supplier Excellence Alliance (SEA)
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The Supplier Excellence Alliance is a collective of aerospace, defense, and space primes/OEMs, major subcontractors, and suppliers working together to improve capabilities and ensure American competitiveness. Think of this organization as a commune for the supply chain ? and if you?re reading this, you?re part of a supply chain. There are numerous resources to help your business on this site, whether you?re outsourcing work or doing it for someone else. SEA?s focus on lean alone is worth a visit. SEA appears committed to improving each link in the chain; or at least your performance in it. Strong medicine, this site.
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The American Plastics Council
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This behemoth of a Web site serves up a steaming stew of plastics information—from statistics to technical materials info to news and everything in between. As a matter of fact, this home page of the APC is actually a portal to many business units and information repositories under the APC?s auspices. Some sections of this network are a bit innocuous for plastics processors and professionals; I mean, how helpful is the history of polystyrene to your job? But this collection of sites presents a wellspring of useful plastics industry and materials data.
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The American Society for Engineering Education
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The ASEE is focused on "promoting and improving engineering and engineering technology education." Its site offers a surprisingly robust collection of career and education info for current or aspiring engineers, including links, events, and resident content in the ASEE site.
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The Canadian Association of Mouldmakers
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Our friends from the Great White North are online with the usual association-rich information, including an extensive buyers guide that lists their membership.
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The Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA)
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The Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA) is a national trade association based in Washington, D.C. that represents independent manufacturers of medical devices, diagnostic products and healthcare information systems. Its Web site is pretty much what you should expect from an association, with membership allowing for more access to more information. That said, if you manufacture medical devices or parts, this association is essential.
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