Are You Ready to Take on the World?

Our cover story this month reports on an exclusive—and exhaustive—benchmarking study Plastics Technology conducted last year in an effort to define just what makes up a world-class plastics processing operation. At a time when more plastics processors are competing globally—and looking for ways to differentiate what they do from others—establishing a best-in-class processing operation is perhaps more important than ever.

I encourage you to turn to click here to read this report, written by Senior Editor Tony Deligio. Maybe—just maybe—your first reaction will be: “Why is my company not among those listed there as a World-Class Processor?” My first question to you would be, “Did you participate in the survey?” We sent it out by email several times to our subscriber base, with a link to an online survey. Some 116 processors replied. Considering that we are all inundated with emails, and this is the first time we have done this type of research, that’s not a bad level of response. That said, I don’t consider it good enough. Obviously, the greater the number of firms that respond to a survey of any kind, the more credible the data.

We’ll be doing this survey on a yearly basis, so if you didn’t respond last year I encourage you to do so this year. You don’t have to divulge your company’s identity. Some 21 out of the 25 processors identified as world class elected to make themselves known this time around. To be honest, I’m a bit mystified as why anyone would want to be secretive about being a best-in class operation. This industry could stand for a bit more chest thumping. And wouldn’t that “World-Class Processor” designation be a useful credential when your OEM customers put projects out to bid? Wouldn’t it be a good thing to even put such a designation on your own website?

Anyhow, Tony’s article lays out the methodology we employed to determine the cream of the crop—11 metrics covering operations, business performance, and human resources. Those measures included everything from scrap and on-time delivery rates to employee turnover and sales growth. The article is loaded with tables comparing how World-Class Processors stand up against all processors surveyed on the basis of these measurables. 

Here are some of the results from the study that I found particularly interesting:

 •  World-Class Processors run fewer pounds of materials overall, but use more different kinds, including more reclaimed in-house scrap. The message? If you’re a custom processor, focus on flexibility and efficiency.
 •  World-Class Processors also have significantly fewer total active customers. Does this run counter to being flexible? As Tony points out, it suggests a focus on quality of clients vs. quantity. Another way to look at it, perhaps: Don’t try to be all things to all people.
 •  World-Class Processors have a higher on-time delivery rate and lower accident rate. More examples of efficiency in action and understanding the reality that a safe operation is a productive operation.
 •  World-Class Processors offer value-added services. Message: They strive to be solutions providers for their customers, not parts makers.
 •  World-Class Processors make more use of process or production monitoring software. If you do something well, measure it so you can make it repeatable.
 •  World-Class Processors reinvest more revenue into capital equipment. Top processors keep abreast of new technology and realize the payoff, whether it’s through reducing scrap, cutting energy bills, or improving yield.

Please be on the lookout for an email linking you to our next survey. It’s scheduled to go out next month.