Roger Klouda
MSI Mold Builders Inc
SPE Mold Maker of the Year 2013

At an event during Amerimold 2013 in Rosemont, IL on June 12th, the Society of Plastics Engineers’ (SPE) Mold Making and Mold Design Division gave its Mold Maker of the Year Award for 2013 to Roger Klouda, president of MSI Mold Builders Inc., Cedar Rapids, IA.

The awards go to people who have shown they can adapt to changing technology, provide career and technical guidance to others, and share their information and experience with others in the industry. That description fits Roger Klouda perfectly, and there is still more worthy of respect.

In 1978, Klouda joined MSI Mold Builders, which his parents had founded in 1971. In 1990, the company moved to its present 35,000 square foot facility in Cedar Rapids. Continuing to grow, in 2001 MSI opened a 20,000 square foot facility in Greenville, SC to better service its clients in the Southeast.

Today, the 75 employees in the two plants can produce tools from eight by eight inches to six by eight feet and weighing up to 30 tons. The company is driven by lean principals, continuous process improvement, and commitment to ISO principals, having received ISO 9001:2008 Certification in 2010.

Besides his involvement with SPE, Klouda is very active in SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association, of which MSI Mold Builders is a long-term member. He currently is a member of SPI’s National Board, Board of Directors, Membership Subcommittee, and Equipment Council, and in the past has held other positions. That part of the Mold Builder of the Year that is for sharing information and experience with others is evident at SPI meetings.

The part of the award recognizing career and technical guidance is evident from Klouda’s activity with Kirkwood Community College, also in Cedar Rapids. He provided seed money for a tuition assistance program at the college to help students complete the CNC Machinist Certification Program.

Klouda is also active outside the plastics sector. For example, he helps the iWarriors organization set up three years ago by another mold maker, Tim Bartz of Mold Craft Inc. (Willernie, MN). iWarriors organizes donations of iPads to wounded members of the 5^th Marine Regiment, which recently in Afghanistan added to a long history of hard combat. The iPads help wounded Marines stay in touch with family and friends, a key aspect of their recovery.

SPI is the producer of NPE, the triennial international plastics trade show. Held in Orlando on April 1-5,  NPE2012 was considered a triumphant success by most observers. After being held for 40 years in Chicago, NPE2012 marked the first time the show was held in Orlando. The following statement concerning the death of Visit Orlando President and CEO Gary Sain was issued by SPI President and CEO William “Bill” Carteaux.

It  is with deep sadness that I share the news with the entire plastics industry that Gary Sain, the President and CEO of Visit Orlando (The Orlando Tourism Bureau), passed away unexpectedly on the evening of May 4th at an event in Orlando.

As many of you may recall from SPI events and articles in various trade publications, over the past three years Gary was extremely instrumental in helping to attract SPI to Orlando for NPE2012.  His tireless efforts and commitment to the show and our industry helped us create one of the best NPEs in its history.  Gary took some huge risks to ensure our success that could have cost him not only his job, but also his outstanding reputation. But as I got to know him better along the journey, I realized there was no way he would allow SPI, or himself, to fail in helping create the special event that we did with NPE2012.

Gary Sain (seated left) and Bill Carteaux (seated middle) sign contract that brought NPE to Orlando. Others: OCCC GM Jessie Allen (seated right), NPE2012 Chair John Effmann (back row, left) and SPI Sr. VP Trade Shows Gene Sanders.

Over the past three-plus years, Gary and I developed a close, personal relationship.  He was a true visionary in the trade show and tourism industry and probably had the best marketing mind of anyone that I have known in my professional career.  His ability to look at every problem and obstacle as an opportunity was tremendously refreshing.  Gary truly believed and lived by Orlando’s theme — “ORLANDO MAKES ME SMILE” — as he was always on top of the world with a positive attitude and a smile on his face.

The entire global plastics industry owes Gary Sain a generous amount of appreciation for all that he did for us. Without his help, support and unwavering commitment to our success, NPE2012 would not have been nearly as successful as it was.  For that Mr. Sain, we are all ‘smiling up at you.’

From a personal perspective, I will miss our friendship dearly. On behalf of SPI Sr. Vice President of Trade Shows Gene Sanders and the rest of the SPI staff, I want to express my deepest condolences to Gary’s family, loved ones and the staff at Visit Orlando.

The bustling second day of the NPE2012 expo in Orlando, Florida, took SPI’s Senior VP of Trade Shows Gene Sanders (ExpoGene) from the circus (really) to a restaurant that could not feed him, both of which made him happy (really).

The second day of the NPE2012 Exposition was even better than the first! Monday’s performance was certainly hard to top, but lo and behold, Tuesday was better (and it isn’t just because we are closer to the end!). Like most days, the crowds arrive not in mass, but more like a pending tsunami. By 10am the halls were full, the exhibitors were conducting business, and all was right with the plastics world (and God Bless Tiny Tim).

At noon, SPI President Bill Carteaux’s luncheon and announcements became one of the highlights of the show. Bill, a stage, and a microphone is always a lethal combination (it’s like tossing a grenade of knowledge and information on the unknowing.)

The day itself was terrific, but what was truly unique about Tuesday was what happened after the show closed. It started with a wonderful proclamation at the K Show reception regarding our show, and the relationship our organizations have with one another.

On the way over to this event, I noticed a bunch of artistically dressed people twisted up like pretzels. At first I thought maybe it was an affliction suffered by an attendee due to too much walking. But lo and behold, it was an exhibitor (Sabic) reception which featured Cirque du Soleil performers. Man, what a sight! Between Sabic, Dow’s spectacular customer center, and many of the other displays (like the Plastics News booth), I feel as if I dropped down the rabbit hole and landed in Poly-Alice’s Wonderland!

The evening was topped off with a proud revelation. We went to a restaurant that I was assured would be apart from the hustle and bustle. After waiting for an hour to be served (that’s what I needed after a 14-hour day) I asked what the hold-up was, whereupon I was informed that “some plastics company” rented out half the place, and with the other plastics people at the restaurant they just weren’t prepared for the load (I was still hungry at this point). Even after waiting two hours to be served our entrees, I wasn’t angry, but oddly proud that we were responsible for the onslaught of business into this nice community. GO NPE!

Wednesday’s another day, so until later, I am Expogene, “On The Scene”!

Images from Day Two at NPE2012, including the circus—April 3, 2012

On Tuesday in Orlando, Florida, SPI’s Senior VP of Trade Shows Gene Sanders (ExpoGene) tells us of real progress in the setup at the North/South Hall of NPE2012, and offers a lesson on when to remove your sunglasses.

We’ve been chatting a lot about the West Hall recently, so today I thought I’d fill you in on what’s happening over at the South/North Hall (no, the General Lee won’t be parked out front, sorry). Upon walking into the building today I couldn’t help but notice how dark it is. Then I noticed that I forgot to take off my sunglasses.

Once I removed my shades, I was shocked at the amount of branding and building that is going on. There must have been an army of people in the halls moving, raising, and installing all kinds of stuff. Registration was set up, signs were everywhere (think Times Square on New Year’s Eve), and the exhibits seem to have come out of nowhere! There are some beautiful displays that our resin folks are preparing and she’s shaping up like a real “Material Girl” (get it?).

The South/North (sounds like we are confused, but we’re not) building is also home to Technology Central, where you will find hundreds of educational sessions, the technology pavilions, many impressive resin displays, and still other technologies. It’s just a short walk

from the West Hall to the Peabody and Hilton Hotels. This is a great place to showcase what’s new in plastics technology.

During the walk between the North/South and the West Halls, you will notice the beautiful landscaping at the OCCC. Actually, there are no trees or plants. Visit Orlando kindly installed a complete Disney Animation set of plastic flowers, palm trees, and shrubs just for us. They too highlight a new industry segment to be showcased at NPE2015 – Plasticulture!  Or is it Floral Polymers? (so…will they use the resin flowers potted in the ground to make more resin? Now that’s sustainability!)

Everyone (but this one guy) seems really pleased with how smoothly everything is going. I’ve haven’t heard many negative comments about the job people here are doing (except of course for that one guy).

Tomorrow should be whacky Wednesday here at the OCCC, with more and more exhibitors showing up and the clock ticking closer to the opening hour, so my report should be even more interesting (thank goodness for that!).

Until then, I am Expogene “On the Scene!”

Images From the North/South Hall at NPE2012 — Tuesday, March 27, 2012

The theme of NPE2012, “The Return of the Machines,” today became three-dimensional reality. The freight doors of the sprawling Orange County Convention Center opened and plastics production machinery and equipment of all types began streaming in. It will all be on display when the show opens on April 2^nd, following the Super Sunday events of April 1^st, and much of it will be running

Most of us who will be at NPE2012 two weeks from now, exhibitors or attendees, will never see the load-in and setup that precedes a show this large. And that’s a shame folks, because it is truly amazing, bordering on the miraculous in fact, that so many machines get set up and go operational in a space of nine days. Anybody who has set up just one machine knows what a stunning achievement this is.

I am assuming you are coming to NPE2012, and that’s because I assume you are a plastics professional who intends to be part of the action as our dynamic industry moves forward. You know that whatever the future brings, plastics will be a leading player. Fortunately for you, the timing of NPE2012 could not be better. Though it is still unsteady, the economy gives cause for optimism, manufacturing is trending upward, and innovation, the catalyst of progress, is where plastics thrive.

NPE2012 is the best single resource you will find until, well, until NPE2015. The machines entering the halls today are the first of an armada made of the best in plastics production technology. The photos show injection molding technology, but by the time you read this thermoforming, extrusion, and blow molding machinery, and every type of auxiliary equipment, also have passed through the freight doors.

Like the plastics industry, NPE2012 is more than its hardware. Materials suppliers offer a strong presence at this show, and increasingly application-specific solutions. In all, over 1,900 exhibitors showing their wares are spread across nearly a million square feet of display space. When you include the areas for such seminars and presentations as the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) ANTEC 2012 Conference, SPI’s Business of Plastics Conference, and the Latin American Seminars in Spanish; the special technology and market pavilions; NPE2012 Technology Theater; the International Plastics Design Competition; five Plastics in Sports demo areas, and all the rest, close to two million square feet of opportunity awaits you.

If it’s in any way plastics-related, it’s at NPE2012, April 1^st through April 5^th at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Assuming that you are plastics-related, you’ll be there too.

Once off the flatbed trailer, the Husky H-MED AE (All Electric) shown below the headline will look like the one seen here, and be the heart of a technology-rich medical workcell running in Husky’s booth.