Know-how 2011-2 by Andrew Wilkins

www.plastribution.co.uk

Issue 01 September 2011

the magazine

A successful cover story Our Innovation. Turn to page 22

0845 34 54 560

In this issue Because business is changing A new look for Plastribution Managing the supply chain Our product list Plastics design workshops

04 10 14 20 32

Mike Boswell

Plastribution Limited

Managing Director

PO Box 7743 5 Ashby Park CEVA House Ashby-de-la-Zouch Leicestershire LE65 1XY Tel: +44 (0) 1530 560560 Fax: +44 (0) 1530 560303 Email: sales@plastribution.co.uk www.plastribution.co.uk

In this issue Because business is changing

Our expertise

Our innovation

Our process

So what next?

A new look for plastribution.co.uk

Price know-how

Plastribution Product Portfolio

Your expertise

Supply chain know-how

You’re hired!

On yer bike

Product list

A successful partnership

Cardia demonstrates its global appeal

A night at the races

A new name for Domo Polypropylene

New Enzymoplast™ masterbatch accelerates biodegradation of plastics

Realising the Granic potential

Will HDPE be the new PP?

Solving the drop-test dilemma

That’s cool

Plastics Design Workshop

This magazine is printed using vegetable oil based inks on paper that contains fibre from sustainably managed forests.

Enabling a multitude of benefits for film converters

Training know-how

Trend know-how

Design: voice www.voicebranddesign.com

The Plastribution teams

Issue 01 – September 2011

Welcome to know-how As you will see in the following

two apprentices in recent months.

that our customers’ supply chain

pages, it has been a busy six

As you will read in this issue, our very

remains as secure as possible.

months in the world of Plastribution;

first apprentice, Lucy Hickling, is a

Turning to technical matters - there

we’re confident that your business

finalist in the apprentice category of

is further good news to report

will almost certainly benefit from

this year’s Plastics Industry Awards,

from this year’s Plastics Industry

many of these developments.

as well as gaining a place in the

Awards. The enclosed feature, on

Nation Apprenticeship Finals.

components for the new Lotus

It is fantastic to recruit such able and

Evora and the development work

This is the first edition of our new magazine ‘know- how’

enthusiastic young talent that will

we have done with Perei Group,

help secure the future success of our

clearly demonstrates the high level

business and continue to provide

of technical expertise we are able to

our customers with great service.

offer UK plastic processors. This project

know-how has been created to

We can also report on progress at a

deliver information, insights and

commercial level: Once again, our

opinion to our suppliers, customers

partnership approach towards our

Meanwhile our initiative to develop

and the industry as a whole. As

customers has been recognised by

a balanced portfolio of materials

well as taking form in the shape

the Plastics Industry Awards, with the

with greener credentials continues

of our new magazine, the term

selection of our work for a customer

to gain momentum. Having a

know-how will be used to visually

in Scotland as a finalist project

comprehensive range enables us to

identify other pieces of expert

for this year’s Distributor Award.

offer excellent advice both to plastic

has also resulted in our selection as a

information designed to support

finalist for this year’s Distributor Award.

processors and OEMs, allowing them

your needs which will be available

In a separate development, we are

to you through many different

also launching a monthly market

channels throughout the year.

report that should provide customers

There is no doubt that the

with useful information about what is

environment is moving up the

This includes advice on pricing and

happening in the polymers market

agenda and we want to play an

purchasing, market intelligence and

and why. Indeed, the inspiration

important part in ensuring a more

innovation, and new and exciting

for this report was the very positive

sustainable future for us all.

general news from the Plastribution

feedback received for a recent

staff. In this months know-how

pricing article in PRW, to which

We hope you enjoy this first issue

magazine we have placed particular

Plastribution made a significant

of know-how and find it useful to

focus on our evolved brand and

contribution.

learn more about what we do

operational changes which you can read about over the following pages.

to select the most suitable solution.

here at Plastribution, and how it Finally we have news of a new

could benefit your business.

partnership with the Logistics On the personnel front, we have

Department at the University of

Regards,

been extremely fortunate to recruit

Hull which will help to ensure

Mike Boswell

Issue 01 – September 2011

Because business is changing What we think is happening...

This is a new decade, an increasingly digital age, a new economy; global markets are shifting, prices fluctuating more violently. Business is changing and this includes the plastics industry. The environment is of major concern, logistics have evolved, product development is more rapid, producers and customers are interacting in increasingly efficient and yet changing ways, and pricing and technical information needs to be found instantly, allowing people to make deals in real time. Now. Yesterday.

We do not think that we can rely solely on the products we sell. Businesses need to be switched on

We want to evolve the distribution

and connected to their partners

model (02) to be supportive, sustainable

constantly. Because of this

and secure, using these market

we don’t believe that we can rely

challenges and developments to the

solely on the products we sell.

advantage of ourselves, our suppliers

We need to communicate the

and our customers – and that’s

additional benefits that help

exactly what we’ve started to do.

our business partners overcome market challenges – be they

We’re embracing these changes,

product led or price driven.

while at the same time working in

Plastribution is evolving to work in

ways to ensure that we continue

these new environments and in doing

to deliver the high levels of service

so we’re actively challenging the

that both suppliers and customers

perceived limited growth potential

are familiar with and deserve.

here in the UK today from the point of view of plastics distribution.

PLASTRIBUTION

SUPPLIER

DISTRIBUTOR

01 Traditional distribution model 02 How we see distribution

CUSTOMER

SUPPLIER

CUSTOMER

Issue 01 – September 2011

New Opportunities

The market continues to create more opportunity for ‘distributors’ through the reduced service offering, on-going consolidation and geographic relocation of polymer producers. We’re working to capitalise on this for the benefit of both our UK customers and ourselves.

We have evolved our brand

Our new look has been designed

Because business is changing and our

to galvanise both our own staff and

business partners need to see that we

our stakeholders, allowing us to

are acting to change with it, we have

engage with customers, suppliers

evolved our brand to one that clearly

and the industry more clearly.

reflects this.

You can see how this looks in practice on our new website and

We wanted to represent ‘how we

every other piece of communication

do business’ and communicate the

literature we use – brochures,

benefits this brings to both suppliers

product guides and even this

and customers more effectively. We

magazine, a more intelligent,

wanted people to see that we’re

informative and constructive

Customers are increasingly telling

working in the ways that we are

publication from the team here

us that they believe service is a

expected to, and our brand was

at Plastribution – we’ve called it

valuable part of supply, services such

felt to be one of the most important

‘know-how’. We hope you enjoy it.

as: - customer specific inventory,

vehicles we could use to do this.

fixed contract pricing, forward

What we learnt…

market information, flexibility to

We embarked on a journey to find

By going through this process, we

meet changing demand, technical

our true brand proposition. By re-

have come to believe that everything

support, logistics, training and

evaluating the distribution model,

we do well is founded upon three

a dedicated sales team that is

thinking about where we really sit in

core values – or pillars of support -

empowered to deliver results.

context to it and listening to what

and it is these that define how we

our customers and suppliers told us

work with our business partners, how

They recognise and believe that these

they cared about, we identified the

we work with each other and how

are the services that will allow them to

things that make us both unique,

we should look and sound. It is also

continue to do business successfully

special and important as a distributor

these that we will look to as we make

and are therefore the services we

in today’s climate. We also identified

decisions about how to build the

should be expected to incorporate

ways in which we could improve

business for the future. We believe

into our own business model in order

further.

that it’s these things that make us both relevant and successful in our

to continue to give them the support they expect when they invest in us.

This in turn has helped us redefine

industry and the things that really

what ‘Plastribution’ really means

matter to our business partners both

on a commercial level and we

now and in the future. They are

have consequently been able

‘Expertise, Innovation and Process’.

to enhance our operational systems during this process.

Issue 01 – September 2011

Our expertise

We’re the employer of choice – which means we get to choose the best. Our expertise is something that all of our suppliers and customers know they can rely on - we’re known in the industry for a recruitment strategy that selects only the best people to work for us. If people leave, they often want to come back again. We’re the employer of choice – which means we get to choose the best.

Why does this matter? Ultimately this

Another area in which we are going

means we’re the best at sourcing

to apply our expertise, in ways that

materials, the best at identifying new

we hope will help, is in our new

markets and the best at managing

price report ‘price know-how’.

and advising on raw materials and pricing. Our people are the experts

When we listen to our customers,

and this is one of the key things that

we learnt that whilst some price

makes us work so well together –

surveys currently exist they are often

internally and externally. We also

difficult to interpret, use foreign

know this approach works allowing

currencies, and often use differing

Plastribution to become the UK’s

units of measurement. This was not

leading distributor.

helping those who needed easy

Having this talent pool available

to understand, up-to-the minute

and in place allows us to promote

Our new sales & marketing

accountability and trust through

communications will often refer to

direct personal responsibility to

this expertise –assuring you that you

You can read about this in more

every one of our staff. We trust them.

have the best people working for

detail on page 11. As well as

This means our people have the

you every time you speak to us no

being a useful tool we believe it

opportunity to protect and grow the

matter what the profile of the project.

showcases our commitment to

fortunes and future of our business,

information that was user-friendly.

transparency and efficient sharing

meaning that they genuinely care

To kick this off, every member of

of information – made possible

about the output, and ensure that

our team now has a ‘snapshot’

by our expertise in this area.

they continue to be the best at what

CV available online. As well as

they do at all times. We can refer to

providing more information about

ourselves as truly consultative business

the people you’re already working

partners to both our customers and

with you can now find out if there

our suppliers because of this.

are other people in our business that can help you in new areas.

Issue 01 – September 2011

Our innovation We’re known in the industry for being able to come up with the ideas that allow things to happen. We seek to innovate at all times. As a result, people come to us when they need to solve problems, when they need to know how to make something work or how to get something to market - it’s a big part of where our new strap line comes from - ‘lets make it work’. We’re known in the industry for being able to come up with the ideas that allow things to happen.

Our innovation case studies give

Innovation is at the heart of what we do. Case Studies We’ve implemented an industry first –

some great insights into what we can do to help you as either a suppler or a customer and how using us as a ‘distributor’ offers far more in terms of solutions provision than you may have thought possible.

‘Our Innovation, Case Studies’. These allow anyone who wants to read

We hope you have time to look at our

Because we believe that innovation is

about a wide variety of projects that

innovation case studies - watch out

absolutely fundamental to supporting

we’ve been instrumental in getting

for more examples of ‘our innovation’

the changes we’ve talked about we

to market – by applying innovative

both online and in future editions

will continue to apply this approach

leadership. These case studies, which

of know-how via our case studies.

to everything you ask us to do in order

can be downloaded from our new

We’re particularly excited about

to ensure we stay ahead of the curve

website, explain which producer was

our recent work with Lotus which

in this changing market. Furthermore,

involved, who the customer was,

you can read more about on page

innovation is at the heart of what we

what the main challenges were and

22 of this magazine – hopefully you

do. We will show evidence of this in

how we worked together in order to

will have seen the awesome car

our marketing communications so

deliver the end result.

in question – the Lotus Evora - on

that we can show people what the

our stand at Interplas 2011.

output of innovation really means.

Issue 01 – September 2011

Our process Su p

01 y pl Sales Executives

We want to tell everyone we work with about our processes, as we believe they truly set us apart from other distributors.

Sales Teams

we have a customer promise that we can back up. As a customer, polymer need, you have access to a team of professionals who know and

Internal Sales Representative

Sales Team

e ic

regardless of your size, turnover or

Our third core value and area of support is evident within our systems of working – we call this ‘our process’. Our processes have been developed carefully and are guarded and nurtured by our specialist teams, using our expertise and innovation in order to suit each different type of customer and supplier.

The difference this makes is that

Delivery

Robust, intelligent, sustainable and unique

Customer Service Representative

understand your business – and, make it their personal responsibility to deliver

To support the communication of

continuous know-how and reliability in

how our processes work, we have

an intelligent way.

simplified the naming of our teams and defined more clearly the ways in

This not only makes our response and

which they work together. This will not

delivery times the best available,

change things for those who already

it also allows us to offer the best

work with us – we have always been

product support and innovation

doing this, but didn’t promote that

services – always there, always

fact as often as we could, until now.

available, always listening. You can read more about our teams

So, why did we define these processes?

Our promise to suppliers is that,

and how they really work in the back

because we appreciate that you

of this magazine on page 38.

need to trust us to reach into areas

Above all, we know that price,

of the market that you might not be

You can also contact Mike Boswell,

availability and flexibility are of

able to reach yourself, we ensure that

Managing Director on

paramount importance in our

we deliver this through a structure,

mike.boswell@plastribution.co.uk for

industry. Because we work in different

local market approach, providing

more information.

ways with our partners dependent

up-to-the-minute market intelligence

on their needs, the ones that know

and sales management systems and

us regard us as both integral and

capability that enable us to become

indispensible because our processes

a reliable extension of your sales arm,

ensure that we always manage these

always delivering your products in

three things perfectly.

the right ways to existing, new and expanding product areas.

These processes are robust, intelligent, sustainable and unique. 01 Sales Teams structure

It’s this unique way of working, specially designed to suit everyone who deals with us, that really makes us different.

Issue 01 – September 2011

So what next?

Because we’re challenging the way people view how things can be done and what this means, we’re ultimately helping suppliers and customers get smarter, better and faster.

Because we’re challenging the way

To Plastribution, acquiring our market

people view how things can be done

leading position means having a

and what this means, we’re ultimately

responsibility, and the opportunity, to

helping suppliers and customers get

set the standards for our industry, not

savvier and more efficient.

just for the benefit of Plastribution, but for everyone else in the industry too.

We believe that taking this attitude to implementing processes that really

We hope you enjoy being a part of

work, always applying expertise and

the journey.

cultivating a culture of innovation in the right way, will not only change the

Plastribution – Let’s make it work.

way plastics distribution works here in the UK but also contribute to securing it’s future. We believe these are the reasons why Plastribution is now the UK’s leading distributor of plastics raw materials, delivering reliability, know-how and true business partnership to the worlds best polymer suppliers & UK customers.

Issue 01 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; September 2011

A new look for plastribution.co.uk In order to improve our service to customers we have completely redesigned our website. We havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t simply applied the new logo, but comprehensively reviewed the whole structure to ensure a smooth user interface. A key part of the website is for us to feature photographs of each member of our team, so that you get to know the people that you are dealing with even better â&#x20AC;&#x201C; after all you are entrusting us with the responsibility of supplying your raw materials; a key ingredient for your business success so we think that it is only fair for you to see exactly who you are dealing with! An important feature is the use of the IDES database to drive the product specifications that are available on the site. This ensures that the information provided is regularly reviewed and updates applied in a timely fashion, ensuring that you are using the most up-to-date information. We really hope that you enjoy using the new site, and look forward to receiving any suggestions for further functionality.

Issue 01 – September 2011

price

New polymer price report from Plastribution The objective of the report is to

available, the aim of this service is

create greater understanding of

to bring together the key factors

what is happening in the UK polymer

that influence polymer prices here in

market, form the basis of discussion

the UK, and a fundamental part of

for Plastribution with customers

the approach is to translate foreign

and suppliers, and also provide

currency based pricing into £ Sterling

information that our customers

at the prevailing exchange rate.

can use in the context of their own commercial relationships.

Important features of the report will include: -

The report will be published on a monthly basis. If you would

• Market overview

like us to directly email a copy

• Sector data (Polyolefins, Styrenics, and Engineering Polymers)

to your inbox then please send

• Supply and demand trends for individual polymer groups with relevant commentary

report@plastribution.co.uk

your contact details to: or subscribe by visiting www.plastribution.co.uk

• Oil prices and any special factors affecting polymer feedstocks • Exchange rate and key UK economic data

1800

1600

1400

600

1200

Crude OilGBP/t Opec–Basket (EUR/t) (EUR/t) GBP/t Crude Oil Opec–Basket (EUR/t) (EUR/t)

1000

Naphtha Spot (EUR/t)

800

400

Ethylene (C2) Spot (EUR/t)

400

200

Polyolefin Basket (EUR/t)

Jul–10

Mar–10

Nov–09 Jul–11

Jul–10

Mar–11

Jul–09

Mar–10

Nov–10

Mar–09

Month

Mar–09

Nov–08

Nov–09 Month

200

Supply

Demand

LDPE

Demand softened in August largely as a result of the holiday season. The anticipated call for price increases at the beginning of September failed to materialise, due to concerns about the global economic situation. The LDPE market remains structurally tight with global under capacity.

www.plastribution.co.uk

LLDPE

Supply remains quite tight, creating the impression of strong demand. Special offers are now unheard of and producers are eager to obtain increases. Middle Eastern material flows are heading in the direction of Asia, so any increase in demand will strengthen the position of the producers here in Europe.

Tel: +44 (0) 1530 560560

GBP/t

Naphtha Spot (EUR/t)

GBP/t

Propylene (C3) Spot (EUR/t)Propylene GBP/t (C3) Spot (EUR/t) GBP/t

600

HDPE

Availability has improved over the summer months, but producers are eager to implement price increases in order to restore acceptable margins. Injection moulding grades remain in very short supply. Price increases are likely.

Email: report@plastribution.co.uk

GBP/t

Ethylene (C2) Spot (EUR/t)

GBP/t

Polyolefin Basket (EUR/t)

GBP/t

Jul–11

800

Mar–11

1000

Nov–10

1200

Nov–08

Polyolefins

GBP/Tonne

1400

Jul–09

price GBP/Tonne

This Autumn will see the launch of a new polymer price report from Plastribution.

Whilst a whole raft of data is already

PP is the softest of the key polyolefins which in part is due to the complexity of the grade slate. After a period of selling off excess inventories there is clear evidence that the high volume grades are starting to come into balance and speciality grades are likely to follow.

Other Polyolefins

EVA remains tight on the back of restricted VAM (Vinyl Acetate Monomer) availability and further increases are expected in Q3 when the quarterly monomer contract is settled. Availability has become slightly better as producers were able to rebuild some inventory over the summer months. mPP and Plastomers follow the ethylene monomer price trend.

Issue 01 – September 2011

The new Plastribution Product Portfolio It will also be possible for customers to download and print portfolios that are either process specific (e.g. injection moulding grades), application specific (e.g. medical polymers), or even market specific (e.g. ‘green materials’).

In addition to a brand-new,

specific (e.g. medical polymers), or

A5-format hard copy of the

even market specific (e.g. ‘green

Plastribution Product Portfolio,

materials’).

which lists materials generically in alphabetical order and with both

Of course the Plastribution team is

manufacturer and brand name

always available to provide advice

indexes, the latest version of this

on all aspects of grade selection

essential guide to the extensive

including design, processing

range of grades available from

and properties. So please do not

Plastribution will also be offered as: -

hesitate in contacting us to discuss

• a USB Memory Stick

your specific requirements.

• a download from

www.plastribution.co.uk

Please remember that, despite our best efforts to do so, it is almost

Both of these electronic versions

impossible to cover every request

will be made based on Adobe PDF

for information on the website

technology with navigation features.

or through the new portfolios,

Moreover, the website will also

particularly as new developments

contain information on availability

are happening all the time.

- enabling users to determine if that particular grade is a standard

If you should be unable to find what

stock item or a custom order.

you require, just get in touch on the phone, email or through the website

It will also be possible for customers to

and, if your request is truly outside

download and print portfolios that are

our remit, we will do our utmost to

either process specific (e.g. injection

point you in the right direction.

moulding grades), application

Product portfolio

Version 1 – July 2011

Issue 01 – September 2011

Your expertise

Career opportunities at Plastribution As part of its strategic growth plan, Plastribution expects to recruit commercial staff who will be based at headquarters in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

Potential roles exist for:-

The successful candidates will have

Commercial Executives – Direct Sales

a desire to contribute to a successful team, whilst a professional approach is also considered essential.

Technical Sales Executives – Distribution Sales

Attractive remuneration packages will reflect both the

Business Development Executives

experience and potential of the successful candidates.

Sales Supervisors All applications will be treated

Internal Sales Representatives

in the strictest of confidence. No agencies please.

Customer Service Representatives If you are interested, please send Individual job descriptions are

your CV and a letter stating which

available upon request.

role(s) you are interested in to: -

The successful candidates will work as part of a highly motivated team dedicated to servicing the requirements of UK-based plastic processors and an outstanding portfolio of global suppliers.

Mike Boswell

The overriding objective in all of these roles is to win new business in a competitive environment by providing service excellence.

Managing Director Plastribution CEVA House 5 Ashby Park Ashby-de-la-Zouch LE65 1NG

Issue 01 – September 2011

supply chain

Managing the supply chain

Katherine White Product Director

During 2010, Plastribution entered into a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Hull University to better understand its logistic and supply chain activities and the value they can create for its customers and suppliers. Know-how spoke to Katherine White, product director at Plastribution, to find out more.

KH: First of all, can you explain what

company, a graduate (commonly

logistics services. This is a pass/fail

a Knowledge Transfer Partnership is?

referred to as the ‘associate’)

measurement of goods arriving when

and an academic. The project

required by our customers in the

KW: A Knowledge Transfer Partnership

typically lasts between 1 and 3

quantity they have ordered and good

(or KTP) is a partially government-

years, depending upon the time

condition. Ensuring a high level of

funded programme that enables

required to deliver real outcomes.

OTIF is critical to our business success,

companies to improve their

and we strive for 100%. A key part of

competitiveness and productivity

KH: What is the focus of

our efforts to maximise OTIF is in the

by accessing knowledge and skills

Plastribution’s KTP?

area of supply chain management

within academic institutions. Its

where we ensure that goods from

overall aim is to help a company

KW: In short, to make sure our

around the world, supplied on

make a step change in an area

customers’ goods get to them on

variable lead-times can be made

that has been identified as a high

time: OTIF is a logistics acronym

available when our customers

priority. This is achieved by creating

for On Time and In Full, and is the

need them.

a three-way project between the

key performance measure for

Issue 01 – September 2011

KH: Why did Plastribution

our existing expertise in sourcing

KH: What will be the benefit of the KTP

instigate the project?

polymers from around the world.

to its suppliers and customers?

An initial approach was made to KW: In 2009 we started to consider

the University of Hull Institute of

KW: We expect that customers

the effects of the change in

Logistics which has resulted in a

and suppliers will start to benefit

geographical location of polymer

successful application for a KTP.

from our improved supply chain

production, which is resulting in

capabilities through both efficiencies

reduced capacities in Western Europe

KH: Who are the partners in

and an improved service offering.

and new polymerisation plants being

Plastribution’s project?

In particular we hope to be

built in the Middle East (close to

able to work more closely with

petrochemical feedstocks) or in Asia

KW: Key to a successful KTP is

suppliers to provide more accurate

(close to increasing demand). The

identifying both the academic and

forecasting information which in

potential impact of these changes

associate with the right expertise for

turn will mean better consistency

are highly significant here in the UK

your business. For our project we

of supply for our customers.

where there is a net deficit of polymer

have chosen to work with Professor

production of almost 2 million tonnes

Chee Wong from the Logistics Institute

KH: When do you expect

and once exports are considered

at Hull University and Lena Fleschhut,

to be able to report on the

imports exceed 2 million tonnes, and

who holds a bachelor’s degree in

outcomes of the KTP project?

any change in location of production

Business Administration and a master’s

will have profound implications on

degree in logistics and supply chain

KW: The project is still at an

supply chain length and complexity.

management. Lena manages the

exploration and analysis stage. After

supply chain project from within

a thorough review of our findings

After careful consideration we

Plastribution for its duration while

we will decide on the next steps

viewed that the challenges presented

Professor Wong regularly contributes

with regard to their implementation.

by these fundamental changes

with his own knowledge and

We expect to be able to report

in the supply chain were in fact

experience as an external resource.

the outcomes in early 2012.

an opportunity for us to build on

Lena Fleschhut

Supply Chain Project Manager

Issue 01 – September 2011

You’re hired! It has been a particularly successful year for Plastribution’s first apprentice - not only is she a finalist in the Apprentice category of this year’s Plastics Industry Awards, but she has also been hired as a permanent member of staff. On the basis of its very positive experience with Lucy, Plastribution is recruiting a further apprentice to support its ambitious growth plans. Lucy Hickling first came to Plastribution in September 2010 as an 18 year old as part of an intermediate (Level 2) apprenticeship qualification in Business and Administration provided by Loughborough College. In what was her first full-time role, she joined the company as a sales co-ordinator in a team covering the south east of England. One of the first tasks assigned to Lucy was a masterbatch project which involved her pro-actively seeking new business. Over the last twelve months Lucy has picked up several new accounts that will generate considerable new revenue for Plastribution and will consolidate its position as the

Issue 01 – September 2011

“As each customer has a key sales contact within their allocated team, we’re able to build a rapport with them that makes them feel genuinely valued. This means they have a level of trust in us that they don’t have with other suppliers” – Lucy Hickling

country’s leading plastics distributor.

Not only has Lucy achieved very

recruit talent that will support our

On top of the “new business”

high results in her work, but she

growth plans for the business and

project, Lucy also looks after over

has also achieved an impressive 5

Lucy certainly has the capability to

70 active accounts. Her

distinctions in her college assignments

develop a career with Plastribution.”

commitment and dedication to

to date. On top of this Lucy has

her sales role is appreciated by

undertaken a number of training

Lucy’s success as an apprentice has

colleagues at Plastribution, as

and development programs during

not only seen her becoming one of

colleague Katy Hawkins, internal

her time at Plastribution, including

the first females to be shortlisted as

sales representative confirms:

an induction course, product

a finalist for this year’s Apprentice

training and buyers course.

category at the PIA (announcement

“Lucy has very good communication

of winner to be made after

skills and has built up an excellent

Mike Boswell, managing director

Know-how has gone to press),

rapport with all of her customers in a

at Plastribution concludes: “Lucy

but has led to her appointment

short space of time. She has made

has already become an asset to

as a permanent member of staff.

an impact on our team by achieving

the business and is a respected

Moreover, it has encouraged

targets that are set for her by winning

member of our team. She has

Plastribution to take on a

new business and adding material

quickly learnt about our business

further apprentice at its Ashby

range to existing customers who

operations and gained a working

headquarters - Sarah Watson

hadn’t previously bought this type

knowledge of our products. Most

- of whom the company has

of material.”

importantly we have been able to

similarly high expectations! 17

Issue 01 – September 2011

On yer bike for a good cause...

Pete Tillin of Plastribution, along

and grew up, and back again.” The

Following their arrival there was a

with his two brothers and a good

first week of July was the timeframe

quick compilation of statistics for

friend, recently completed a 1,000

allocated for the arduous ride. The

the week: 1049 kilometres, 10 kg of

kilometre bike ride to raise money

brothers were joined by their good

sausage, 101 pints of beer , 15 bottles

for two charities, Macmillan Cancer

friend, Kelly Davey, whose stepfather

of wine, 20 hours of sun, 6 hours of

Support and Dorothy House, a local

has recently been diagnosed with

rain, 2 dams, 3 bridges, 4 ferries and

hospice, that had special significance

a cancer of the plasma cells.

4 very tired cyclists! (some of the

to their families. The exact distance,

aforementioned statistics may be

652 miles or 1049 kilometres, was

A quick check of the blog for their ride

more accurate than others?!) More

longer than planned and had the

(http://thetillin1000.blogspot.com/)

importantly, at the time of going

equivalent vertical climbing to that

reveals that dehydration during the

to press, they had raised a highly

of the summit of Mount Everest. It was

heat of summer would never be an

commendable total of around £8,500

completed by Pete and his team

issue for these highly-tuned athletes:

overall with donations still coming

in a remarkable 39 hours and 35

“Day 0 (is that even a day) stopped

in. “We would really like to thank all

minutes of riding time at an average

for a couple of amber beverages

the people that have generously

speed of 16.5 miles per hour.

and are now (several hours later and

donated so far and for supporting

after watching a very eventful start

us on our ride,” says Pete.

“The inspiration for our ride was the

to the Tour De France!) finishing off

passing away of both of our parents

with a nice bottle of Barolo”. From

after long battles with cancer, and

then-on the days cycling principally

my brothers and I wanted to do

through Wales were marked by

something to say thank you to the

numerous culinary and drinking

wonderful people at Dorothy House

highlights, escapades with sheep,

for the care they provided to both our

road signs and mechanical faults on

parents and to repay the hard work

the trip to Ireland (by day 4), where

being done by Macmillan Cancer

the lads fortuitously noticed that they

Support not just in the UK, but around

were also at the source of Guinness

the world,” explains Pete. “The

(which they discovered to have

route we took was from Warminster

unforeseen revitalising properties).

(Wiltshire), where our parents lived for

A day off on day 5 preceded the

many years, to Carrickfergus (near

ferry to Liverpool on day 6 and the

Belfast), where our mother was born

journey home by the end of day 7.

“I wanted to do something to say thank you to the wonderful people at Dorothy House for the care they provided to both our parents” — Pete Tillin

Issue 01 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; September 2011

Donations can still be made by the readers of know-how by following the links: http://www.justgiving.com/Tillin http://www.justgiving.com/Tillin-Cycle-Macmillan

Issue 01 – September 2011

Product list Supplier

Material

Brand Name

Engineering polymers

Bioplastic

Apinat

TPE

Megol

TPO

Apigo

TPV

Tivilon

TPE

Raplan

TPU

Apilon 52

Polycarbonate

Wonderlite

PMMA

Plexiglas

Cyro XT

Clear Polymer

Cyro

Cyrolite

SPS

Xarec

Polycarbonate

Tarflon

POM (Acetal Copolymer)

Iupital

Polycarbonate

Iupilon

request for information on the website or

PBT

Ramster

through the new portfolios, particularly as new

PA6.6

Plustek

PA6 Prime

Plustek

PA12

Plustek

TPE – Highly Conductive

Preseal TPE

The Plastribution team is always available to provide advice on all aspects of grade selection including design, processing and properties. So please do not hesitate in contacting us to discuss your specific requirements. Please remember that, despite our best efforts to do so, it is almost impossible to cover every

developments are happening all the time. If you should be unable to find what you require,

Thermally Conductive Compounds Pretherm

just get in touch on the phone, email or through

Static Dissipative Compounds

Pre-Elec ESD

Conductive

Pre-Elec

TPEE/TPE/TPV

Heraflex

PETG

Raditer E

PBT

Raditer

PBT

Radiflam B

PA6.6 Prime (Italy)

Radilon A

PA6.6 Prime (Germany)

Radilon A

CEVA House,

PA6.6 Industrial (Italy)

Heramid A

5 Ashby Park,

PA6.6 FR (Italy)

Radiflam A

PA6.6 (Industrial) Germany

Heramid I/A

PA6.10

Radilon D

PA6 Prime FR (Italy)

Radiflam S

PA6 Prime (Italy)

Radilon S

PA6 Prime (Germany)

Radilon B

PA6 Industrial (Italy)

Heramid S

PA6 Industrial (Germany)

Heramid I/B

PA6

Radilon S

Email: sales@plastribution.co.uk

PA6

Heramid B

www.plastribution.co.uk

PC/ASA

Romiloy

PC/ABS

Romiloy

PA/ABS

Romiloy

PPS

Susteel

the website and, if we really can’t help, we will do. our utmost to point you in the right direction. Plastribution Limited PO Box 7743,

Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire LE65 1XY Tel: +44 (0) 1530 560560 Fax: +44 (0) 1530 560303

Plastribution Limited PO Box 7743, CEVA House, 5 Ashby Park,

Tel: +44 (0) 1530 560560

Email: sales@pla

Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire LE65 1XY

Fax: +44 (0) 1530 560303

www.plastributio

A3_Line_List.indd 1

Issue 01 – September 2011

Supplier Supplier

Material Material

Brand BrandName Name

Specialities Specialities

Material Material

Brand BrandName Name

PPRCP PPRCP

Capilene Capilene

PPHP PPHP

Capilene Capilene

PPCP PPCP

Capilene Capilene

LDPE LDPE

Ipethene Ipethene

Polyolefins Polyolefins PPPPRecycled Recycled

Aurapene Aurapene

Biohybrid Biohybrid

Cardia CardiaBiohybrid Biohybrid

Biodegradeable Biodegradeable Masterbatch Masterbatch– –UV UVStabilisers Stabilisers