As Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing turns 10, we're looking back at 10 people who made significant contributions to the industry during the past decade. Read more of our 10 People for 10 Years here.
By Ron Shinn
Matt Seaholm took over as CEO of the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) with an immediate mandate to right the ship.
NPE2021 was cancelled due to COVID-19, and the way it was handled made many of the 2,100 prospective exhibitors unhappy. Association members and some key employees, including chief economist Perc Pineda, left. CEO Tony Radoszewski departed and eventually swapped lawsuits with the trade group.
Seaholm, former VP of government affairs, was appointed CEO in April 2022 and has since rebuilt the professional staff, presided over a sold-out NPE2024 and boosted PLASTICS’ visibility in Washington at a critical time when the industry is under attack from anti-plastics groups.
PLASTICS also has launched a new event, the National Plastics Conference, designed for members of the entire value chain to meet and discuss issues impacting the industry.
Seaholm has stepped up defense of all types of plastics recycling, which he says has come under attack from the same organizations that are assailing plastics.
He has said PLASTICS is now in good financial shape and up to the task of representing the plastics industry in difficult times.
Ron Shinn | Editor
Editor Ron Shinn is a co-founder of Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing and has been covering the plastics industry for more than 35 years. He leads the editorial team, directs coverage and sets the editorial calendar. He also writes features, including the Talking Points column and On the Factory Floor, and covers recycling and sustainability for PMM and Plastics Recycling.
