9
“Without ourResin andMaterialsLabs, itwould
bedifficult for Plenco to function effectively. The
labs are absolutely essential toprovidingquality
products and customer services thatwill assure
continued future success of the company.”
MikeBrotz ~President andCEO
M
ike Brotz made it clear in an interview with
PlastiScope21
on September 16: “The future of
Plenco is not necessarily about developing entirely
new products, but about making our existing products better.
Our Resin and Materials Labs are more focused on applied
research, not basic research.”
That brought backmemories of our science teacher in high
school. Remember what we were taught? “Basic research is
focused on knowledge for knowledge’s sake. Applied research
is conducted toprovide knowledge that canbe used!”
Looking back on almost 80 years of Plencohistory, it’s clear
that research, development andpractical innovationshavebeen
part of the PlencoDNA. They have supplied knowledge that
has been used inmaking Plenco phenolic resins andmolding
compounds aworld leader.
In themid-1950s, PlasticsEngineering createdwhat are now
known as the Polymer Science and Technology Laboratory
(ResinLab)managedby
TedMorrison
, Ph.D. and staffedby19
highly trained Plenco team members, and the Materials
Engineering Laboratory (Materials Lab) headed by
Tom
Olmsted
that includes 11 experienced engineers and technical
experts. (See sidebar listing of Resin Lab and Materials Lab
personnel onpage 11.)
The Resin Lab is at the core of Plenco’s research and
development facilities for production of prototype resins,
including those designed for specific applications. In close
Cheryl Skarda,Analytical ServicesSupervisor, PlencoResin Lab, examinesmolded test part.
