Members of Eight Plastics Associations Take On Capitol Hill July 24 to Save U.S. Manufacturing Jobs
Meeting with members of Congress during the 2013 Plastics Industry Fly-In, plastics leaders will focus on economic, energy and regulatory issues
So that Washington policymakers directly hear the collective concerns of the plastics industry, the nation’s third largest manufacturing sector, industry leaders from eight plastics associations, will be meeting with members of Congress and their staffs in their Congressional offices on July 24, 2013.
U.S. plastics associations participating in the Fly-In include:
- American Chemistry Council (ACC)
- American Mold Builders Association (AMBA)
- International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD)
- Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association(PPFI)
- Plastic Pipe Institute (PPI)
- SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association
- Vinyl Institute (VI)
- Western Plastics Association (WPA)
The simultaneous presence of these leading plastics manufacturing groups will allow the individual sub-sectors to tell Congress their specific concerns, while at the same time their combined numbers will demonstrate the importance of the plastics industry’s contribution to the overall U.S. economy.
In 2011, the latest full year for which data is available, the U.S. plastics industry generated $380.4 billion dollars in annual shipments, which was a 12-percent increase from 2010. It directly employed almost 900,000 people in 16,298 facilities, with a presence in every state. Approximately 33,700 plastics jobs have been added since the end of 2009.
In terms of trade value, the U.S. plastics industry’s 2011 exports totaled $58.6 billion, which yielded a positive trade balance of $16.3 billion. The plastics sector has proven itself to be economically resilient and has performed significantly better than other manufacturing sectors during the post-2009 uptick in the U.S. economy in which the overall manufacturing sector has led the way.
SPI President and CEO William R. Carteaux says, “It is crucial that the entire plastics industry points out the business challenges and economic difficulties we face directly to those who actually can do something to remedy them -- Members of Congress. When a single bill or law could put companies out of business and employees out of jobs, we feel strongly that we must be proactive in communicating the critical concerns of an industry that makes such a positive impact on the economy.” Carteaux further notes, “Although SPI is providing logistical coordination for this Fly-In, the event is a group effort of all eight associations, and a sign of how we cooperate whenever it makes sense for the entire industry.”
Jon Kurrle, SPI senior vice president of government and industry affairs, says, “Even though manufacturing in general and plastics in particular have helped lead the slight uptick in the U.S. economy since 2009, our members tell us that there is still too much uncertainty for them to make critical decisions about the future. “To support lasting expansion, overall U.S. economic policy must provide the business community with the certainty needed to stimulate confidence, investment, growth and accompanying job creation. That is a key message that the plastics industry leaders will bring to members of Congress on July 24th.”
"Our products provide a host of benefits from preserving our nation's blood supply, to reducing energy, to minimizing America's dependence on foreign oil,” says Richard Doyle, president and CEO of The Vinyl Institute. “We are pleased to work with the entire plastics industry to create a policy framework that will advance the manufacturing, use and responsible recycling of our industry's products."
Participants in the Fly-In will arrive on the evening of July 23rd. July 24th will begin with a breakfast briefing on issues, followed by meetings with Administration officials. Following a lunch briefing, the plastics leaders will move to the House and Senate Office Buildings for their meetings with members of Congress. There will be an evening reception, with members of Congress and other invited guests.
Society of Plastics Industry
(202) 974-5200
So that Washington policymakers directly hear the collective concerns of the plastics industry, the nation’s third largest manufacturing sector, industry leaders from eight plastics associations, will be meeting with members of Congress and their staffs in their Congressional offices on July 24, 2013.
U.S. plastics associations participating in the Fly-In include:
- American Chemistry Council (ACC)
- American Mold Builders Association (AMBA)
- International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD)
- Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association(PPFI)
- Plastic Pipe Institute (PPI)
- SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association
- Vinyl Institute (VI)
- Western Plastics Association (WPA)
The simultaneous presence of these leading plastics manufacturing groups will allow the individual sub-sectors to tell Congress their specific concerns, while at the same time their combined numbers will demonstrate the importance of the plastics industry’s contribution to the overall U.S. economy.
In 2011, the latest full year for which data is available, the U.S. plastics industry generated $380.4 billion dollars in annual shipments, which was a 12-percent increase from 2010. It directly employed almost 900,000 people in 16,298 facilities, with a presence in every state. Approximately 33,700 plastics jobs have been added since the end of 2009.
In terms of trade value, the U.S. plastics industry’s 2011 exports totaled $58.6 billion, which yielded a positive trade balance of $16.3 billion. The plastics sector has proven itself to be economically resilient and has performed significantly better than other manufacturing sectors during the post-2009 uptick in the U.S. economy in which the overall manufacturing sector has led the way.
SPI President and CEO William R. Carteaux says, “It is crucial that the entire plastics industry points out the business challenges and economic difficulties we face directly to those who actually can do something to remedy them -- Members of Congress. When a single bill or law could put companies out of business and employees out of jobs, we feel strongly that we must be proactive in communicating the critical concerns of an industry that makes such a positive impact on the economy.” Carteaux further notes, “Although SPI is providing logistical coordination for this Fly-In, the event is a group effort of all eight associations, and a sign of how we cooperate whenever it makes sense for the entire industry.”
Jon Kurrle, SPI senior vice president of government and industry affairs, says, “Even though manufacturing in general and plastics in particular have helped lead the slight uptick in the U.S. economy since 2009, our members tell us that there is still too much uncertainty for them to make critical decisions about the future. “To support lasting expansion, overall U.S. economic policy must provide the business community with the certainty needed to stimulate confidence, investment, growth and accompanying job creation. That is a key message that the plastics industry leaders will bring to members of Congress on July 24th.”
"Our products provide a host of benefits from preserving our nation's blood supply, to reducing energy, to minimizing America's dependence on foreign oil,” says Richard Doyle, president and CEO of The Vinyl Institute. “We are pleased to work with the entire plastics industry to create a policy framework that will advance the manufacturing, use and responsible recycling of our industry's products."
Participants in the Fly-In will arrive on the evening of July 23rd. July 24th will begin with a breakfast briefing on issues, followed by meetings with Administration officials. Following a lunch briefing, the plastics leaders will move to the House and Senate Office Buildings for their meetings with members of Congress. There will be an evening reception, with members of Congress and other invited guests.
Society of Plastics Industry
(202) 974-5200
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