Daily Pioneer News

Majid Tabrizi, director of the UW-Platteville Center for Plastics Processing, explains the operation of the new state-of-the-art thermoformer.

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Plastics Processing Technology Center recently received a gift of a new state-of-the-art thermoformer from MAAC Machine in Chicago, Ill., and the thermoforming division of the Society of Plastics Engineers. Additional funding for tooling and materials will come from the thermoforming industry, including an ongoing commitment from Plastic Ingenuity, Inc. in Cross Plains. The value of the equipment will exceed $50,000.

The gift comes as UW-Platteville is increasingly being recognized as a major influence in the world of Wisconsin plastics processing. According to Majid Tabrizi, professor of industrial studies and director of the UWP Center for Plastics Processing in the College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture, Wisconsin is rated between eighth and 12th in plastic manufacturing in the nation. It is the fourth largest industry in the state, with over 700 plastic and plastic-related companies employing over 52,000 people. Total sales exceed $3 billion annually. Over a dozen companies rank within the top 100 companies nationwide, and that figure doubles if Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota are included.

Significantly, almost 30 percent of jobs in the industry are in companies within 250 miles of Platteville, and UWP is one of the few universities in the region training students for this industry. Gene Schoohs, engineer manager for Plastic Ingenuity, Inc., explained why his and other companies continue to support UW-Platteville's plastics technology program. "We're living in a global society which is becoming more and more competitive. We have to be able to have highly qualified people and the UWP plastics program is a strong contributing factor in being able to do that. We find your graduates have the strong technical background we need to come in and help us build on our knowledge and experience," Schoohs said.

The center's laboratory is equipped with over $1 million worth of plastics equipment, making it one of the best equipped in the upper Midwest. Those assets, along with the expertise of the UWP faculty, make the Center a resource that provides a variety of technical services, including periodic training programs for the business community. In fact, this summer, the center offered six workshops related to thermoforming through the continuing education department.

Anyone interested in learning more about the UWP Plastics Processing Technology program may go to www.uwplatt.edu/cfppt or call Tabrizi to request an informational CD at (608) 342-1115.

Contact: Majid Tabrizi, director, Center for Plastic Processing Technology, (608) 342-1115, tabrizi@uwplatt.edu Prepared By: Evelyn Martens, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194,martense@uwplatt.edu