Thermoforming Report

by Keith Brown, President & Owner, Siena Group

Well, it’s in the books – another SPE Thermoforming Conference complete! While I haven’t personally organized an event like this, I’m confident the Board members, planners, and participants are relieved to see how well it all came together. Coordinating so many moving parts is no small feat. Congratulations to everyone who attended, and sincere thanks to those who contributed – especially over the past few intense months of planning.

This was, regrettably, my first time attending. Still, I came away feeling that the time, energy, and focus I invested were well worth it! Taking time away from work isn’t easy. For some, it may have felt like just “another week, another show,” but I believe that for most, it was time well spent!

With that in mind, I’d like to share a few thoughts and takeaways – offered from the perspective of someone somewhat familiar with the industry but new to events like this one.

Thin-Gauge Representation: A Missed Opportunity

As I stepped into the conference, it quickly became clear that the majority of attendees were involved in the heavy gauge side of the business. From the conversations and questions throughout the event, this seemed to be the norm. While I haven’t crunched the numbers, the industry overall is likely split around 80/20 or 70/30 in favor of thin gauge. Yet at the conference, the ratio felt flipped—closer to 80/20 in favor of heavy gauge. There are certainly valid reasons for this, but it also seems like a missed opportunity for the many thin gauge companies that weren’t represented.

Conference Highlights & Takeaways

One of the biggest highlights was meeting, in person, several people and companies that I’ve worked with over the years. Yes, I know it’s a simple thing, but shaking someone’s hand is quite different than being on the phone or via a video feed. This is not profound nor overly insightful, but it doesn’t make it any less important!  Those face-to-face moments go a long way to strengthen professional relationships. I was even surprised by a few candidates I’ve supported who came up and introduced themselves – an unexpected and welcome encounter!

Another highlight was getting to meet and network with so many other people.  Again, though expected and planned, it remains a key takeaway for me. I’ve supported the thermoforming industry for over 9 years at this point… and I’m clearly a newbie in the industry! The heritage and pride that flows out from the vendors and processors was evident everywhere. Most of the vendors were the supporting cast – tooling, equipment, materials, and more. But it was helpful to listen to and hear their perspective on the event and on the industry. 

I also enjoyed the time meeting and chatting up the college students competing in the RC car races. I figured out quickly what they were doing there (it wasn’t obvious to me initially from the literature) and enjoyed their enthusiasm for their work and their overall energy.

A Tight-Knit Community

What struck me most was the sense of community – even among competitors. It felt like a friendly, high-stakes poker game. Everyone knows each other, shares a drink, swaps stories. But when the cards hit the table, the game is on. And when it’s over, win or lose, you’re back to laughing over another beer.

The competition is real. The money is real.

But, what binds the group is a shared respect for the work – growing small businesses, developing innovative products, and advancing the industry together. The connectedness is palpable, and it’s clearly been cultivated over the past 30 years. 

And my goodness, Don Hylton – the person who won Thermoformer of the Year award?!? It took 10 minutes to just read through his accomplishments! That guy has been working and innovating new polymers and substrates and testing methods for decades. Highly accomplished and key contributor to the industry is an understatement! Congrats to him and his family (he had a bunch there to relish in his recognition)!

Final Thoughts: Time Well Spent!

Overall, it was a valuable opportunity to learn and experience more of the thermoforming world. I reconnected with Rich Rohn, someone I worked with years ago, and had the chance to spend time with Conor Carlin as well – another recent collaborator. I also met many new people and gained insight into the challenges of running a manufacturing business, especially during the Executive Forum session. 

From reconnecting with longtime colleagues to meeting new faces and witnessing the genuine camaraderie among competitors, it’s clear that thermoforming is much more than just a business – it’s a community! While there’s room to grow, especially in expanding thin-gauge representation, the passion and innovation I witnessed give me confidence in the industry’s future.

All in all, I’m pleased to have attended and look forward to other industry shows and conferences as I continue my journey supporting the thermoforming world!

At Siena Group, we are your Thermoforming Talent Partner! We’re here to help in any and every way possible! With more than 30 years of experience in manufacturing, hiring & recruiting talent, we bring a greater understanding of the companies we partner with and the candidates we pursue. Let’s Strengthen Your Search!