media release

Date: October 28, 2020
Contact: Courtney Karr, Director of Marketing and Education, +913.345.1005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IAPD Announces 2020 Education Circle of Champions Award Recipients

OVERLAND PARK, KS - The International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD), the international trade association comprised of companies engaged in the distribution and manufacturer of performance plastics, is pleased to announce the following member companies as the 2020 Education Circle of Champions Award recipients:

Gold Award Recipients
- Cope Plastics, Inc.
- Curbell Plastics, Inc.
- Piedmont Plastics
- Polymershapes

Silver Award Recipients
- CartierWilson LLC
- Redwood Plastics and Rubber

These six companies were selected for their commitment to continuing plastics education and sales training through IAPD's certificate programs and education resources. They were recognized in a special video presentation on October 28, 2020.

"The IAPD Education Committee would like to extend a whole-hearted congregations to those member companies who recently received the Education Circle of Champions award. Employers that invest in education and training programs are proven to have higher levels of employee engagement, increased profitability and are generally better places to work. By taking advantage of the opportunities for learning provided by the IAPD, you’ve demonstrated your commitment to excellence within your organization and the performance plastics industry as whole,” said IAPD Education Committee Chair Chad Roberts.

The Education Circle of Champions has three award levels: Gold, Silver and Bronze. The criteria are demanding, so it is significant that four companies achieved the Gold Level and another two achieved the Silver Level.

"The continued success of the IAPD Circle of Champions award is a testament to the value our members place on education and training," said IAPD CEO Susan E. Avery, CAE. "This year's winners have gone above and beyond by advancing not only their own employees but the performance plastics industry as a whole. These awards as well deserved."

Companies earn points by participating in any number of training and education activities, including:

- Establishment of a new company wide training program.
- Companies with existing training programs can earn points by establishing a new program in addition to current programs or by upgrading/replacing a program.
- Establishment of a new internship program (headquarter or branch level or company wide). This option can be met at a company where no internship program existed previously.
- Establishment of relationships with schools/universities and/or conducting university/student outreach to promote the plastics industry.

About IAPD

The International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD), established in 1956, brings together performance plastics distributors, fabricators, manufacturers, manufacturers’ representatives, recyclers and service providers in an environment which encourages a free flow of ideas and information that help members build their businesses. Every program and service we provide is designed with the simple goal of helping our members increase profitability. Membership in IAPD is an affordable business investment. IAPD provides training, connections with customers and suppliers and information about developments that impact the industry. For more information, visit www.iapd.org.