Celebrating 75 years of connecting the UK plastics industry: Interplas 75 @ 75 Announced

As part of the Interplas 75th birthday celebrations, the occasion has been marked by honouring 75 individuals deemed worthy by the industry itself, based on their significant contribution to advancing the UK plastics sector during the 75 years of the show.   

Nominations were collected via a survey released earlier this year, and out of hundreds of nominations, the 75 individuals below are considered to have made a significant impact to the industry during this period. 

Duncan Wood, CEO, Rapid News Group commented, “Interplas has been a focal point for the UK plastics industry for seventy-five years and as we reflect on that history it is a timely point to recognise those individuals who have played their part in driving the UK industry forward during that period. I congratulate all of those who made the final list, their contributions are appreciated and valued by everyone across the industry”  

Richard Brown, Managing Director at R J Consulting, who has been recognised for his commitment to bringing young people of all backgrounds into the sector, and promoting plastics as an exciting, limitless material, commented: “It is clearly an honour for me to receive this recognition in the Interplas 75@75 from my fellow peers. It is a terrific feeling being approved for the work you have done and are doing. Working in the plastics industry has been an immense journey and this recognition is the culmination of my 53 years in the industry starting as an apprentice, to the boardroom in roles that have enabled me to give back to the industry via training, awards judging and mentoring the future plastic professionals.” 

Mark Guyett, Director at Mouldshop was nominated for his relentless work in educating the industry and providing economically affordable solutions. As an ambassador for UK moulding, he engages with different manufacturers and customers, always trying to meet their needs. Mark commented: “Thank-you so much for this recognition from my peers – I am extremely flattered and will continue to work hard to promote and support this industry that I love”. 

To follow the 75@75 announcement, celebrations will take place on the first evening of Interplas which is taking place at the NEC in Birmingham, 26-28 September.  

Registration is open for Interplas at interplasuk.com 

The Interplas 75 @ 75 

Nominees are as follows (in alphabetical order) 

Note that some nominees have retired from their listed roles, or are receiving the accolade posthumously: 

• Adisa Azapagic, Professor of Sustainable Chemical Engineering, University of Manchester 
• Andy Jewell, Sales Director, Moulders Consulting Ltd 
• Andy Nicholls, Consultant Trainer, RJG 
• Barry Turner, Head of the British Plastics Federation’s Packaging Group 
• Bob Wilson, Managing Director, Boy UK 
• Carl Futcher, Managing Director, PlastikCity & PlastikMedia 
• Carl Reeve, Managing Director, Haitian UK/PMM 
• Colin Robinson, Former Sales Manager, Interplas 
• Colin Tirel, Managing Director Arburg Ltd 
• Craig Ward, Managing Director, Negri Bossi 
• Daniel Williams, Joint MD, Wittmann Battenfeld UK & Ireland 
• Darren Parsons, Managing Director, Agentdraw 
• Darren Vater-Hutchison, Process & Training Engineer, Sumitomo Demag 
• David Bargery, Managing Director, Regis Machinery 
• David Raine, Managing Director, Sumitomo Demag 
• David Williams, Former Master, The Worshipful Company of Horners 
• Dean Meynell, Injection Process Group Manager 
• Don Ansell, Founding Director, Rutland Plastics 
• Duncan Wood, CEO, Rapid News Group 
• Ed Kosior, Founder and Managing Director, Nextek Ltd 
• Eric Fawcett, ICI 
• Fergus Hardie, Chairman, Hardie Polymers 
• Garrick Grove, Director, NDC Polipak Limited 
• Gary Probert, Director, Hi-Tech Automation 
• Gerald Bloom, Owner, Big Bear Plastics Products Ltd 
• Glen Eves, General Manager, Sepro UK 
• Graeme Herlihy, Regional President West Europe, Engel 
• Hardeep Khera, General Manager, Bole Machinery 
• Islyn Thomas O.B.E., Thomas Manufacturing Company 
• Isy Ferguson, Managing Director, Hardie Polymers 
• James R. W. Hendry, Engineer and Inventor 
• John C. Swallow, ICI, Inventor 
• John Goff, CEO, G&A Moulding Technology Limited 
• Juraj Ulik, Technical Manager, Plastek UK 
• Justyna Elliott, Senior Business Development Executive, British Plastics Federation 
• Karen Drinkwater, Director, JSC Rotational Moulding 
• Karl Miller, Motan Colortronic 
• Karl Perry, Founder, Spaceminster and STV Machinery 
• Ken Grace, Editor, British Plastics & Rubber Magazine 
• Lee Thomas, Managing Director, TH Plastics 
• Mark Guyett, Director, Mouldshop 
• Matt Barber, Sales and Events Director, Crain Communications 
• Michael Wood, Recycling Director, IPL 
• Mike Bate, Managing Director, KraussMaffei UK  
• Mike Boswell, Managing Director, Plastribution 
• Mike Jordan, Managing Director, Summit Systems 
• Nick Fox, Managing Director, Piovan UK 
• Nigel Baker, Managing Director, Engel UK 
• Nigel Flowers, Managing Director, Sumitomo SHI Demag UK  
• Nikki Williams, Association Secretary, PMMDA 
• Paul Edwards, Managing Director, Pentagon Plastics 
• Paul Goodhew, Head of UK Sales, Sepro 
• Pete Kirkham, Managing Director, Billion UK 
• Peter Cox, Owner, Peter Cox Associates 
• Peter Davis, Director – General, British Plastics Federation 
• Philip Law, Director – General, British Plastics Federation 
• Pravin S Mistry, Owner, PREA Ltd 
• Reginald Gibson, Researcher, ICI 
• Richard Brown, Managing Director, R J Consulting 
• Richard Hird, Chairman, PMMDA 
• Richard Orme, Managing Director, Distrupol Ltd 
• Richard Perry, Director, STV Machinery 
• Richard Stamps, Director (now deceased), PlastikCity 
• Ricky Thompson, Director, Hi-Tech Automation 
• Robin Kent, Director, Tangram Technology 
• Ron Marsh, Former CEO, RPC Group PLC 
• Sally Bailey, Owner, Common Sense PR and Marketing 
• Sally Beken, Knowledge Transfer Manager – Polymers, Innovate UK KTN 
• Simon Scholes, Managing Director, Conington Environmental 
• Simon Wrighton, Sales Director, Arburg 
• Stephen Hunt, Membership Services Director, British Plastics Federation 
• Stephen Mancey, Consultant, Mancey Consulting Ltd 
• Terry Cooper, CEO, Argo International 
• Terry Pearson, CEO, Gas Injection Limited / CINPRESS LIMITED