Author Archive

Solvay Specialty Polymers Names Chase Plastics as Newest Distributor of Algoflon® L and Polymist® PTFE Micronized Powders

Posted by

Alpharetta, Ga. Dec. 15, 2016 —Solvay, a leading global supplier of specialty polymers, announced today that it has appointed Chase Plastics Services, Inc., a leading stocking distributor of more than 6,400 specialty and engineering thermoplastics, as its newest North American distributor of Solvay™s Algoflon® L and Polymist® PTFE Micronized Powders. This family of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) additives was specially developed to enhance the processing and end-use performance properties of host products and base resins.

To read more, click here.

Chase Plastics Redefines the Giving Season

Posted by

CLARKSTON, Mich., Dec. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — While this season of giving is a time for many to share their support, the weeks ahead are no different for Chase Plastics and their employees. This year alone, Chase employees have participated in multiple charitable causes ranging from Food Drives to No Shave November in support of prostate cancer awareness. With several philanthropic efforts taking place at any given time throughout the year, employees are not only committed through time and donations but the lasting connections they make while helping others.

To read more, click here

Chase Plastic Services, Inc., Forms Chase Plastics de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.

Posted by

Subsidiary Dedicated to Delivering “Outrageous” Level of Customer Service to Plastics Processors and OEMs in Mexico

Clarkston, Mich. (July 21, 2016) – Chase Plastic Services, Inc. announces the formation of Chase Plastics de Mexico, a subsidiary located in Queretaro, Mexico. The new company is dedicated to delivering Chase Plastics’ “outrageous” level of customer service and a comprehensive product line of specialty, engineering and commodity thermoplastics to plastics processors and OEMs with operations in Mexico.

“Although we’ve serviced customers in Mexico for over a decade, we’ve seen a growing number of companies who demand the kind of customer service and support that Chase Plastics is known for throughout the industry on a local level,” said Chase Plastics Vice President of Sales, Alan Arduini. “By forming Chase Plastics de Mexico, we’re better positioned to meet the demand in Mexico for responsiveness, extensive materials knowledge and application expertise. This is a win-win for companies in Mexico and Chase as we continue to grow together.”

Mexico City native and newly named Chase Plastics de Mexico Business Development Manager, Gilberto Granados, leads the new company along with Chase Plastics’ veteran and Southwest Regional Sales Manager William Guenveur. Granados and Guenveur will work alongside a team of technical service/application development engineers and technical sellers who are committed to helping customers source the right materials for their plastic part design development process – ultimately contributing to increased efficiencies, continued growth and profitability. Chase Plastics de Mexico also includes a network of warehouses in Mexico that work in concert with Chase Plastics’ new Central Distribution Center in South Bend, Ind., to ensure prompt delivery of materials, in turn, allowing customers to meet competitive market demands.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to guide the growth of Chase Plastics de Mexico,” said Granados, a 29-year plastics industry veteran who holds an Industrial Chemical Engineering degree from Instituto Politecnico Nacional and a Master of Business Administration from Universidad La Salle. Before joining Chase, Granados served as a product manager for a major resin distributor. “I’m even more excited to demonstrate to an increasing number of customers in Mexico how our highly talented and experienced team, backed by a strong base of quality global suppliers, is there for them. It’s all about helping them succeed.”

Granados’ experience and leadership skills are true assets for the company’s customers in Mexico, according to Guenveur. “Time and again over the course of nearly 30 years, Gilberto has delivered value to companies in Mexico who needed creative solutions to address their material needs and business requirements,” Guenveur said. “His experience and dedication to putting the needs of customers first will help customers get the job done, and also enhance Chase Plastics’ reputation as a go-to supplier of specialty, engineering and commodity thermoplastic resins.”

The Chase Plastics de Mexico announcement follows news in June of Chase Plastics’ completion of its headquarters build-out and its new 126,000-square-foot Central Distribution Center, marking a total investment of $7.3 million to support continued growth.

About Chase Plastics
Chase Plastics is a stocking distributor of more than 6,400 varieties of specialty, engineering and commodity thermoplastics from the industry’s leading manufacturers and global suppliers. Ranked as one of the top 10 plastics distributors in the United States, Chase Plastics is Redefining Resin Distribution® with a business approach that puts customer needs first.

The company, formed in 1992, surrounds customers with an industry-leading portfolio of value-added services delivered by skilled sales professionals and dedicated teams of technical and application development engineers and more – all of whom guide the material selection, application development, and manufacturing processes. The company’s unmatched level of dedicated support, together with blending, repacking, inventory management and logistics services via a network of distribution and sales locations throughout North and Central America, is singularly focused on helping customers boost efficiencies and profitability.

Based in Clarkston, Mich., Chase was founded by Kevin and Carole Chase, who serve as the company’s president and vice president, respectively. Learn more about Chase and its commitment to providing outrageous customer service at ChasePlastics.com.

Chase Plastics Celebrates Completion of Headquarters Expansion & New Central Distribution Center

Posted by

June 10, 2016

Chase Plastics marked the completion of its headquarters facility build-out in Clarkston, Mich., and the opening of its new 126,000-square-foot Central Distribution Center in South Bend, Ind. The $7.3 million combined facilities investment is a testament to Chase’s continued growth and positive business outlook, driven by its commitment to providing “outrageous” levels of service excellence from one of the industry’s most talented and customer-centric teams.

“Our strong growth over the past 24 years is based on teamwork and a business model predicated on highly motivated and very knowledgeable employees who put customer needs first,” said Chase Plastics President Kevin Chase at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Clarkston. “All of us at Chase are extremely proud of the achievement that today represents, and the solid foundation this continues to build for the future of our customers, our company and employees, and the communities in which we live and do business.”

Headquarters footprint doubled

The expanded Clarkston, Mich. headquarters which employs 63 people, doubles the company’s footprint to accommodate projected future growth. Besides its executive offices, the headquarters facility houses Customer Service, Sales Administration, Purchasing, Product Management/Supplier Development, Logistics, Accounting, Credit, Business Process and Human Resources.

A contemporary, open and collaborative first-floor workspace is the cornerstone of the $1.3 million build-out. Designed to bring the interactive teams of customer service, purchasing, product management and technical support closer together, the new environment provides the collaboration and idea-sharing spaces needed to foster innovative solutions that customers need to remain competitive in today’s market.

According to Chase Plastics Operations Manager Laura Goik, “Success always starts with our team members. This has been a guiding principle since the company’s inception and continues to drive our efforts to provide a world-class work environment today. Our goal is to nurture and support our culture, promote team building and collaboration, and make Chase a great place to work.”

It’s a philosophy that led to Chase being named by Plastics News as the No. 1 Best Place to Work in 2016, an award that is based in part on input from its 113 employees corporate-wide.

Central Distribution Center strengthens responsiveness

In addition to its headquarters build-out, Chase marks the opening of its new South Bend, Ind. Central Distribution Center, located at 5245 Dylan Drive. The operation serves as a centralized distribution hub, leveraging a network of 35 public warehouses to deliver materials where and when needed throughout North and Central America.

The $6 million state-of-the-art, 126,000-square-foot facility bolsters Chase’s ability to achieve 99.2 percent on-time shipping, with most orders delivering to the customer the next day. The new warehouse is centrally located in South Bend’s main freight hub, allowing for the latest shipping cut-off times available. It also has expanded bulk material management capacity, doubled the number of loading docks, an integrated modern racking system and broader packaging and storage capabilities. Additionally, the operation incorporates wireless warehousing using a high-speed fiber-optic infrastructure that provides lightning-fast data transfer with virtually unlimited bandwidth.

While customers rely on Chase’s extensive materials knowledge and application expertise, speed is increasingly important. “Our customers look to us to get them needed materials as quickly as possible to maintain their own production schedules and meet delivery commitments to their customers,” says Chase Plastics Business Process Manager Bob Hoff. “The new distribution center, coupled with our staff of logistics experts, enhances our ability to come through for customers. In short, it builds on Chase’s legacy as a trustworthy company that walks the walk when it comes to outrageous service.”

The company has plans to continue to grow and expand in order to maximize efficiencies and accelerate its superior service capabilities and offerings to even more customers. Added Kevin Chase, “As we evolve to reach new heights for our customers, we are truly excited for the road ahead. Behind an unwavering commitment to customers everywhere, we look forward to continuing in our ability to bring “outrageous” customer service to our current customer base while growing our roster of customers across the thermoplastics processing industry.”

 

clarkston-ribbon-cutting

Clarkston Ribbon Cutting: Pictured from left to right, Laura Goik, Operations Manager, Carole Chase, Vice President, and Sherry Cudd, Executive Assistant, ceremoniously unveil the Chase Plastics headquarters build-out in Clarkston, Mich.

south-bend-ribbon-cutting

South Bend Ribbon Cutting: Leaders from Chase Plastics unveil the new 126,000-square-foot Central Distribution Center in South Bend, Ind. Pictured from left to right: Eric Walters, Regional Sales Manager, Alan Arduini, Vice President of Sales, Doug Wright, Regional Sales Manager, Kevin Chase, President, Jeff Shutz, Regional Sales Manager, and Adam Paulson, Vice President.

south-bend-ribbon-cutting-02

South Bend Ribbon Cutting 2: Chase Plastics President Kevin Chase and leaders from the Chase team cut the ribbon to launch the new Chase Plastics Central Distribution Center in South Bend, Ind. Pictured from left to right: Kevin Chase, President, Bob Hoff, Business Process Manager, Mike Hall, Warehouse Manager, and Rich Smith, Controller.

Chase Plastics' Clarkston expanded headquarters.

Chase Plastics Clarkston Headquarters: The Chase Plastics headquarters in Clarkston, Mich. pictured at build-out completion.

 

About Chase Plastics

Chase Plastics is a stocking distributor of more than 6,400 varieties of specialty, engineering and commodity thermoplastics from the industry’s leading manufacturers and global suppliers. Ranked as one of the top 10 engineering U.S. plastics distributors, Chase Plastics is Redefining Resin Distribution® with a business approach that puts customer needs first.

The company, formed in 1992, surrounds customers with an industry-leading portfolio of value-added services delivered by skilled sales professionals and dedicated teams of technical and application development engineers and more – all of whom guide the material selection, application development, and manufacturing processes. The company’s unmatched level of dedicated support, together with blending, repacking, inventory management and logistics services via a network of distribution and sales locations throughout North and Central America, is singularly focused on helping customers boost efficiencies and profitability.

Based in Clarkston, Michigan, Chase was founded by Kevin and Carole Chase, who serve as the company’s president and vice president, respectively.

Eimo Receives Impact Award from State of Michigan and Michigan Works!

Posted by

On April 27, 2016 during a presentation in Lansing attended by roughly 150 people including many state representatives, 24 Michigan companies were recognized for their commitment to creating “more and better jobs in communities across the state”. The ceremonies were sponsored by Michigan Works!

“With employers like Eimo Technologies, Michigan’s future couldn’t be brighter!” said Brandt Iden, State Rep.

“On behalf of the state of Michigan, I would like to thank you for your dedicated service and congratulate this year’s deserving honorees. I am confident that your continued efforts to build a skilled and adaptable workforce in Michigan will positively impact our state for years to come.” – Rick Snyder, Governor

eimo-image-group-photoeimo-image-certificate

“The achievements honored through this year’s awards demonstrate what’s best about Michigan. Innovation, hard work, and a can-do spirit are the hallmarks of our state and its people – and the characteristics of each of this year’s honorees. – Charlotte Mahoney, chairperson, Michigan Works!

Eimo was cited by the state for:
– using STTF funding to provide “scientific injection molding” training to train 29 incumbent workers and on-the-job training for 47 new employees
– investing $8.8 million in the construction of a new production facility in Vicksburg which will create 50 new jobs

Eimo continues to place a high value on our “Strengthen Our Workforce” initiative. As one example we held a Quality Leadership session attended by over 100 key Eimo people on Saturday, April 23 at Vicksburg High School. Lessons of the day included the importance of winning and success in the workplace, the power of positive energy, and making Eimo the best place to work. Eimo also donated an injection molding machine and EDM machine to Vicksburg High School for the Computer Aided Manufacturing class. Investing in young people by creating internships and promoting manufacturing as a career through partnerships with local educational entities such as VHS and KRESA is another important Eimo initiative.

Providing “outrageous” Customer Service, Inside and Out

Posted by

Trends-Topics_2SPE Trends & Topics, May 2016 Newsletter –

In recent years, Chase Plastics has made its way into the forefront of the plastics distribution industry, recently ranking #1 on the Plastics News “Best Places to Work” list. Out of a culture that has remained steadfast since Kevin and Carole Chase started the company nearly 25 years ago, expansive growth has ensued and the industry is starting to take notice of Chase’s ability to consistently take internal and external customer service to new and “outrageous” levels.

Chase Plastics is a stocking distributor of more than 6,400 varieties of specialty, engineering and commodity thermoplastics from the industry’s leading manufacturers and global suppliers. Chase delivers engineering expertise, technical service, application development support, blending, repacking, inventory management and logistics services via a network of distribution centers, warehouses and sales locations throughout North and Central America.

Founded by husband-and-wife team Kevin and Carole Chase in 1992, Chase Plastics is rooted in a culture of excellence and entrepreneurship, and in providing service so “outrageous,” customers can’t help but take notice. Chase is unique in its ability to respond with the flexibility and urgency that plastic processors require, due to its philosophy to consciously eliminate bureaucracy and red tape. For instance, Chase sellers are empowered to make pricing decisions without management approval. In an effort to be more responsive, all calls are returned within two hours as part of a robust callback policy. Chase has earned a positive reputation in the industry for responsiveness, technical know- how and customer focus, which has put the company on a long-term growth trajectory.

Chase Plastics has seen growth in most segments in the past few years, but is starting to see the automotive market make positive strides thus far in 2016. According to Jeff Shutz, Michigan-based regional sales manager, “We are experiencing tremendous growth in our automotive segment. Due to the strength of the automotive industry, our customers are well positioned to benefit from our comprehensive automotive product line. We represent manufacturers who make everything from highly engineered high-heat nylons to glass-reinforced polypropylene.” Shutz added, “Our technical service/ application development engineers have the unique ability to work alongside our technical sellers and the customer to help them source the right product for their application early in the process, slashing time and cost out of the production cycle, which is imperative in the automotive industry.”

To accommodate its aggressive growth, Chase Plastics is finalizing expansion projects at its Clarkston, Michigan headquarters, and at its central distribution center in South Bend, Indiana.

Construction of the organization’s new $6 million state-of-the-art South Bend central distribution center was recently completed. The new facility boasts additional bulk storage space and expanded loading dock capacity, and is strategically located in the city’s main freight hub, allowing the latest shipping cutoff times available.

In Clarkston, Team Chase is putting the finishing touches on a newly built $1.3 million customer-support headquarters that boasts a modern, open and collaborative workspace, and industry-leading customer service and supply chain management technology. Chase was recently named as a recipient of Plastics News’ “Best Places to Work” award. This program surveyed employees at top organizations in the plastics segment in the U.S. and Canada, asking them about employer benefits, practices, philosophies, demographics and policies, as well as employee engagement, experience and satisfaction at the organizations.

Chase’s commitment to providing “outrageous” customer service doesn’t stop with external customers; it is a core value also advocated for internal customers – Chase employees. Alongside more typical benefits, Chase Plastics prides itself on being a fun and happy place to work. The company provides a collegial work environment with basketball competitions, chili cook-offs, barbecues and potlucks, business huddles, cornhole tournaments, a volleyball league and even best-decorated cubicle contests for Halloween and Christmas. Chase started a robust Adopt- a-Soldier program 15 years ago, in which employees collect and send care packages to troops abroad who are protecting our country. Some have visited the Clarkston headquarters upon returning home to thank employees for their support, giving those employees an opportunity to personally thank the soldiers for their service as well.

Download this article (PDF)

Chase Tops “Best Places to Work” Program

Posted by

Chase Plastics, Clarkston, Michigan, a leading stocking distributor of more than 6,400 specialty, engineering and commodity thermoplastics, recently was named No. 1 in Plastics News’ “Best Places to Work” program.

The 2016 program surveyed employees at top organizations in the plastics segment in the US and Canada, asking them about employer benefits, practices, philosophies, demographics and policies, as well as employee engagement, experience and satisfaction at their organizations. The data was analyzed by an unbiased third party to determine the strengths of — and opportunities provided by — participating companies. This year’s winners were announced at the Plastics News Executive Forum in Naples, Florida.

Chase Plastics is currently ranked No. 85 on the Crain’s Detroit Business “Private 200” list, and recently was named one of the publication’s “Cool Places to Work in Michigan.” To accommodate its continued aggressive growth, Chase Plastics is finalizing expansion projects at its Clarkston headquarters and at its central distribution center in South Bend, Indiana. In South Bend, construction of the organization’s new $6 million, state-of-the-art central distribution center recently was completed. The new facility boasts additional bulk storage space, expanded loading dock capacity and is strategically located in the city’s main freight hub, allowing the latest shipping cutoff times available. In Clarkston, Team Chase is putting the finishing touches on a newly built $1.3 million customer-support headquarters that boasts a modern, open and collaborative workspace and industry-leading customer service and supply chain management technology. Both builds are expected to be fully operational by June 2016.

Chase Plastics takes top spot in Best Places to Work 2016

Posted by
Chase Plastic Services Inc. employees on a company outing.

Chase Plastic Services Inc. employees on a company outing.

A newcomer to Plastics News’ Best Places to Work ranking takes the top spot this year: resin distributor Chase Plastic Services Inc. of Clarkston, Mich.

When husband-and-wife team Kevin and Carole Chase founded the company almost 24 years ago, “neither of us knew what we were doing,” Kevin Chase said in a recent phone interview.

But they must have figured it out.

The company just moved into a $1.3 million-dollar expansion that effectively doubled its space in the Detroit suburb of Clarkston to 28,000 square feet. Chase Plastics had operated from just the second floor of its building, atop 14,000 square feet of space that was mostly vacant. The company gutted that area, remodeled it and moved in early in February.

The month before, the firm broke ground on a 125,000-square-foot, “extremely productive, wireless warehouse” in South Bend, Ind. The $6 million facility will replace a 90,000-square-foot building the company had been leasing.

It’s all a far cry from the firm’s beginnings, when Carole Chase delivered materials out of the trunk of her car. Chase Plastics now offers more than 6,400 products in the U.S. and nine other countries. Its 34-plus resin suppliers span the globe.

Chase said sales grew 9 percent from 2013 to 2014 reaching $217 million, and he expects them to exceed $230 million this year. Some of that growth comes from inroads the company has made into Canada, and from the strength of the U.S. automotive market. Chase Plastics specializes in engineering and specialty thermoplastics used in automotive, medical, electrical and electronics markets.

With all the growth, “We’re hiring frequently,” he said. The company’s careful hiring process probably contributes to the staff’s satisfaction level.

“When we talk to prospective team members, we want them to interview us as much as we interview them,” Chase said. The result? “We have outstanding people who are passionate about their work.”

While the couple retains 68 percent ownership in the company today, some employees now are owners, too — which also might also explain why the staff enjoys working there. Owning part of the company “gets you skin in the game,” Chase said.

“It allows them to understand the future of the business; it gives them a seat at the table. One of the worst decisions an owner can make is to think he or she can do it all on their own.”

Some of the five minority owners have been with the company more than 20 years.

“The younger ones are part of the succession plan,” he said.

Even though the company isn’t family-owned, “We do everything we can to treat all of our 110 employees as a family,” Chase said. “We treat them fairly and honestly, with no favoritism whatsoever — we don’t have time for that.”

When everyone’s in balance, “that’s when you can be productive, effective and have a damn good time,’’ he added. “You’ve got to remember that … it’s not about the money; it’s about why God put you on this earth.”

In addition to the benefits one might expect from a “best place to work” — such as medical and prescription coverage for employees and dependents, flexible spending accounts, a health savings account to which the company contributes $250 annually and so on — Chase Plastics offers a 401(k) program, critical illness insurance, bonuses when objectives are met and partially paid gym memberships.

And then there’s the food. And competitions. And competitions involving food.

“We love to eat and socialize,” the company said in its Best Places to Work submission. “You name it, and we can have a competition on it — all in good fun!”

There are chili cook-offs, barbecues and potlucks, quarterly luncheons, cornhole tournaments and ladder golf games, best-decorated cubicle contests for Halloween and Christmas, competitions for the ugliest sweater, best costume and craziest slippers, and a pumpkin-carving contest.

In some not-so-silly activities, employees get paid (and fed) to help out charities such as Habitat for Humanity. They hold food drives and adopt families for the holidays with gift donations and volunteer work. The company sponsors local school and community sports teams, and all the employees participate in an Adopt-A-Soldier program, sending care packages to troops a few times a year. Often, soldiers will come visit the company when they return home.

Keeping employees healthy is one of the firm’s missions. Its annual onsite health fair offers flu shots, biometric screenings and a masseuse.

Find an overview of the selection process and links to other Best Places to Work here.

Best Places to Work 2016

Posted by

Detroit — For the third year, Plastics News has named the 15 best places to work in the plastics industry. This year, Chase Plastic Services Inc. of Clarkston, Mich., tops the list.

Profiles of the top 15 companies will be posted online all this week, although if you want an overview of the top companies, check out The Plastics Blog here.

We’ll also update this story with links to profiles as they’re posted.

BPTWHarrisburg, Pa.-based Best Companies Group independently manages the Best Places to Work project. BCG gathers information about company benefits and activities, and it solicits employee and management input via detailed surveys. The employer survey responses count for 25 percent of the grading, and the employee feedback accounts for 75 percent.

Best Companies Group is an independent research firm specializing in identifying and recognizing great places to work. BCG manages programs worldwide, including the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

PN’s annual ranking is open to plastics processors and suppliers with a facility in the United States or Canada that have a minimum of 15 employees, that have been in business for at least a year, and derive at least half of their sales from plastics.

The winners are honored each year at the Plastics News Executive Forum.