Western Canada industry figure passes

John L. MacKenzie, a pioneer in the plastics industry in Western Canada, passed away on April 8, at the age of 80. MacKenzie got his start in the industry in 1950 working for Pilgrim Products, before moving on to CIL. In 1962, MacKenzie formed Seaforth Plastics, developing it into one of the largest polyethylene film operations in Western Canada. He sold the company to Crown Zellerbach Canada in 1971, but was placed in charge of operations at the company, which continued to run under the Seaforth name.
In 1975, MacKenzie founded Gulf Plastics Ltd., entering into the production of polystyrene egg cartons and meat trays. He sold the polystyrene foam business to Canadian Keys Fibre in 1979. Gulf Colour, MacKenzie’s next venture, was the first color and additive manufacturing plant in Western Canada. He sold the company to M.A. Hanna in 1988.
"John was highly respected and had a lot of friends across Canada and the United States," said Kelly Kyle, president of KCS Plastics Ltd. Kyle worked with MacKenzie at Seaforth Plastics and was a partner with him at Gulf Colour. "He will be greatly missed."