Internet sites and business issues relevant to Canadian processors and moldmakers (September 01, 2000)
By Cindy Macdonald, Associate Editor
WHAT ARE YOUR PEERS UP TO?A quick, random visit to four web sites of Canadian processors shows that the Internet is being used as a marketing tool. Most of those I visited were simply an on-line versi...
WHAT ARE YOUR PEERS UP TO?
A quick, random visit to four web sites of Canadian processors shows that the Internet is being used as a marketing tool. Most of those I visited were simply an on-line version of a brochure or catalog. That’s a valid use for a site, because it makes that information available to a global audience.
The most detailed and professional site I came across in this short foray was from Stanpac(1). Stanpac apparently is a packaging company with an emphasis on diaries and wineries. The site is visually pleasing and considerate of visitors. On the opening page, for example, you have the option of loading and viewing a “Flash” introduction or not. If you view it, it shows rather creative use of the company’s logo opening up to resemble a conveyor line of bottles.
Another feature of Stanpac’s site you may want to use as a model is the on-line application form for job seekers.
Alican Mould and Plastics(2) is a custom molder with machining capability, so in addition to information about the company it has included an on-line request-for-quote form.
Medical manufacturer and custom molder Southmedic Inc.(3) has a clean, professional design that presents a good image for the company and outlines most of the key points for its medical customers, while also building up its capabilities as a custom molder.
Chester Plastics Ltd.’s(4) site has the potential to put the Internet to good use by presenting a catalogue of its molded and thermoformed products. Visually, the site doesn’t reflect any personality or Chester’s market focus on trays for the bakery industry.
A FOCAL POINT FOR STEWARDSHIP
In a functional format, Ben Bennett Communications had pulled together an impressive collection of information on waste management and product stewardship. It could be a good place to start researching the topic, or to keep abreast of national and international trends. The organization publishes a monthly newsletter called Product & Packaging Stewardship Review and has put back issues of the newsletter and links to provincial organizations on a web site(5). PPS Review contains opinion pieces and often gives highlights of relevant studies. Mentioned in the July/August newsletter are a study of plastics beverage container recycling in B.C., administered by the Recycling Council of British Columbia(6) and a report on recycled content in plastics released by the Environment and Plastics Industry Council(7).
EXPERTS SPEAK ON E-COMMERCE
Canadian Plastics presents an e-commerce panel as part of its Resin Outlook Conference on Oct. 17 in Mississauga, Ont. Topics include: Can you get the best prices online?, business models for online purchasing, and what does the future hold? To register, call 416/463-6696.
Another event, sponsored by the Canadian Plastics Industry Association, KPMG and the Toronto-Dominion Bank, will discuss how e-commerce will change business in the plastics industry. The half-day session takes place Oct. 5 in Mississauga. Contact Erin Cimino, CPIA at 905/678-7405.
