People News (January 01, 2006)

Steve Joest has taken a position as technical sales manager, coatings and plastics, for Eckart America Corporation. In his new role, Mr. Joest will help deliver solutions from Eckart America’s range of pigmented pastes, dispersions, and pellets.

Negri Bossi Inc. (Canada) has signed Nick Doiu of Plastic Automation Eng. Inc. to represent the firm’s complete line of products. These include the Canbio line of toggle-hydraulic machines, Elma line of all-electric machines, Vector line of hybrid electric-hydraulic machines, Bi-Power line of 2-platen machines, Canbimat multi-injection line, the Spirex Twinshot “Single Screw Co-injection” process, and all its automation products.

Plastic Automation Eng. is also working with Niedermair Plastic Technologies to represent, exclusively in Canada, a water-assist injection system made by PME Fluidic of Germany.

Strongsville, Ohio-based Demag Plastics Group has named Brian Bishop as the new president of its North American-based operations. Bishop had served as interim president since March 2005. Bishop joined Demag as vice-president of sales in 2003, and was promoted to executive vice-president of sales and aftermarket in January 2005.

Well-known plastics equipment sales professional John Lalonde died suddenly of an apparent heart attack on December 16 at the age of 55. John is survived by his wife Dorothy (Dot), sons John Bradley and Jeffery James, and grandchildren Bradley John and Tyler Jack.

The Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. (SPI) has promoted Walt Bishop to the position of vice-president in charge of trade shows. Mr. Bishop replaces Jordan L. Morgenstern, who recently retired.