Contact: Paula Weis
(202) 974-5282

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPI'S GLOBAL BUSINESS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES 2005 TRADE MISSION AGENDA

WASHINGTON (February 18, 2005) - The Steering Committee of The Society of the Plastics Industry Inc.'s (SPI's) Global Business Council (GBC) today announced plans for two trade missions in 2005. Building on the success of past trade missions, the GBC has targeted two markets: China and Singapore.

The China trade mission will be held June 15-June 22, 2005, and will coincide with ChinaPlas, the largest plastics and rubber trade show in Asia. GBC will sponsor a trade mission to Singapore later in the fall.

"We believe the continued growth of the Asian plastics market makes China and Singapore good candidates for trade missions this year," said Glenn Starkey, director of engineering and sales for Progressive Components and Chair of the GBC Steering Committee. "China obviously presents a number of challenges, but the best way to address these challenges is to understand what's happening in that market. Singapore, located midway between India and China, also offers great opportunities, particularly for small and medium-sized companies seeking to establish a regional Asia hub."

"Trade missions are an important component of the GBC's programming," said Karen Toliver, SPI's senior director for international trade and industry statistics. "They are designed to provide plastics industry participants with first-hand knowledge of developments and business opportunities in overseas markets."

Charged with increasing global awareness and competitiveness by providing resources to SPI members, while fostering growth of the plastics industry worldwide, the GBC is the association's International Trade Committee. GBC's Steering Committee is the governing body that coordinates all GBC-related activities.

"Globalization of the plastics sector demands that we provide this educational opportunity to SPI members," added Starkey. "Whereas ten years ago, a U.S. plastics company might not have thought it a priority to develop a global business strategy, this is no longer the case today. Understanding global competitive forces is key to sustaining profitability in whatever segment of the plastics sector a company operates."

Next year, ChinaPlas will move to Beijing, and the GBC already plans to sponsor a third consecutive mission to China to complete the ChinaPlas three-year cycle. In addition, the GBC is planning to organize a trade mission to another emerging plastics market, with Eastern Europe, India and South Africa identified as possible future destinations.

"We want to ensure that our trade missions help U.S. companies explore opportunities that will positively impact their bottom line ahead, and therefore, are well worth the investment now," said Starkey. "There are sales and growth opportunities to this massive market, and one cannot learn what is available to their company without getting their feet on the ground. Trade missions are the fastest and easiest way to gain global exposure and perspective so that one's company can remain viable and growing, both in the U.S. and abroad."

To learn more about GBC programs and the upcoming mission to China, link to the Web at http://www.plasticsindustry.org/business/international/index.htm, or contact Karen Toliver, (202) 974-5333; ktoliver@socplas.org.

Founded in 1937, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., is the trade association representing one of the largest manufacturing industries in the United States. SPI's members represent the entire plastics industry supply chain, including processors, machinery and equipment manufacturers and raw materials suppliers. The U.S. plastics industry employs 1.4 million workers and provides nearly $310 billion in annual shipments. For more information, visit SPI on the Web at www.plasticsindustry.org.

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