2022 Served as a “Year of Successes” for Team 1 Plastics
With 2022 ending, many of us may have asked ourselves “where did the year go?” It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the end of 2021 with hopes that 2022 would bring us a better year. Team 1 Plastics, a plastic injection molding company for the transportation industry, made those hopes come true in 2022. The company was fortunate to experience many successes throughout the year: celebrating 35 years in business, reaching sales and safety milestones, maintaining a strong focus on Team Members, keeping community a priority through sponsorships and event involvement, and numerous multimedia features. Additionally, 2023 sales look to be optimistic for the company, with the launch of new customer programs and a hopefully stabilized supply chain.
35 YEARS IN BUSINESS
December 1, 2022, marked the 35th Anniversary for Team 1 Plastics. This achievement was recognized during the company’s Annual Open Book Meeting in November with an updated history video titled “35th Anniversary: A Look Back at Team 1 Plastics.” The milestone anniversary was also recognized when all Team Members in attendance rededicating themselves to the core principles known as the Championship Dream, by signing a commemorative document and banner. Additionally, Team 1 updated the marker plaque for the time capsule that was buried on its 30th Anniversary in 2017.
2022 CELEBRATIONS & SUCCESS IN SALES
The past year has been “a year of successes” for Team 1 Plastics. In May, the company held a dual celebration to recognize two major achievements for 2022: 1500 consecutive safety days without a lost time accident and being awarded Plastics News’ Best Place to Work (BPTW) title for the eighth time. This year, Team 1 received its highest ever BPTW ranking, coming in at the #4 processor for the year!
Team 1’s Sales Department had great success in 2022, particularly during the month of August. It was in this month when the company set an all-time sales record; its best month since opening for business in 1987. Additionally, the Sales Team brought on some new customers and much of the awarded work for the year included transfer work and assembly projects. Team 1 was also awarded larger tonnage work for the newest 450 Ton molding machine and saw growth in the non-ICE and electric vehicle sectors.
TEAM MEMBER FOCUS
Photo courtesy of Ritzenthaler Studios
Team 1 Plastics considers its Team Members to be its greatest asset, with “Team Member Success” being one of the four core values in the company’s Championship Dream. Team 1 believes that “Building an exceptional company is the result of building exceptional teams with exceptional people.” During the Annual Open Book Meeting in November, the company recognized thirteen Team Member service anniversaries, from 5, 10, 15, 25 and 35 years. Team 1 also utilized the company website’s News Page throughout the year to highlight its stellar team. These articles included introducing new Team Members, Profiles of existing Team Members, highlighting numerous departments, honoring veteran Team Members, bidding farewell to retiree Harry Martin, and honoring the extensive volunteer work of Maintenance Manager Andy Zblewski.
Team 1 Plastics would like to thank each and every Team Member for your hard work and dedication to the company.
We could not thrive without your continued focus on safety and commitment to success!
POSITIVE COMMUNITY MEMBER
Another core principle of Team 1 Plastics’ Championship Dream includes being a “Positive Community Member.” Focusing its financial contributions to the local community, the company believes that “Team 1 has an obligation to be a strong positive influence on our team members’ families and their communities.” 2022 served as an opportunity for Team 1 to continue giving back to the local community through sponsorships and involvement in local events. Contributions for the year were made to the following organizations/events:
Albion’s 3rd Annual Eggstravaganza!
Walk the Beat Street Music Festival
Albion Historical Society’s Gardner House Museum Golf Tournament
Black Squirrel Bluegrass and Americana Music Festival
Michigan History Conference
Merry Mile
South Michigan Food Bank
Albion Aglow Parade
Toys for Tots
Festival of the Forks
Swinging at the Shell
Easter Baskets for Little Lambs of Jesus Daycare
Albion Independence Day Fireworks
INNOVATE Albion
Albion Community Foundation de Nicola gift
Bells at the Bohm
PRESS HIGHLIGHTS
Team 1 Plastics spent 2022 focusing on making their online presence stronger. Throughout the year, the company received notice from numerous publications, including a featured article in Issue 2 of Plastics Business Magazine titled “An Effective Approach to Toolmaker Evaluations.” Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing and Plastics Business Magazine also highlighted Team 1 in February with three online articles and a Q&A with Engineering Manager Dave Seedorf, titled “Automation in Plastics Molding Plants.”
Additionally, Team 1’s President and Co-owner Craig Carrel was quoted in a Crain’s Detroit Business article discussing the takeover of EVs, and how this may lead to the end of small businesses whose main focus is non-EV manufacturing. Carrel also served on three separate discussion panels while attending the 2022 Plastics News Executive Forum in March and the Injection Molding & Design Expo in May. While on the panels, he tackled subjects such as labor issues, the industry’s skills shortage, preparing for the future, and what makes a successful molding operation.
OPTIMISTIC FOR 2023
2023 looks to be another “year of successes” for Team 1 Plastics. Not only is another 450 Ton molding machine set to arrive at the facility this month, but there are many potential new customers on the verge of being landed. The company is also seeing an increase in quotes for non-automotive and electric vehicle applications. All of these factors, combined with the easing of supply chain and resin shortages, it is no surprise that Team 1 is optimistic for the year ahead.
For more information and to stay up-to-date with Team 1 Plastics, subscribe to the News Articles and Plastics Pipeline blog on their website or follow the company on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube)
Danielle Sheldon says:
Jeffery Carrel says:
Jeffery Carrel says: