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Team 1 Plastics’ Ethan Austin Earns Mold Maintenance Certification from AIM

Ethan Austin – Tool Maintenance Specialist II

Team 1 Plastics is proud to recognize Ethan Austin, Tool Maintenance Specialist II in the Maintenance Department, for recently earning a professional certification through the American Injection Molding Institute (AIM). Ethan has been a part of Team 1 Plastics since August 2020, and this achievement reflects years of dedication to continued learning and technical growth in mold maintenance.

According to Maintenance Manager Andy Zblewski, Ethan started working at Team 1 shortly after the COVID shutdown as a part-time helper while also working full-time at Little Caesars. At the time, Andy shared that Ethan wasn’t sure what direction he wanted his future to take, but he quickly proved he was motivated to learn and advance. “He eventually became a full-time employee in maintenance doing basic tool cleaning and minor building and machine work orders,” Andy said, adding that Ethan “almost immediately took advantage of training options.”

AIM CERTIFICATION and SPECIALIZED TRAINING

Ethan’s training path eventually led him to AIM, where he completed multiple intensive hands-on courses focused on mold maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting. On December 18, 2025, Ethan officially earned AIM’s certification in Excellence in Mold Maintenance after completing the following trainings:

Ethan’s Excellence in Mold Maintenance Certification – Received on December 18, 2025

Mold Maintenance, Troubleshooting & Repair
Hot Runner Troubleshooting & Repair
Mold Maintenance Strategies
Mold Component Welding, Polishing & Repair
Mold Texture Repair

Ethan explained that his motivation to begin the program came from the influence of others in the shop. “Craig Clem and Jadon [Austin] had taken classes previously and they pushed me in the right direction,” he said. “They were professionals in my eyes.” He also shared that the program was completed over the course of five years, with one class taken each year.

WHY IT MATTERS and WHAT’S NEXT

When asked what stood out most from the training experience, Ethan said the most valuable takeaway was learning the importance of consistent documentation and tracking. “That was the most beneficial part—the last class—documenting and keeping track of things extensively,” he said, explaining that strong documentation helps maintenance teams stay proactive rather than constantly reacting to problems. Ethan also emphasized how mold maintenance directly impacts production performance and customer satisfaction. “Cleaning molds properly means wearing molds down less,” he said. “This will prolong mold life and how long it can run before being torn apart and cleaned.”

Ethan Austin and Team 1 Plastics Maintenance Manager Andy Zblewski

Andy shared that Ethan’s growth over the years has been impressive, and that he has become an important part of the maintenance team. “He has grown significantly… and is now a key part of the Team 1 mold maintenance team,” Andy said. “I am very proud of what he has achieved, and I look forward to what his future brings.” Ethan plans to continue building on his training through AIM and is especially interested in future coursework related to process problem solving and mold design.

Team 1 Plastics is proud to support continued training and development opportunities that strengthen our team and better serve our customers. Congratulations again to Ethan Austin on earning this outstanding certification and professional milestone.