Team 1 Plastics 2025 Year-End Review: A Year of Growth, Investment, and Momentum

As we wrap up 2025, we’re taking a moment to reflect on a year that brought meaningful progress across Team 1 Plastics — from major investments in capacity and quality, to milestone safety achievements, exciting investments in our team, and continued recognition as a top workplace in the plastics industry. This year wasn’t just about “being busy.” It was about building for the future — strengthening our ability to support customers, investing in our people, and continuing to grow as a company and as a positive community partner in Albion and the surrounding area.

THE BIGGEST STORY OF THE YEAR: BREAKING GROUND ON A MAJOR PLANT EXPANSION

In July, Team 1 Plastics officially broke ground on a highly anticipated facility expansion, marking our first major plant expansion since 2016. This is a huge step forward — and a key part of our long-term commitment to growth and customer support. The project will add 11,500 square feet to our facility — representing a nearly 40% increase over the size of our current production and maintenance areas. The additional space is designed to improve operational flow, support increased capacity, and help position Team 1 Plastics for continued growth for years to come. Throughout the entire expansion process, we have remained committed to transparency and communication. We are actively sharing progress through twice-monthly social media updates, including photos and YouTube Shorts that highlight ongoing construction activity and behind-the-scenes views as the project evolves.

For major milestones, we launched our Expansion Series video campaign, providing a deeper look into the project’s progress and purpose. These videos are designed to keep customers, partners, and the community informed every step of the way. Coming soon: Expansion Series – Part 2, featuring on-site interviews with Team 1 Plastics leadership, along with exciting footage of the building taking shape as the exterior walls are erected.

EXPANDING CAPACITY and STRENGTHENING CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Throughout 2025, Team 1 continued to invest in production capacity to help ensure we’re prepared to meet customer demand — now and in the future. Together, these investments reinforce a clear focus: supporting customer growth through equipment, readiness, and long-term planning.

Additional 450-ton molding capacity
In March, we shared the addition of Team 1’s fourth 450-ton injection molding machine, a major milestone that reflects our continued growth and resilience. Later in the year, we celebrated an additional major equipment investment with another new 450-ton Sodick molding machine, further reinforcing our commitment to long-term growth and customer support.

July press investment: 361-ton Nissei machine
In July, Team 1 added a 361-ton Nissei molding machine, continuing our capacity growth with an important investment designed to support customer programs and production volume. This addition is part of Team 1’s long-term commitment to reinvesting in equipment that strengthens our manufacturing capabilities and supports continued growth.

PRECISION and QUALITY: METROLOGY LAB EXPANSION

Growth is more than square footage and machines — it also means strengthening the systems that protect quality and performance. In February, Team 1 Plastics completed a major transformation of our Metrology Lab, including an expansion of 200 square feet, improved layout and workflow, and the addition of advanced tools such as a 3D printer and scanner. These improvements support the accuracy, organization, and efficiency needed to deliver the high standards our customers expect — and they reinforce Team 1’s commitment to innovation, precision, and continuous improvement. The updated space also strengthens our inspection capabilities and helps streamline quality documentation.

INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP and MAJOR MEDIA EXPOSURE: A TRUSTED VOICE ON TARIFFS

Another standout story of 2025 was the national — and international — visibility Team 1 Plastics received through ongoing media coverage related to tariffs and their impact on the manufacturing and automotive supply chain. Throughout the year, Team 1 Plastics Vice President and Co-Owner Gary Grigowski was featured across multiple major media outlets, providing insight on the real-world challenges suppliers face — and helping represent the voice of Michigan manufacturers in an evolving economic landscape. We’re proud that Team 1 Plastics was recognized as a credible contributor to a major global conversation — and that our leadership continues to advocate for the supplier perspective at the highest levels.

Photo courtesy of Detroit News

Detroit News and continued national coverage
In April, Team 1 was featured in The Detroit News, including a video segment with Gary discussing how tariffs affect small manufacturers and suppliers. That spotlight continued through additional coverage in major media sources across the country, reinforcing Team 1 as a trusted voice in industry conversations that directly impacts customers, manufacturing partners, and the future of domestic production.

Photo courtesy of Sky News

International visibility: Sky News
In December, Team 1 Plastics reached a major visibility milestone with international coverage from Sky News, a global broadcaster based in London. This is a huge win for Team 1 — and a rare opportunity to have our company represented on a worldwide stage.

RECOGNITION, SAFETY, and A CULTURE BUILT TO LAST

In 2025, Team 1 Plastics was honored once again as one of Plastics News’ Best Places to Work, earning this recognition for the 11th time — and ranking #7 among processors. This recognition reflects the strength of our culture, our team-first mindset, and our shared dedication to doing things the right way.

One of the proudest moments of the year was celebrating 2,500 safety days, a milestone that represents consistency, teamwork, accountability, and genuine care for one another. We also unveiled Team 1’s “Freedom to Succeed” mural project, a visual tribute to the values and dedication that drive our team forward. As an exciting start to the new year, Team 1 Plastics has again been named one of Plastics News’ Best Places to Work for 2026, marking our 12th time receiving this prestigious award and carrying strong momentum into the year ahead.

INVESTING IN PEOPLE and OPPORTUNITY

Team 1 Plastics continues to invest in our people — because our success begins with the strength, knowledge, and growth of our team. In December, we were honored to receive a Going PRO Talent Fund training grant from Michigan Works! Southwest, helping support training and workforce development at Team 1 Plastics. This grant reinforces our commitment to building skills, supporting advancement, and ensuring Team Members have the resources they need to grow and succeed. Over the course of 2025, six Team Members participated in specialized training funded by this grant, strengthening expertise across the organization and preparing our team for future opportunities.

In July, Team 1 released an employment-focused video titled “Why Team 1 Plastics Is a Great Place to Work,” offering an authentic look at what makes our workplace unique. The video features real Team Members sharing their experiences and perspectives, highlighting the values, opportunities, and culture that define Team 1. To complement the video, a behind-the-scenes article was published on our website, providing a deeper look into the purpose behind the project. The article shares photos from the filming process and introduces the eight Team Members who helped bring the video to life — the voices and faces that represent Team 1 Plastics every day.

TEAM MORALE, ENGAGEMENT, and CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE WORK

Some of the most meaningful moments of 2025 were those that brought our team together and helped celebrate the people who make Team 1 strong. Throughout the year, we continued building culture through morale boosters and team traditions, including monthly theme days, a Team Member Appreciation cookout in July, October’s Halloween costume contest, and holiday happenings such as a Christmas decorating contest and Secret Santa. In November, Team 1 hosted our annual 3rd Quarter Open Book Meeting, where the team came together to share a meal, review financials, celebrate milestones, and recognize service anniversaries ranging from 5 to 35 years — honoring the loyalty and dedication that help drive Team 1 forward.

WORDS FROM TEAM 1 LEADERSHIP and LOOKING AHEAD

As we enter 2026, we’re moving forward with momentum — fueled by a year of major growth, meaningful investments, and an unwavering focus on supporting our customers, team members, community and our people. From expanding our facility and adding new equipment, to strengthening quality systems, celebrating safety milestones, gaining major media visibility, and continuing to invest in our team — 2025 was a year that helped shape the next chapter of Team 1 Plastics. We’re grateful to our customers, team members, partners, and community for being part of our story — and we’re excited for what the future holds.

“Our team continues to step up year after year. In 2025, we set a record for sales which continues our upward consistent momentum over the last couple of years. It was a great opportunity to be featured in national and international press coverage, allowing Team 1 to serve as an important voice for U.S. manufacturing. We are excited about 2026 as we near the completion of our expansion and look forward to growing our business with our current and future customers.”

Team 1 Plastics President Craig Carrel and Vice President Gary Grigowski

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