GW Plastics Grows in Vermont with Successful Technical Development Programs

GW Plastics has partnered with Vermont Technical College on many workforce development initiatives, including a GW-funded scholarship and paid summer internship program for engineering students, allowing them the possibility to graduate debt-free. In addition to funding education and providing real work experience, the company also helped to fund the GW Plastics Advanced Manufacturing Lab on campus for continued hands-on manufacturing experience in the classroom.

Both the company and college are starting to see the fruits of their labors. This year, GW Plastics hired three engineering students directly upon graduation from Vermont Tech in the areas of quality, mold-making, and operations. One of the new hires, Greg Johnson, was a GW scholarship winner and summer intern, and has now joined his father, 27-year engineering veteran Bill Johnson, as a full-time engineer at GW Plastics. President/CEO Brenan Riehl was asked this year to be the Vermont Technical College keynote commencement speaker, and welcomed the newest GW team members at their graduation. GW now employs over 20 Vermont Tech graduates. One of the finest technology colleges in the country, Vermont Tech consistently places their graduates with leading employers such as GW Plastics year-over-year. During his commencement speech, Riehl enthused the Vermont Tech graduating class as the "ninety niners", reflecting the fact that last year, Vermont Tech placed 99 percent of their graduates.

"The technical labor shortage is starting to hit companies around the country, and recruiting for these types of technical positions is challenging in a rural area such as Vermont," said Cathy Tempesta, GW Plastics VP of Human Resources. "To stay ahead of the curve, we needed to create a pipeline of technical talent, and we are thrilled to now be hiring these talented engineers from a college we highly respect."

"We are thrilled with our partnership with GW Plastics," commented Patricia Moulton, President of Vermont Tech. "GW recognizes the importance of investing in their most important asset: their people. The company is supporting their incumbent workforce with advanced educational opportunities, as well as investing in their future workforce through scholarships and internships. This is a recipe for success for the company, the college, and the Vermont workforce. It is a trend more employers need to embrace. Kudos to the GW Plastics team."

This continued growth and Vermont Hall of Fame induction come on the heels of another major expansion of its Royalton Manufacturing and Technology Center. GW Plastics has broken ground on a 30,000 ft² expansion to accommodate the growth of its thermoplastic injection molding and medical device contract assembly business. The company will add another Class 8 cleanroom capable of housing an additional 30 injection molding machines, and expects to add over 30 new jobs and invest over $10,000,000 in construction, new technology, and equipment.

About GW Plastics:

Founded in 1955, GW Plastics has earned a reputation as an industry leader in precision tooling, injection molding, and contract manufacturing serving the world’s most successful companies in the healthcare, automotive safety-critical, and consumer/industrial markets. Specializing in complex injection molded thermoplastic and silicone solutions, GW Plastics excels at close tolerance mold building, precision injection molding, and contract manufacturing. With leading-edge technologies, a Six Sigma quality commitment, and a relentless pursuit of innovation, GW Plastics continues to attract and partner with market leaders who seek consistency of ownership, financial stability, professional leadership, business integrity, a high-tech standardized global manufacturing platform, and a highly-trained and experienced workforce. Headquartered in Bethel, Vermont, the company’s standardized ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO/TS 16949, and FDA-registered, 21 CFR Part 820 compliant manufacturing facilities are located in Bethel and Royalton, Vermont; Grantham, NH, San Antonio, Texas; Tucson, Arizona; Querétaro, Mexico; Dongguan, China; and Sligo, Ireland. GW is a Plastics News’ Processor of the Year and Sustained Excellence award winner.

Global market-leading OEMs trust GW Plastics to deliver their most challenging projects. For more information, please visit their website at www.GWPlastics.com.

- Read less