Contact: Paula Weis
(202) 974-5282

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPI'S FILM AND BAG FEDERATION ELECTS OFFICERS, NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

WASHINGTON (July 13, 2005) - Jack Riopelle, president of Wisconsin Film and Bag Co., Shawano, WI, was elected chairman of the Film and Bag Federation (FBF), a business unit of The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI). John Mark Wilhite, co-owner of Louisiana Plastic Converting Corporation, West Monroe, LA, was named vice chairman of the Federation.

In addition, Frank Ruiz, technical director for Heritage Bag Co., Carrollton, TX, was named to the Film and Bag Federation's Board of Directors. He joins the following FBF Directors-at-Large: Vic Platta, Advance Polybag; Bill Romer, Clearview Bag; Joe Laehu, The Dow Chemical Co.; Rex Varn, Hilex Poly Co., LLC; Russ Joseph, ISO Poly Films; Mike Henagan, Mid South Extrusion; Bill Swinimer, PCL Packaging; Greg DeKunder, Total Petrochemicals USA and Larry Johnson, Vanguard Plastics.

SPI's Film and Bag Federation works to further the development of the plastic film and bag industry by providing its members with the programs, services and forum necessary to address environmental, regulatory and other issues critical to the success of the industry. The U.S. film and sheet industries employ more than 84,000 workers, and U.S. shipments in these sectors total nearly $23.6 billion. For more information, visit www.plasticbag.com.

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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