FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jill Brandts
(949) 261-6979
Email: jbrandts@plasticsindustry.org

SPI'S THERMOFORMING INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES 2007 "TINA" AWARD WINNERS

IRVINE, CA (March 28, 2007)—Continuing its tradition of promoting and recognizing superior manufacturing quality, innovation and use of materials in thermoformed parts, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) announced the winners of its Thermoforming Institute National Awards (TINA) for 2007.

The overall winner was ThermoFab Corporation of Shirley, MA, which entered an Expandable LED Electronic Display System into the heavy-gauge Best in Application category. ThermoFab's product won the Best of Show award which was determined by the entry that received the highest number of votes from all entry categories combined.

The only competition of its kind for custom thermoformers in the nation, SPI's TINA program changed its format this year, and for the first time opened the competition up to custom thermoformers who are not members of SPI or the Thermoforming Institute. The entries must be a production item—not a prototype—and must be a custom design. This year's competition attracted submissions from 7 states, including California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. Entries were judged in four categories representing heavy gauge and light gauge products, as well as best overall design, by attendees of the Thermoforming Institute's 2007 winter meeting.

"SPI is committed to promoting the growth and prestige of the thermoforming industry by encouraging the use of good manufacturing practices," said Tom Kuehn, chairman of SPI's Thermoforming Institute and president of Plastic Ingenuity, Cross Plains, WI. "The caliber of this year's entries demonstrates true innovation and creativity in the design of the parts."

The other 2007 "TINA" winners are:

Heavy Gauge Category:

• Best in Application: Expandable LED Electronic Display System, ThermoFab Corporation (Shirley, MA)

Light Gauge Categories:

• Best in Application: Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007 with GPS, Transparent Container Company (Berkeley, IL)
• Best in Innovation: T-Shirt Containment Device, Transparent Container Company (Berkeley, IL)

The awards were announced during the Institute's annual winter meeting, held March 4-7 in Palm Beach, FL. SPI's Thermoforming Institute is composed of presidents and CEOs of companies significantly engaged in the manufacture of custom thermoformed products. Its mission is to promote the growth and prestige of the thermoforming industry. To learn more about the Thermoforming Institute or this year's TINA award winners, link to the Web at www.thermoforminginstitute.org or contact Jill Brandts, (949) 261-6979; email jbrandts@plasticsindustry.org.

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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 1.1 million workers and provides nearly $341 billion in annual shipments.

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