Leading manufacturer known for research and development, quality systems and solving customers’ most vexing challenges is poised to advance new materials and expand in new markets.
Incoming General Plastics Manufacturing Co. President, Mitchell Johnson, Ph.D.
General Plastics Manufacturing Company, a leading global supplier of rigid and flexible polyurethane foam materials and build-to-print parts, marks its 75th anniversary on December 1, 2016 with the announcement of the promotion of Mitchell Johnson, Ph.D. to company president.
This signifies the company’s continued focus on developing new materials and manufacturing methodologies that satisfy the exacting tolerances and product performance expectations of the aerospace, defense, nuclear and composite-manufacturing industries.
Effective January 1, 2017, Dr. Johnson succeeds Bruce Lind as President of General Plastics. Lind, who has led General Plastics as President for the last seven years, becomes Chairman of the Board.
In this position, Lind will focus on strategic planning, applying his 38 years of managerial experience and manufacturing expertise to help the company successfully navigate new challenges in a fluid, technology-driven environment.
Dr. Johnson joined General Plastics as a product development chemist in 2008. He was promoted to Director of Research in 2009, Senior Technical Director in 2011, and again to VP of Materials Technology in 2015.
In his previous roles and with his leadership, he has been instrumental in supporting the company’s efforts towards sustainable growth and providing cutting-edge products to its customers. He earned his doctorate from the University of Utah and pursued post-doctoral studies at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
We have a very strong succession planning process and have been moving in this direction for the last four years. In his role as Executive VP, he was involved in nearly every facet of the business. Dr. Johnson has essentially been at the helm of the company for the last year. This very deliberate approach ensures continuity of philosophy, dedication to quality and continuous improvement. It will make the transition seamless to our employees, our customers and the markets we have served the past 75 years.
Bruce Lind, former President of General Plastics, newly appointed Chairman of the Board
Quality and continuous improvement at the core
Following its start in 1941 by creating products for the forest industry, the company began developing chemical solutions for multiple applications before moving into the aerospace industry in the 1960s.
Taking a proactive approach to quality, sales and manufacturing has propelled General Plastics to the forefront of innovation today. The products it introduced in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s established a solid foundation for solving customers’ unique and most challenging problems, not simply supplying urethane foam.
The company’s high-value, cost-competitive products introduced throughout the years reflect strengths in manufacturing, research and development, and a robust quality system.
Looking forward, Dr. Johnson welcomes the opportunity to provide more sophisticated, high-value solutions in the burgeoning realm of non-metallic materials and composite fabrications, extending beyond urethane foams to other engineered materials that will satisfy evolving needs in the aerospace, tooling and composites markets.
Our current and prospective customers recognize the consistency and excellence of our on-time, on-spec, cost-competitive products, taken to the next level through very specific quality measures and well-honed procedures.
Dr. Johnson, newly appointed President of Gneral Plastics
He adds that the company’s success is the direct result of investing significantly in quality infrastructure, advanced testing capabilities, the overall prowess of highly qualified and capable engineers, scientists and production personnel, and the unrelenting focus on continuous improvement of the whole organization.
With Dr. Johnson’s leadership, we will continue to achieve success not only by demonstrating a continuous, tangible commitment to supporting customers for the life of their programs, but developing better solutions using new technology to solve their future challenges. 75 years later, at this major milestone, we are tremendously grateful for the steadfast trust of longtime partners whom we’ve been privileged to support.
Bruce Lind, former President of General Plastics, newly appointed Chairman of the Board
About General Plastics Manufacturing Company
Tacoma, Washington-based General Plastics Manufacturing Company has been a leading innovator in the plastics industry for 75 years. The company develops and manufactures rigid and flexible polyurethane foam products, which include its signature LAST-A-FOAM® brand series and build-to-print composite parts.
Directly or through its network of distributors, General Plastics serves the aerospace and defense, nuclear packaging, composite core, prototype and modeling, construction, dimensional signage, testing, marine and the renewable energies industries. General Plastics is certified to ISO 9001:2008/AS9100C and meets the rigorous demands of numerous leading quality systems, which include NQA-1, Mil-I-45208A and Boeing Company D6-82479. Please visit www.generalplastics.com.