Summary

The Society of Plastics Engineers is in a transitional time. It has had to adapt to a world where the traditional method of conducting business has been almost eliminated. Revenue streams have shrunk, new ones are being developed and our business model must adapt to this new environment. This requires flexibility and an ability to embrace new ideas and concepts. My experience in the manufacturing world has given me many of the skills needed for this position. Transforming a small plastics company into one of the leading thermoformers in the United States required vision and dedication as well as close attention to planning and detail. As Managing Partner for Plastic Concepts & Innovations, I have helped many companies, foreign and domestic, to improve their processes and operations. Introducing innovative approaches to today’s challenges are an integral part of my consulting practice. I took over as the COO of a failing, private, non-profit, four-year liberal arts college, and under my leadership, the college became both profitable and accredited in eight years. Saving and then rebuilding the college required changes to practically every aspect of the institution: implementing new best practices, technological efficiencies and staff training were all part of my approach to operational improvement. As a member of the SPE Thermoforming Division Board for over 32 years, I have chaired conferences, participated in most committees, and served as Division Councilor for the past six years. My SPE tenure and successes with start-up companies, turn-around ventures and industrial expansion projects uniquely qualify me for this position.

Experience

View Curriculum Vitae

SPE Positions Held

• Society of Plastic Engineers, Councilor Member– 2014-Present,
• Society of Plastic Engineers – 1988 to present
  • Conference Chair of the annual Thermoforming Division Conference,
  • 2 times Technical Chair of the annual Thermoforming Division Conference,
  • 5 times Member, Processing Committee of the Thermoforming Division,
  • 1986 onward, Council Member

Additional Information

James M. “Jay” Waddell is a Senior Member of Society of Plastic Engineers (SPE) and has been a member of the national Board of Directors for the Thermoforming Division of the SPE for the past 32 years. He has served as Chair of the Thermoforming Annual Conference twice, Technical Chair for several Annual Conferences, and moderator for many technical conferences. Within the Thermoforming Board, he has served as chair of several key committees such as materials, conference (including site selection), finance, and ARC. He is on the Executive Board of the Thermoforming Division. Mr. Waddell is Managing Partner of Plastic Concepts & Innovations, LLC, bringing to bear the skills developed from 32 years of consulting and manufacturing in heavy-gauge thermoforming at Curd Enterprises. He was the Executive Vice President while at Multiplastics. He has presented seminars on advance thermoforming techniques and materials each year across the country to both formers and end-users. He has taught and consulted at companies in the United Kingdom, People’s Republic of China, Saudi Arabia, Finland, Mexico, Ecuador, and Australia. Mr. Waddell works with thermoforming companies in process improvements and product development, both in the US and overseas. He is often called in as a “plastics forming 911” rescue resource for customers with all manner of forming issues, both to correct them and as an independent expert evaluating where the problem(s) or the issue(s) lies. Mr. Waddell was the COO for the American College of the Building Arts. He was responsible for the administration of a private, non-profit, four-year liberal arts college specializing in the Traditional Building Arts. This encompasses facility management of two campuses and the construction of the new single-campus facility for the College. He was responsible for the budget and the administration of the College. Mr. Waddell earned his BA at the Citadel and continued his graduate studies in business there.