What has been the biggest impact on the plastics industry?
RJ: The plastics industry has been impacted by globalization. Although some people have called it mature, I think that is a misapplication of the definition. A mature industry grows at the rate of the Gross Domestic Product, or less than that. Plastics, as such, are continuing to grow at multiples. And that is the impact of globalization, not a maturing of the industry or the technology. I thought that was important to bring out in the book. I also thought it was important to show where a number of mergers and acquisitions had gone wrong. The plastics industry seems to have a bad history with making acquisitions for the wrong reasons. CU: What are some other lessons contained in your book? RJ: Over the past 10 years or so, there has been a tendency to put non-technical people in charge of a number of plastics companies, with I think, poor results. This is an industry that was founded on technology, thrives on technology, and that grows on technology. Having non-technical people directi
