Joe La Fountain took on the task of the annual luncheon raffle as a challenge to improve participation and increase the contribution to the Western Plastics Pioneers Scholarship Fund. Over the past four years, Joe as a major contributor, has set the bar high and encouraged others to participate by donating prizes and prize money to our luncheon raffle. Joe believes that everyone should leave the luncheon with a prize and a memory. He revised the ticket offering to encourage more participation. He increased the prize money as well as the number of prizes available. Joe hawks the tickets and encourages
attendees to buy more.

The results of the 2017 raffle indicate that Joe is on the right track. This year the raffle netted more than $2800 for the scholarship fund. Thanks to those who participated in the raffle the scholarship fund is on solid ground.

More importantly, the Board of Directors of the Western Plastics Pioneers wishes to thank all of those who donated prizes, prize money, and their time to accumulate, shop and assemble the raffle prizes. All too often we forget to say thanks for a job well done. Thanks to Joe and his crew of staff participants for all that you have done to make the raffle such a special part of the event.

Scholarship winners may not know of the effort that has been made to generate the funds that they receive, but they appreciate the source of those funds. The Western Plastics Pioneers can be proud of their charitable donations and the goodwill created.

Chuck Brewer III, often referred to as “CB3”. Is a third generation Plastics industry “Pioneer” mentored by a family of mold makers. The Western Plastics Pioneers welcome his years of experience and knowledge to the leadership of the Board of Directors.

Chuck grew up in the molding business doing odd jobs in his grandfather’s tool and die shop; CAB Tool in Bell Gardens. During his early years, he was mentored and apprenticed in mold making, molding and business operations by his father who launched C. Brewer Co. in 1966.

CB3 attended California State University at Fuller-ton while apprenticing as a mold maker at C. Brewer Co. in the afternoon after classes. Upon earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business he joined the C. Brewer Co. sales team. It was 1975 when Chuck shed his shop coat for a sports coat and began his career selling the full line services of the C. Brewer Co. During his early career he also man-aged Customer Care, Marketing, and Project Teams for the rapidly growing company.

In 1981 Chuck joined the Society of Plastics Engineers as a member of the Board of Directors and eventually served as president of that organization . He chaired the RETEC Conference in Irvine, was Vice Chairman of the ANTEC Conference in Los Angeles and was recognized as SPE’s “Man of the Year” in 2003.

Like so many successful molding operations, the C. Brewer Company continued to grow and expand their influence after CB3 and his brother Michael Brewer bought the business from their father Chuck Brewer jr. in 1997. The brothers altered the business philosophy emphasizing scientific molding processes while focusing on the medical market and engineering plastics.

Meanwhile, Chuck Brewer jr. came out of retirement and purchased KRK in Irvine. He relaunched the company as Brevet Industries. After successfully managing the development and growth of that enterprise, Chuck Brewer jr. decided to retire again. So, CB3 and Michael Brewer acquired that operation as well as Care-Fusion’s molding operations in Ontario, California.

A few years later, a surprise offer in 2012 from Balda, AG resulted in the sale of the C. Brewer Company and all of its holdings. By then, the company had grown significantly, employing 500 people , at three geographic locations, and operating more than 100 molding ma-chines.

The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) formally became the Plastics Industry Association (Plastics) in December of 2017. The new organization is all encompassing of the plastics industry. It is a purpose driven organization here to support the entire plastics supply chain.

Since 1937. we have been providing education and advocacy to our members. Our committees and events such as our signature global trade show NPE® , bring the boldest and brightest innovators, influencers and new technology together to create connections and showcase our industry.

The Plastics Industry Association believes in work-ing to make our members and the industry more globally competitive. We believe in advancing sustainability and being a good steward of resources. We believe in promoting plastics manufacturing. From the technological advancements we enable, to the possibilities we create, we are dedicated to helping our members shape the future and make a positive impact every day.

To access the “Plastics” news letter go to: www.plasticsindustry.org/about us

PLASTICS, Better Industry, Better World