Mold Technologies Division of SPE Announces 2024 Award Recipients at NPE 2024

See live from NPE Award Ceremony here

For more information about the awards and the Society of Plastics Engineers, please visit https://mtd.4spe.org.

The Mold Technologies Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) proudly announced the recipients of its four international awards during a ceremony at NPE this week, held at the MoldMaking Technology booth. These awards, presented annually by the division, recognize excellence in the moldmaking industry and highlight the outstanding contributions of practitioners and trainees.

2024 marks the inaugural year for the presentation of the Apprentice of the Year award for the division, demonstrating the industry's commitment to recognizing and supporting the next generation of moldmakers. Each award includes a $1,000 stipend to be donated to the award recipient's training program of choice.

The 2024 award sponsors are as follows:

• Mold Maker of the Year, sponsored by Hasco America
• Mold Designer of the Year, sponsored by Progressive Components
• Mold Repair Technician of the Year, sponsored by MoldTrax
• Apprentice of the Year – Mold Making, sponsored byPCS Company

Keith LeSage of Westminster Tool was awarded the Mold Designer of the Year. Keith has been a vital part of Westminster Tool for over 20 years, leading complex Class-101 tool design projects for various industries. His commitment to passing on his technical knowledge has made him a critical source of knowledge and a mentor to many young mold designers.

Gabe English of Western Carolina Tool & Mold received the Mold Maker of the Year award. Gabe's journey in the moldmaking trade began unexpectedly, but his passion and dedication have led him to become a respected leader in the industry. His focus on passing on his knowledge and skills to the next generation of moldmakers is commendable.

Scott Phipps of United Tool and Mold (UTM) was honored with the Mold Repair Technician of the Year award. Scott's 40+ years of experience in the molding industry, combined with his visionary leadership and dedication to educational outreach, make him a true asset to the moldmaking community.

Adam Conley of Omega Tool Inc. was recognized as the Apprentice of the Year – Moldmaking. Despite being early in his career, Adam's exceptional moldmaking ability and calm demeanor under pressure have set him apart. His success in competitions like Skills USA is a testament to his talent and dedication to the craft.

MoldMaking Technology congratulates all the award recipients and thanks SPE MTD and the Award sponsors for their support in recognizing excellence in the moldmaking industry.