CONGRESSMAN COLLINS TOURS CONFER PLASTICS

Representative Chris Collins (NY-27th) visited Confer Plastics today. He got a chance to witness our operations and see the manufacturing of a variety of products from sharps containers to sonobuoys to 2 different styles of kayaks.

Following the tour he had a discussion with Doug and Bob Confer about US energy policy, foreign trade, and the Affordable Care Act and how each of those factors influences Confer Plastics' competitiveness at home and abroad.

Of special interest was a conversation unrelated to public policy: Chris gave critical insight to the Confers about his positive experience with self-insurance in the employee benefit packages of his businesses. It's an issue that they will now research which could save the company and its employees a great deal of money. 

CONFER'S SNOW CLOSING POLICY

The weather forecasters are predicting the first snow storm of the season for Tuesday and Wednesday on the Niagara Frontier. If it’s really bad – and not an overreaction – here’s a reminder of company policy on what to expect in the event of a major winter event now and in the future:

• If we are closed, it will be announced on the AM radio at WLVL 1340
• If we are closed, there will be a posting on Confer Plastics’ Facebook page and the “what’s new” page on our website, www.conferplastics.com
• If we are closed, Adecco and Confer staff will attempt to call you
• If there is a driving BAN in Niagara County, do not come in. We will be closed
• If you live in Erie County and there is a driving BAN only there, do not come in, even though we will be open
• If there is a travel ADVISORY in Niagara County, we will still be open. Travel at your own discretion
• Do NOT call the factory lunchroom to see if we are open

CPI IS 64th LARGEST BLOW-MOLDER IN NORTH AMEICA

This week, Plastics News -- the industry's go-to weekly magazine -- released their annual ranking of North American blow molders based on sales volume. Their analysis includes bottle makers as well as large-parts blow molders like us.

Confer Plastics is ranked as the 64th largest blow-molder on the continent.

We are pleased with the ranking as most all of the plants ahead of us on the list are high-volume bottle and automotive manufacturers. In our niche, we remain among the handful of large-parts blow molders in the top 100.

Thank you to our coworkers, customers and vendors who make this all possible!

GNFC POPCORN DISTRIBUTION AT OUR WAREHOUSE

Confer Plastics is doing some interesting community service today: Our Liberty Drive warehouse is serving as the distribution center for the Greater Niagara Frontier Council's (Boy Scouts of America) popcorn sale.

Scoutmasters: Our address is 2107 Liberty Drive in Wheatfield (Niagara Falls maildrop). Drive all the way back to the last loading docks.

THANKSGIVING HOURS

Confer Plastics will be closed Thursday, November 28th through Sunday, December 1st so that our coworkers can enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with their families. Regular hours will resume on Monday, December 2nd.

May you and your families have a memorable Thanksgiving holiday next week. The entire team at Confer Plastics is thankful to have coworkers, customers and vendors like you!

RAFFLE FOR SABRES TICKETS TO BENEFIT UNITED WAY

To help our United Way fundraising campaign (which in turn helps children and families across Niagara County), we will have regularly-occurring fundraisers at the plant. These fundraisers are open to participation from employees of Confer Plastics, their families, our vendors and customers, and friends of Confer Plastics.

One of our suppliers – Partners in Packaging – donated a pair of Sabres tickets for us to raffle off for our latest fundraiser. They are for the Tuesday, December 10th game versus the Ottawa Senators. They are excellent seats: Section 110, row 28, seats 1 and 2. Included with the tickets is an access pass for the Lexus Club at the Arena. For $5 you can buy a raffle ticket that will be put into a random drawing to receive the tickets.

To purchase a raffle ticket, all CPI employees should see their foreman. Everyone outside of the company should mail a check payable to "Confer Plastics" to 97 Witmer Rd., North Tonawanda, NY 14120.

On Friday, December 6th, we will draw one raffle ticket from all entries and that person will receive both Sabres tickets. You can enter more than once.

All proceeds will go directly to the United Way. For every entry, you will receive a receipt so you can note your donation to charity on your 2013 tax returns.

If a second shift employee wins the raffle, he/she can take that evening off as an excused absence.

Please participate – you’ll be helping a great cause and you might be able to see the rejuvenated Buffalo Sabres.

THIS MONTH'S UNITED WAY FUNDRAISER: LUNCH WITH CONNIE

To help our first-ever United Way fundraising campaign (which in turn helps children and families across Niagara County), every month we will have a special “gimmick” fundraiser at the plant. This could be things like paying quality manager Cliff Hoover to wash your car, paying operations manager Charlie Hohman to dress in drag for an entire day, or raffles for things like Sabres or Bills tickets. We’ll try to change things up to make it fun.

Our inaugural event is “Lunch With Connie.” For $10 employees, vendors and friends of Confer Plastics can buy a raffle ticket that will be put into a random drawing. On Wednesday the 27th we will draw one ticket from all entries and that person will have a lunch with Connie Confer during the month of December at the Como at the Airport (the company will pay for the lunch). You can enter more than once.

All proceeds will go directly to the United Way. For every entry, you will receive a receipt so you can note your donation to charity on your 2013 tax returns.

Please participate – you’ll be helping a great cause!

VISIT CONFER PLASTICS AT THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW THIS WEEK

One of the biggest events for the pool and spa industry -- the International Pool/Spa/Patio Expo -- is being held this week, from Tuesday, November 12th  through Thursday, November 14th at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The team from Confer Plastics is displaying our wares at booth 5036. Stop by and visit with Dennis, Bruce, and Charla and check out our line of products --- from the old stand-byes like the 7200 ladder to the Curve step system that took the market by storm this past summer.

You will also get to check out our new products, which includes an adapter kit that will allow our ladders to be used on the increasingly-popular Intex and EZ-Set pools.

For more information about the show, visit http://poolspapatio.com/

CPI LOSES 2 FORMER COWOKERS

It's with a heavy heart that we report that Confer Plastics lost 2 former employees last week.

Stephanie Parks worked on 2nd shift and was a machine operator and quality inspector for 5 years during the 2000s. She passed away last Tuesday at the age of 46. Here is her obituary: http://niagara-gazette.com/obituaries/x252047354/Stephanie-Elizabeth-Parks

Phil Rutty worked at the plant in the 1980s and 1990s and spent most of his time on our third shift. He passed away on Thursday at the age of 58. Here is his obituary: http://tonawanda-news.com/obituaries/x703159569/Philip-D-Rutty

Our thoughts and prayers are with their friends and families.

THANK YOU, VETERANS

On this Veterans Day we say "thank you" too all the men and women who served our nation and made it possible for Americans to enjoy the quality of life and freedoms that we do.

We are especially fortunate to have a number of veterans and current members of our military working alongside us at the plant. A special "thanks" goes out to Orie Cornett, Carl Ealy, Fred Greene, Cliff Hoover, and Joe Ulrich! 

NORTH COLLINS STUDENTS TOUR CPI

On Friday, November 1st, 32 students from the ninth to twelfth grades at North Collins Central School toured Confer Plastics. The students were led by technology teacher Mr. Manchester, social studies teacher Mr. Bittner and guidance counselor Mr. English. 

 

The students were taken on an hour-and-a-half educational tour through the factory and were able to experience our entire operations and witness production of our swimming pool products and kayaks.

The kids were extremely inquisitive and interested and asked some in-depth questions which amazed Confer's tour guides.  Their teacher said it was one of the most eye-opening adventures the students have had in the real world. 

NEW BENEFIT FOR OUR COWORKERS

Next week, as benefit to our coworkers, we will be installing a TV in the factory lunchroom on which will run YNN Buffalo 24-hours a day to keep everyone informed about the goings-on in our community and around the world.

PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY DRIVE

When people donate food to food pantries, usually it’s canned goods that kids all too often aren’t much interested in eating. That’s why Pete Robinson of Lockport founded the Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive in 2010: He wanted to provide local needy families with foods that kids enjoy.

The fourth annual PB&J Drive opened on Friday and continues through December 7th, with donation bins for unopened jars of peanut butter, jelly and marshmallow Fluff being set up all over the Niagara Frontier.

Confer Plastics will be one of 4 drop-off sites in the Tonawandas/Wheatfield area. The collection bin will be set-up in the front lobby of our office and we will be accepting donations of the items from the community at large between the hours of 6:00 AM and 4:30 PM Monday - Friday till the end of the drive.

To learn more about the drive, and other drop-off sites throughout the region, read this recent report from the Lockport Union Sun and Journal...

http://lockportjournal.com/local/x862199340/Spreading-the-love-PB-J-Drive-begins-again