In September, the Society of Plastics Engineers appointed Russell Broome as its new managing director. Broome is already well known to SPE members, given his recent past presidency of SPE and nearly a quarter century of experience in the plastics industry. 

After his early career as a plastics engineer, Broome moved into roles in sales and marketing and global business development with LNP Engineering Plastics, GE Plastics, and PolyOne. Most recently he worked as an engineer in a purchasing function in strategic sourcing at TE Connectivity. 

Plastics Engineering asked Broome for his thoughts about his past in plastics and his present new role.…

Plastics Engineering: How will your experience as an SPE president help you in your role as Managing Director?

Broome: I served as an SPE volunteer leader on a local level with the Piedmont-Coastal Section for almost 20 years and on the international governance level since 1998, culminating with my election as the Society’s president in 2011. This experience was invaluable as it has given me a direct vision into what is important to our existing and potential customers, both internal and external. I have worked with most of the current staff for many years and have a good understanding of their unique skill set as well as the unique demands they operate under. I really look forward to working with both the volunteer and staff teams to keep SPE on a path of continuous improvement.

PE: You’ve been involved with SPE since you were a student. Why were you so interested in getting involved with SPE at such an early age?

Broome: To be honest, I had no idea SPE even existed until my father invited me to a section meeting during my junior year of college. Personally, I think he was simply trying to keep an eye on me and make sure I was still “employed” as a mechanical engineering student! I was immediately hooked on the practical technology being presented, which led to my attending ANTEC® as well as NPE shortly after. I was amazed at the mentoring atmosphere and the confidence the group put in me to represent them on their board after graduation. I made many life-long contacts during that interaction, and now I am in a position to give back to an entity that provided me so much over the years. I have to say though, “This is not your father’s SPE anymore!”

PE: What are some specific goals you have for SPE over the next few years?

Broome: My initial goals are focused in two areas. First, I want to continue to ensure SPE’s relevancy in today’s industry by tackling new product challenges and building new relationships with strategic partners. Secondly, I want to make sure staff is able to grow and mature as required by our expanding business model. These are both crucial for the overall success of our Society in its mission to serve its new and potential customers while not compromising the roots of who we are.

PE: How will you be involved with Plastics Engineering magazine?

Broome: I am very fond of our flagship magazine and view it as a great benefit to the industry, whether in print or digital versions. We receive very positive feedback from not only our customers but also our sponsors and advertisers, given its rejuvenated look and its powerful focused reach within the plastics industry. I hope to contribute to the magazine on a regular basis to keep our audience informed of the progress SPE is making on several different platforms.

PE: What are the biggest landmarks in SPE’s future that people should be looking forward to?

Broome: SPE is making inroads in many new areas, which is exciting for both our customers as well as those of us working hard behind the scenes to pull them off. We are pursuing many new product offerings for our customers and partners to give them and us more exposure in a rapidly changing environment.

We will soon announce new membership categories as a response to what we have heard as the changing needs of today’s member. You will be seeing fresh new electronic forums to allow our focused communities to collaborate much more effectively. You will be hearing soon about a new series of hands-on “value chain” seminars reviewing the path of a pellet from the reactor to its finished part. Lastly, more than ever before, we are taking great steps to make sure our flagship event, ANTEC, exceeds your expectations every year.

PE: So how much of a “plastics guy” are you?

Broome: I have been directly involved in the plastics industry my entire career, and I have my father to either blame or thank for that fact. I see it as a very dynamic part of our past, present, and future, regardless of the market segment you are closest to. I began my career as a plastics engineer, but have transitioned into roles of sales, marketing, business development and procurement, which all have provided me with well-rounded exposure within the plastics value chain, enabling me to interact effectively with various disciplines. 

I really can’t see myself working in any role not focused on plastics. I am very proud of the responsibility SPE embraces to educate our future generations on the positive impacts plastics can have on our lives.