Award-winning Thermoforming Pioneers
What is a thermoformer?
The term thermoformer is used in the plastics industry in three distinct ways.
- It can simply be a quick way to describe a large thermoforming machine.
- It also describes a company specializing in heavy-gauge thermoforming. Some suppliers using other processes may do some thermoforming, but a dedicated thermoformer is capable of delivering larger parts in scalable quantities.
- At the highest level, a thermoformer is an expert in the process who makes all the difference.
Company deep in “Thermoformer of the Year” award winners
Our success, and the success customers have with our parts, has a lot to do with our outstanding thermoformers. These leaders shaped our company and the modern thermoforming industry.
Profile has been home to 3 SPE Thermoformer of the Year recipients, a unique distinction not shared by anyone else in the industry.
Stephen Murrill, President (Former), 2011 SPE Thermoformer of The Year
Steve championed molded-in color and texture as well as improved quality controls. These helped commercialize pressure forming, especially for products requiring large, highly cosmetic covers in low to medium volumes. The SPE named him Thermoformer of the Year in 2011. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 for his service and dedication to the SPE’s Thermoforming Division.
Steven Sweig, Chief Engineer (Former), 2002 SPE Thermoformer of The Year
Stephen was the engineer’s engineer! His equipment innovation helped develop pressure forming from a garage‐shop idea to the widely accepted commercial process that it is today.
John Grundy, Founder, 1993 SPE Thermoformer of The Year
John Grundy found Profile Plastics in 1960. He was a true pioneer in the thermoforming industry. His contributions to the thermoforming industry’s growth included introducing CNC trimming and collaboration to develop pressure forming. John was chosen as SPE’s Thermoformer of the Year in 1993.