ABSTRACT
Many custom molders supply precision-molded engineering parts to large customers such as the automotive industry, perhaps as much as 70% of their requirements. Usually, the resins used are specified by the automotive company, which has already devoted considerable attention to the engineering aspects of the resin selection process. Custom molders accept many jobs from smaller end users, who may not be very sophisticated in their approach to the resin selection process. Pragmatism in this context is meant to suggest what is best for custom molders after their customers’ minimum requirements have been satisfied. Material suppliers usually have competent, marketing-oriented technical sales people to call on molders to sell their products. Performance is another consideration on the part of molders, but one that is appreciably more objective. Molders have the right to expect good service from their material suppliers. Molders’ profits are very seldom exorbitant, nor are they normally blessed with a surfeit of working capital.
