The Plastics Group of America manufactures, compounds, recycles, and distributes a complete line of thermoplastics to meet the needs of molding, extrusion and blow molding processors. TPG's Polifil® line of reinforced resins utilizes additives & agents including mineral, talc, calcium, mica, glass & barium for applications in the automotive, medical, appliance, toy, hardware and furniture industries. TPG is ISO 9001:2000 certified with production facilities in Woonsocket, RI and Blairsville, GA and distribution points across the continental United States.
Company History
Company President Robert A. Lebeaux founded the company in 1973 as Ralco Industries, Inc., a one-man company involved in buying and selling scrap materials. In 1978, the company purchased a grinder, a baler, an extruder and a tractor-trailer and expanded into the recycling business. Plant Manager Noel Bennett, Jr. joined the company at this time.
In 1979, Executive Vice President Michael A. Rosenthal joined the company, and shortly thereafter, in 1980, the company began custom compounding reinforced thermoplastics, using the trade name Polifil®.
The company added 12,000 sq. ft. to its Woonsocket, RI facility in 1986, and the same year added another business unit, called Transcontinental Polymers. This business added more recycling and toll processing capabilities, including densifying, guillotining and extruding, to the company's list of services.
The Plastics Group of America became the company's official name in 1988, combining the three business units - Ralco Industries, Polifil®, and Transcontinental Polymers - into one.
In 1991, the company added 5,000 sq. ft. to its Woonsocket facility and expanded its operations by establishing a new plant in Greensboro, GA. Twenty-five employees were hired to staff the new facility. This plant added additional capabilities and flexibility to the company's operations, and allowed The Plastics Group to better serve its southern U.S. customers. By 1993, the company needed more space for its Greensboro operation, and in 1994, The Plastics Group built a 70,000 sq. ft. plant in Blairsville, GA on 7.7 acres of land located 105 miles north of Atlanta.
The Plastics Group of America is committed to quality and safety in the workplace. The company reached a milestone in 1996 when it became one of the first medium-sized compounders in the U.S. to become ISO 9002 Certified. In addition, the company has received several safety awards, including the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) SHARP award from the Rhode Island Department of Health. The Plastics Group was the only Rhode Island company, and one of less than ten in New England, to earn this award in 1997 and has continued to earn this prestigious award each year since.
The Plastics Group of America currently has 70 employees, with annual sales and revenues well into the multi-million dollar range. The Plastics Group is headquartered in Woonsocket, RI in a 65,000 sq. ft. facility on 5 acres of land, and its second facility in Blairsville, GA, is a 70,000 sq. ft. building on 7.7 acres of land.
