November 30, 1999

WYE MILLS – Chesapeake College on Tuesday received a donated plastic injection molding machine from Black and Decker in Easton. The machine will help launch a new plastics manufacturing program at Chesapeake next fall.

"We’re grateful to Black and Decker for helping get this program off the ground. This is another example of how Chesapeake and local businesses are working together to train the area’s workforce. The equipment will enable us to be the only college offering plastic manufacturing training in the area," said Chesapeake College Director of Technology Training Bob Faiella.

Black and Decker’s Plastics Department Manager Christos Athanitis said, "We’re pleased to help Chesapeake College develop a plastics manufacturing program. There is a significant need for plastics injection molding training on the Eastern Shore, and many businesses can benefit from a local training program. We’re looking forward to a robust plastics training program that can eventually be expanded to other plastics technology."

The 150-ton pressure machine was in use on Black and Decker’s production floor until it was dismantled for delivery to Chesapeake this week, according to Athanitis.

Maryland Plastics, Inc., of Federalsburg has also pledged to donate a plastics molding machine for the new program. The equipment should be delivered to Chesapeake within two months.

College officials are developing the program in response to area manufacturing companies’ requests for plastics training. Most businesses now use on-the-job training to prepare their employees for plastics manufacturing work. The new curriculum will include courses in troubleshooting, mold design and plastic property analysis, Faiella said.