Rick Finnie at a 2019 event.

Rick Finnie, owner and president of Brea, Calif.-based M.R. Mold & Engineering Corp., was named Mold Maker of the Year by the Society of Plastic Engineers Inc.'s mold technologies division. Marcin Zajac, engineering manager of A1 Tool Corp. in Melrose Park, Ill., is the 2022 Mold Designer of the Year.

The pair was recognized for their contributions to the industry, business ethics and assistance in promoting mold making and designing as careers. They were presented with the awards on March 29 at PTXPO.

Finnie began learning the trade in his father's tool and cutter grinding business when he was 15. His passion for the industry and support of the made-in-the-U.S. label distinguish him among mold builders, according to nominators Mark Bonifacio of Bonifacio Consulting in Natick, Mass., and Geralyn Anderson, marketing director at M.R. Mold & Engineering.

Zajac, who immigrated to America as a young teenager from Poland, found himself at A1 Tool as a computer numerically controlled machine operator, where he showed programming aptitude and was quickly promoted to the design department. His knack for problem-solving and information technology skills make him a standout designer, according to nominator Jason Murphy, president and CEO of Next Chapter Manufacturing.

Progressive Components and Hasco North America will sponsor $500 donations in each of Zajac's and Finnie's names, respectively, to the training schools of their choice..

Finnie learned the value of a strong work ethic and taking pride in one's work at an early age, according to his nominators. He carried those qualities to the mold building shop he opened in 1985.

Finnie is considered a pioneer in liquid silicone rubber tooling and molding. Over the years, he has developed his own cold-runner system, universal base, pneumatic stuffer box, valve-gated controller and vacuum seal. These components have given M.R. Mold customers technology that saves time and money in getting products to market while securing the company's foothold within the industry.

"Well respected by industry colleagues for his expertise in mold building, his innovative 'outside the box' thinking has put M.R. Mold on the map as one of the top three silicone mold makers in the U.S.," the nomination said of Finnie.

M.R. Mold now employs 30 and specializes in tight-tolerance, complex geometry LSR and plastic injection molds. Recent investments in a ProX 3D metal printer, Mitsubishi wire electric discharge machine and a Doosan lathe keep M.R. Mold at the forefront, according to the nomination.

Finnie shares his knowledge and promotes careers in manufacturing, nominators said. He is part of a team of industry experts that offers a "fundamentals of silicone" course. Every year before the pandemic, M.R. Mold & Engineering let more than 400 students tour the shop to learn about modern production facilities during a five-day-long Manufacturing Day event.

Finnie's education- and trade-related activities also include Boy Scouts, the Los Angeles Rubber Group Inc. and the Century High School STEAM program in Santa Ana.

In 2019, Finnie received the Mold Builder of the Year award from the American Mold Builders Association.

Murphy said Zajac can manage a group of individuals with differing views and opinions to come up with innovative designs that work every time.

He and Zajac first worked together several years ago on a project for an appliance component for a large brand owner where A1 was selected as the mold maker. Murphy said Zajac was able to sort through some conflicting information and in a matter of moments gather the right people to clear a problem that could have caused a few days of delay.

"After some debate over the mold design, it was clear to see [his] passion for mold design come through," Murphy said. "While still working through fluid high-level concepts, you could see he was several steps ahead envisioning the end design in his mind.

"This is the sign of a true mold designer to be able to quickly see not only the part in reverse but to concept the mold design and work through the challenges mentally prior to the CAD modeling," he said.

While working through concepts, Zajac also makes edits on the fly, and Murphy said he has never seen a person work so fast in Siemens NX CAD software.

Zajac has also been third-party trained in 3D printing plastic and metal as well as mold flow analysis software.

Murphy said he has seen Zajac deliver many successful mold projects.

Murphy also said he is impressed Zajac started taking drafting and CAD classes as he learned a second language and integrated into a new culture.

"To be able to attain those skills and then develop himself to become a leader in one of the most reputable mold manufacturing companies in America speaks a lot about [his] character and his wiliness to face down a challenge, see the solution and then achieve the goal," Murphy said.

SPE has recognized a Mold Maker of the Year annually since 1983. A Mold Designer of the Year has been named since 1992.

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