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Progressive’s Glenn Starkey Recognized with SPE’s
Fellow of the Society Award 

Wauconda, IL (April 18, 2005) – Glenn Starkey, president of Wauconda, IL-based Progressive Components, a leading supplier of injection mold, blow mold and die cast tooling components worldwide, is being recognized as an SPE Fellow of the Society Award recipient for 2005.  Starkey will receive the award at the Moldmaking Expo held this week in Rosemont, IL. 

According to the SPE, this distinguished award “is given to SPE Senior Members to honor their contributions in the field of plastics engineering, science or technology, or in the management of such activities. Only 227 members [not counting the 2005 inductees] have been elected to this prestigious status since it was established in 1984.”   

Scott L. Peters, Chairman of the SPE Mold Making & Mold Design Division, had this to say: “Glenn has shown time and again his pursuit of excellence in bringing new products to market under the Progressive Components name. His many innovative products coupled with his many patents have changed the way injection molds are designed and built throughout the industry. These innovations have set new standards across the board for mold component suppliers around the world.  Further, his dedication to the mold making and design industry is evidenced through his participation in a broad range of multi-national societies and committees. He continues to seek the very best in the way of innovation and safety for the mold maker and molder alike.” 

Early in his career, before Progressive, Starkey programmed and distributed a software program, CK/Mold Design, for plastic mold design.  Then beginning in 1990 with component development and distribution, and continuing to the present, Starkey designed and patented the first standard mold lifter for molding plastic undercuts; then researched and subsequently patented lubricious, through-hardened ejector pins, blades and ejector sleeves for plastic molds. 

In 1994, Starkey invented and patented the first standard plastic mold cycle counter to assist in mold maintenance and repair, which was later followed by a software program for mold management. 

Other products followed his team at Progressive, such as mold bushings with removable wear surfaces, a system for standardized electrical mold components, standard side actions and standard stack mold mechanisms. 

Starkey served as the SPE Mold Making & Mold Design Division Chair,
and is currently chair of the Society of the Plastics Industry’s (SPI)
Global Business Council. 

An educational initiative Starkey is proud of is Progressive’s Tooling For Tomorrow program.  Since it was founded in October 2001, approximately $125,000 in direct donations and products have been donated to trade related education programs.  Information is available at www.procomps.com/tft.  

"I’m really honored to receive recognition and I want to thank the staff and volunteers at the SPE,” says Starkey.  “I consider it individual recognition of team achievements because of the many dedicated people here.  When we started out we hoped to have a positive impact on the industry, and now we are all the more encouraged about what we can do in the years ahead.” 

Starkey, 41, currently resides in Singapore with his wife, Linda, and their three children.  He and brother Don have operated Progressive Components since 1990 and they officially celebrate their 15^th anniversary this month.   

With seven locations on three continents, Progressive serves molders and mold builders worldwide. Learn more at www.procomps.com or call 800-269-6653.