410-326-3004

Chesapeake Plastics Manufacturing Manages a Successful Transition in Maryland

The trophy case at Chesapeake Plastics Manufacturing in Lusby, Md. is bulging with prizes these days. In fact, their attention to total quality management and continual improvement has enabled them to garner some much-deserved and very prestigious attention over the past year. In June 2004, they accepted Southern Maryland’s Leading Edge Award for Small Business of the Year; in September, The Daily Record deemed them an “Innovator of the Year” finalist. Most recently, Smart CEO magazine honored them with a “Future 50” award in recognition of their growth and ability to keep the Maryland business climate vibrant and exciting.

The accolades are especially impressive considering the meteoric rise the company has had over the past year. After their employer closed a similar plastics manufacturing plant in 2003, co-owners Mark McGrath and Steven Moore decided that, rather than look for new jobs outside their home county, they would purchase their former employer’s equipment, re-hire many of their newly unemployed colleagues and launch their own business. “The decision to strike out on our own was a little daunting at first,” said Moore. “Wanting to be in charge and actually being in charge of all the decisions needed to run a business are two very different things. We knew the injection molding profession, we knew the skills and abilities of our colleagues and we had a list of customers who were willing to stick with us – we figured we’d learn the rest of it as we went along.”

Now, just 16 months later, the company is going strong, employing more than ten people, operating a modern injection molding plant and specializing in maritime and construction trades, Department of Defense contracting support and the after-market auto industry.

“It has been an interesting ride,” said McGrath. “I’m glad we’ve been able to turn the potentially devastating situation of a plant closure into the positive transformation we’ve made so far.” The co-owners are especially pleased with all the attention they have been receiving lately. “It’s really hard for start-up companies like ours to get the type of recognition they deserve,” said McGrath. “There are many manufacturing companies in Maryland that are doing excellent work, stimulating the economy and providing good jobs,” he said. Moore countered by saying he is encouraged that Chesapeake Plastics is on the radar screen of so many award committees. “It is really nice to get this kind of recognition from a variety of organizations – it lets us know that we are on the right track.”

For more information on Chesapeake Plastics Manufacturing, please call 410.326.3004, send an e-mail to [email protected] or visit their Web site at www.chesapeakeplastics.com. For more information about the Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development, call 410.535.4583, 800.331.9771 or 301.855.1880; send an e-mail to [email protected], or visit our Web site www.ecalvert.com.

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  • Ship Point Industrial Park
    Lusby, Maryland 20657

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  • 410-326-3004

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