FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 28, 2021

CONTACT: Todd Jackson | toddjackson@mt.gov | 406.841.2811

Missoula’s Diversified Plastics, Inc. to Receive 2020 Exporter of the Year Award

MONTANA – The Montana District Export Council, of which the Department of Commerce is a member, will award the Missoula-based manufacturing business Diversified Plastics, Inc., its 2020 Exporter of the Year award.

“Diversified Plastics has demonstrated not only resilience but also growth during a time when the circumstances of the global economy have made it harder to achieve either and that’s certainly commendable,” said Commerce Director Scott Osterman.

The council will present the award at a ceremony to be hosted at the business on Thursday, July 29.

“It is an honor to award Diversified Plastics, Inc with this year’s Montana Exporter of the Year Award,” said Montana DEC Chair, Dianna Kegel with TowHaul in Bozeman. “This company has managed to thrive in one of the more challenging events that our world has faced in the past century. They did this by taking creative measures to work virtually across borders in tradeshows, missions, and webinars.  Diversified Plastics have been proactive in using Montana lead partnerships in in Montana Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Services and Montana World Trade Center opportunities.  The Montana Exporter of the Year Award is the result of the hard work that comes with the challenges of exporting products to Australia, Asia, Europe, and Africa. As Diversified Plastics continues to grow in the coming years, new customers will be pleased to see that they have been awarded for the exporting contributions in their industry. On behalf of the Montana District Export Counsel, we congratulate Diversified Plastics, Inc. staff and management on this accomplishment.”

Among its other achievements, Diversified Plastics grew its workforce by 20 percent from 2017 to 2020. During the same time, its exports grew to nearly outpace its domestic sales. Export growth primarily has been to markets such as Australia, Canada, South Africa, Denmark, and India.

“We began as a supplier of engineered plastic wear strips for lumber and pulp mills in the area around Missoula,” said Harold Pinkston, director of sales and marketing. “From those humble beginnings, Diversified Plastics has grown to become a North American leader in plastics engineering and fabrication for multiple industries.”

Formed in 1976, Diversified Plastics manufactures components used in the agriculture, mining, water treatment, lumber, food processing and other industries. A hundred percent of the product’s value is added in Montana.

Diversified Plastics credits much of its success to building relationships through industry trade shows, another way the business has adapted, as many trade shows have transitioned to a virtual format over the past two years.

“We are innovative in how we use processes, and we believe the only way to excel is to continuously improve,” Pinkston said.

The Montana District Export Council (DEC) supports Montana exporters and provides a collective Montana exporter voice to advise on export education needs and disseminates education opportunities to its collective networks. In addition, the council advises policy makers on export policies under consideration and provides suggestions for future legislation. For more information visit MARKETMT.COM.

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