Many plastics processors could benefit from improved raw materials handling systems, or upgrade to central raw materials handling systems, says Rob Miller, president of Canadian based central material handling equipment supplier Nucon Wittmann Inc. Some processors do not believe they can justify the cost of upgrading or implementing a central materials handling system and others think that a central system is only worth considering for those processors that are buying and storing material in bulk. While high volume extrusion operations have an obvious need for bulk resin storage, many injection molding shops that run numerous diverse materials and make frequent mold changes do not. However, they can still benefit from central systems even though they are not buying resin by the silo. Any processor that operates more than a couple of machines, uses several hundred lb/hour and conveys different materials from any location would benefit from some materials handling automation. Mid-sized processor Jackson Products, which produces personal protection products, recently moved to a central raw materials handling system at its Belmont Michigan plant.