Established in 2016, Smart Plastic is a sustainability disruptor in the waste management, environmental and human wellness space. We are redefining the potential of plastic to support a circular economy and regeneration model for the future of the planet and its inhabitants.
As a closely held private company, our immediate goal is to build a financially strong and profitable operation. However, our mission far exceeds that simple goal. Smart Plastic Technologies is fully dedicated (financially, emotionally and work commitment) to bring to our planet solutions for true sustainability. While that word is politically popular and defined in numerous ways, ours is simple.
To those of us at Smart Plastic, sustainability means to ensure that our planet and all of its inhabitants are gifted with a future rich with the fruits of a healthy, stable environment. From clean air to abundant fresh foods and water, medical advances that protect our health and technologies that defend us from those who may wish us harm. Simply put, it's our responsibility to make sure that future generations experience a lifestyle that is rewarded by our good decisions rather than suffers from our mistakes. Smart Plastic Technologies is fully dedicated to developing brilliant disruptive technologies that make plastic better.
Make no mistake, plastic is a ubiquitous product. It is not going to simply go away. Our opportunity is to recognize the inherent problems which have accompanied this amazing product and solve them. Simply put, it is time for us to change the plastic, not the culture. Smart Plastic Technologies embraces that opportunity with enthusiasm as the genesis of our sustainable polymer additives that have a profound effect on the behaviors of plastics. We are without peer in the ability to create these new standards of excellence.
Our business model is designed to make resolving the challenge of improving the quality, efficacy, sophistication and specific needs of plastic products easy for our customers. From resin to film to finished products, we can provide the technologies that help you to design it, make it and more. We offer a range of proprietary additives which provide elegant, sophisticated and affordable answers allowing our customers to create leading-edge products. This affords not only the opportunity to respond to market demand, but to create it. For any market or industry, our technologies provide a one-stop resource from simple to complex custom additive design.
Smart is not only our name, it’s the way we do business. We are a team comprised of members with extensive business experience. We know the cost of product is a critical element to our customers’ success. Our approach uses sustainable polymer additives designed for the lowest possible inclusion rate versus costly resin replacement methods, resulting in an economical solution for our customers.
Our technology development team is globally recognized for its decades of proven leadership. We do not sell “off the shelf” additives. While we do have a suite of proprietary products designed to address a range of applications, our typical response is “what do you need” rather than “here is what we have”. Smart Plastic offers a unique suite of solutions to address our customer’s needs and help support their growth and profitability. We offer these services to increase your sales and reduce costs while maximizing productivity. “One size fits all” is never spoken here.
Always striving to improve requires planning, unrelenting effort and measuring our progress by the highest standards. From creating brilliant technology and efficient production processes to passing cost savings on to our customers, Smart Plastic is fully dedicated to being an industry leading company. While oversight comes from our highly experienced leaders in each division, Smart Plastic also benefits from the knowledge provided by local management in each location in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Europe.
Planning and building carefully today in preparation for the future allows us to build a company which will benefit our customers, partners, stakeholders and employees. Demonstrating a firm commitment to preserving natural resources, a sensitivity and respect for our growing global team, and a belief in the value of our mission will provide the foundation for a successful and impactful company.
Tim's entrepreneurial experience spans more than 50 years, ranging from decades in real estate development, launching the first consumer VOIP network prepaid calling card company in the US, to founding Smart Plastic Technologies. A true visionary, analytical thinker and problem solver who enjoys an international reputation as an ethical and reliable businessman, Tim leads the Smart Plastic management team in developing a global market presence.
Unlike management, leadership cannot be taught, although it may be learned and enhanced through experience. Honed through the challenges of business, Tim has developed and demonstrated strong leadership skills. He manages under the belief of leading by example, rolling up his sleeves, and inspiring others to engage in achieving a goal.
Jay’s experience in the commercialization of disruptive technologies spans more than 30 years, with an emphasis on flexible packaging, plastics, labels and rigid containers. Jay is a successful entrepreneur that has extensive relationships with the world’s leading packaging and sourcing communities.
Active in printing and packaging associations as a subject matter expert and an advocate for environmentally sustainability initiatives, Jay is creative and passionate about improving the plastic packaging industry.
As a strategic thinking and results-oriented leader, Jay practices a team-building approach to win business for profitable and sustainable growth. He is skilled in strategic assessment, coordinated sales and operations, with an unwavering dedication to sustained value creation.
Jay is a proud owner and member of the BOD of Smart Plastic Technologies Inc.. Jay is an active member of YPO Gold and is on the Exco of the Chicago Gold Chapter as well as the global Plastics and Circular Economy Networks.
Robin has a successful history of leading initiatives for sales, marketing, and business development for underperforming mid-size companies. His expertise lies in managing the development of custom equipment, products, and process designs that positively impact both the environment and the bottom line.
Throughout his career, Robin has used his forward-thinking skills as an executive to deliver superior operations and product development results. Robin has a track record of finding innovative ways of using revolutionary technology to grow revenue and increase margins.
As a co-founder of Smart Plastic, Michael Stephens is the guiding force behind the brilliant technological developments making Smart Plastic a globally recognized pacesetter of sustainability. His peer esteem is without equal, and he is considered by many in industry related leadership positions to be amongst the world’s leading experts in polymer technology.
Throughout the past forty-nine years, Michael has been involved in virtually every aspect of the plastics industry. As an entrepreneur, his intimate understanding of production, machinery, polymers, extrusion technology and the formulation of additives is the basis from which Smart Plastic brings to market unparalleled technologies. Michael is committed to dedicating his knowledge and talents to preserving the environment for future generations, holding the belief that challenges are to be seen as opportunities.
Michael has enjoyed a fast-paced career partnering with various consumer products companies to build brands, transform relationships and delight consumers. With leadership experiences ranging from ground floor start-ups to global multi-nationals, Michael’s executive experience includes SVP of Sales at Diamond Wipes Intl. Inc., VP of Sales for Advanced Bio Development Inc., Global Team Lead at Nestle Waters, and Director of Sales for the Sweet Leaf Tea Company.
Over his 20+ year career in Consumer Products, Michael has developed a comprehensive set of experiences in Traditional Supermarket, Natural Foods, Club, Convenience, Pharmacy and Foodservice. In addition to traditional channels, he has led pioneering efforts in eCom with Amazon and direct B2B and B2C commercialization.
Over the past 20 years, Mariano Gonzalez has held executive positions in Investment Banking, Corporate Development, Strategic Planning, and Private Equity across the US, Europe, and Latin America. He currently serves on the Board of Learning Upgrade, a San Diego-based EdTech remote learning company and winner of the 2019 X-Prize foundation competition.
Mariano is a member of YPO’s NY Liberty chapter and recently served as CEO of Project Laundry, a PE-backed company in the New York area. He received his MBA from Kellogg in Chicago and was a Sloan Fellow at London Business School where he received a Masters's in Leadership and Strategy.
Mariano is currently a member of the Board of Rising Ground, a 190-year-old education foundation in New York. He is fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish and enjoys fencing, basketball, soccer, and participating in Circular Economy initiatives.
Dan Pinsel has been a senior Finance Executive for the past 20+ years with proven results in driving financial and operational outcomes for service and consumer products organizations. Dan’s background in both public and private companies adds to his overall financial experience. He previously held CFO positions at Sysco Corporation and Blue Plate Catering and prior to that, Dan was the VP Finance at Food For Thought and Director of Finance at ARAMARK Corporation.
Dan has a track record of improving organizations’ financial performance through cross-functional collaboration and leadership. He is known for being a proactive problem-solver who delivers client value. Dan is a skilled leader who has mentored and developed high-performing teams. He lives in Lincolnshire, Illinois with his wife and 2 children. Dan has a strong interest in helping chart a path for positive environmental change for the planet and its people.
A graduate, with distinction, in applied design and marketing from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Landon has 10+ years in the brand development and marketing space. He has worked with companies ranging from small startups to large global organizations, including Metsä, KONE and Wärtsilä.
Landon has extensive expertise in helping companies build effective brands, sales tools and online platforms. His experience is based upon a solid understanding of the sales process and customer journey specific to each business. Combining critical thinking, problem-solving and design thinking skills, Landon builds flexible brands focused on key business objectives. He is passionate about making the complicated simple and easy to understand for companies and customers alike.