After four years in office, David Ladyman has been replaced as president of the European Plastics Distributors Association (EPDA, Salisbury / UK; www.epda.com). He has been succeeded by former vice president Lari Hahtonen. The changeover took place during the association’s recent annual meeting in Hamburg / Germany in mid-June.

Upon his nomination, Hahtonen – who works as a buyer at plastics processor Aikolon (Oulu / Finland; www.aikolon.fi) – emphasised the importance for European plastics manufacturers to react quickly to new technological and geopolitical developments.

Founded in 1973, EPDA’s members consist of companies engaged in a cross-section of distribution and manufacturing, with the latter comprising sheet, blocks, rods, profiles, tubes, pipes, valves, fittings and related activities. The association has set itself the goal of “promoting distribution as the preferred path to market for the semi-finished plastic parts market.”