Tony Firth

Tony Firth

​Injection Molding Machinery and Automation Sales Expert

Tony Firth is plastics industry veteran with more than 45 years of experience in North American and European plastics machinery and automation sales. Tony is a trained toolmaker and mold designer, with hands- on mold processing experience, knowledgeable about the various injection molding specialty techniques: multi-material, structural foam, gas assist, LSR, thermoset, thin- wall, IML, insert molding, over-molding, etc. Trained to proficiency in extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming and RIM techniques and systems. Strong background in machinery design, screw design and automation. Experienced with plastics manufacturing project feasibility studies, execution planning and equipment procurement.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 
2019 – Present 
VP/Partner – Tederic North American Machinery, Inc. 
  • A Chinese manufacturer and supplier of injection molding machinery, robots and automation systems. 
  • Managed all commercial activities and performed GM duties. 
  • Led the Sales & Marketing effort providing technically useful solutions to the most demanding customer applications.
2018 – Present 
President, Regent Plastics Equipment LLC, 
  • Provides consulting and sales services to a range of equipment manufacturers in the plastics industry  

President, Negri Bossi North America, Sytrama USA, Negri Bossi Mexico and Negri Bossi Canada 
2011– 2018 
  • A manufacturer & supplier of injection molding machinery, robots and automation systems • Handled General Management duties for each company 
  • Led the Sales & Marketing effort in each market, providing technically useful solutions to the most demanding customer applications 


2008 – 2011 
President, Industrial Process Systems, LLC 
  • Independent sales representative selling plastics equipment to the NE USA and Canada • Products included equipment for injection molding, extrusion, drying, blending, material handling, temperature control, robotics and automation 


2003 – 2008 
Managing Partner, Clearsky Enclosures, LLC 
  • Design and installation of custom, high-end glass enclosures to residential and commercial markets 


1996 – 2002 
President, Sandretto USA, Inc. 
  • A manufacturer and supplier of injection molding machinery 30 to 6000 tonnes 
  • GM and Sales Management functions 
  • Spearheaded Sales & Marketing in USA and Canada 

1994 – 1996 
International Technical Sales Manager, Sandretto SpA, Milan, Italy 
  • Sales support for certain European markets – Norway, Denmark, Belgium and Holland • Sales support for North American market – USA and Canada 
  • International key account management 
  • Member of the Strategic Marketing Committee – product development 

1982 – 1994 
Managing Director, Sandretto UK 
  • A manufacturer and supplier of injection molding machinery 30 to 6000 tonnes selling to the UK and Irish markets 
  • GM responsibilities 
1978 – 1982 
Senior Mold Designer, Plasmold Tools Limited, UK 
  • Plastic injection mold design [pre-CAD] 
  • Component design 
  • Drawing office manager 

1974 – 1978 
Moldmaker & Injection Molding Technician, Birkbys Plastics Limited, UK 
  • A four-year multi-disciplinary plastics engineering apprenticeship with practical and theoretical training in: Mold making, mold design, production planning, quality control, work-time study, injection molding , thermoset molding, and production management 

EDUCATION 
GEC Business School, Birmingham, UK, 1990-1992 
  • Finance for Management 
  • Diploma in Management Accounting Principles and Practices 
Institute of Sales Management, Birmingham, UK, 1982-1987 
  • Sales & Marketing Program 
Airedale Technical College, Pudsey, UK, 1974-1978 
  • HNC Mechanical Engineering 
  • City & Guilds of London Institute – Mechanical Engineering Diploma

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS 
  • 1990 – 1994: Member and Chairman of the PMDA. UK plastics machinery association ● 2012 – 2018: Member of US PLASTICS Machinery Council 
  • 2017: PLASTICS CES IMM Chair 
  • SPE Member