Rodney R. Brotz

The Rodney R. Brotz Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to honor his memory by his widow, Patricia G. Brotz, and his children Caroline Brotz-Twohig and Patrick Brotz, using funds that include memorial donations made at Rodney’s funeral, and by gifts from the Frank G. and Frieda K. Brotz Family Foundation, Inc. Below is some information for recipients of the scholarships about 1) Rodney R. Brotz, 2) Plastics Engineering Company, the business of which Rodney was such an integral part, and 3) the Brotz Family Foundation, which is the charitable vehicle of the Brotz family and Plastics Engineering Company. Rodney R. Brotz (1932-2005) – Education and Business – Rodney R. Brotz was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin to Wilbur and Ione (Gulean) Brotz. Wilbur was one of five sons of Frank G. Brotz involved in the founding and operation of Plastics Engineering Company, and Ione Brotz served for many years as the company’s Executive Secretary. Rodney graduated from Central High School in Sheboygan in 1950 and shortly thereafter began an apprenticeship in the tool room at Plastics Engineering. He served his country as a helicopter mechanic in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 in Korea. Upon his return, he completed his apprenticeship and then entered the University of Wisconsin, School of Engineering, graduating with a B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Following his graduation, Rodney was employed in the Engineering Department of Plastics Engineering Company, initially supervising the production of hexamethylenetetramine, a curing agent for phenolics. In 1965, as injection molding techniques were being adapted to thermoset materials, Rodney assisted the company’s technical representatives and customers to learn and assimilate this technology. Rodney’s work interest and talents expanded to include material formulations, tool design, and field service work. In the late 1980s, he took on supervision of Plastics Engineering Company’s technical sales representatives and technical service engineers. In December 1988, he was elected Vice-President of the Company, a position he held until his retirement in July of 1995. Rodney was elected to the Board of Directors of Plastics Engineering Company in 1983, and he remained an active member until his unexpected death in 2005. During his career, Rodney was active in the International Society of Plastics Engineers (Thermoset Division), holding several offices, including Chairman (1977). Personal – Rodney married Patricia Gedig of Sheboygan on November 5, 1966, and together they had three children, Caroline, Katherine and Patrick. Rodney had an avid interest in airplanes, sailing, cars and motorcycles. Organizations he belonged to in furtherance of these interests included the Experimental Aircraft Association, Midwest Antique Airplane Club, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Life Member of the Sheboygan Yacht Club, and longtime Commodore and member of the Elkhart Lake Sailing Club.

In addition to performing essentially all the maintenance and repair on his fleet of automobiles, Rodney was a motorcycle scrambles racer and was co-owner of Motive Research Inc., Gran-Sport Division. Rodney was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge of Anna Maria Island, Florida, and a founding member of the Good Vibe Track Club. Plastics Engineering Company History – On April 25, 1934, Frank G. Brotz, along with his five sons, formed the American Molded Products Company, a family partnership, in Chicago, Illinois. This company manufactured thermosetting liquid resins, which were used to cast molded products that included handles, knobs, radio cabinets, and similar items. In August 1934, the company was moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The name was changed to Plastics Engineering Company. A year later, the production of liquid resins and castings was discontinued in favor of pressed moldings from dry, granular molding compounds. These compounds were developed essentially from cresol-formaldehyde resins, mixed with dry fibrous and mineral fillers. The company’s requirements for molding compounds were relatively small in those days and their production was not economically justified. During the fall of 1939, the partnership decided to concentrate its efforts and limited capital exclusively to the development of its custom molding department. Many items were molded and finished for the utensil industry. By 1944 some 200 workers were employed, molding and finishing phenolic components for the Army, Navy, and Air Force ordnance departments in connection with the war effort. During the war years, the firm molded “frangible” bullets, which were used in the training of aerial gunners. They also produced numerous electrical parts such as cable connectors, switch bases, flight suit connectors, earphone bases, and electric brake connectors.

After World War II, there was first an acute, and then a prolonged, national shortage of molding compounds. The company’s allocations from the various producers totaled only 20,000 pounds per month. In order for the firm to survive, the partnership decided in March 1946, to revive its manufacture of molding compounds, this time from phenol-formaldehyde resins. An addition to the Geele Avenue plant was built in Sheboygan, Wisconsin for this purpose and became operational in November of that year. Mr. E. H. Beach joined the firm in November 1946, and his energy and talents were focused on the manufacturing of phenolic molding material. Markets for molding compounds and resins other than for company requirements were subsequently developed. The molding compound manufacturing division expanded when the resin plant on North Avenue was built in 1950. In 1959, production of melamine and melamine-phenolic resins and molding compounds was initiated. The firm grew rapidly during the 1960’s and 1970’s, with nine major building expansions made to the resin and molding material manufacturing plant. A warehouse complex was constructed in 1969 and expanded in 1976. This facility enhanced the company’s ability to rapidly respond to customer orders and to efficiently manage its raw material and finished goods inventories. On December 1, 1973, the firm officially opened the doors to a new and distinctive general office. Today Plastics Engineering Company, selling products under its trademark PLENCO, remains a closely-held family corporation that spans three generations. It furnishes industry with a wide range of ready-made or custom-formulated molding compounds, industrial resins, and molded products. Plastics Engineering Company maintains modern production, research, testing, and administrative facilities in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and is represented by a fully staffed technical sales group.

Current information about Plastics Engineering Company can be found at its website: www.plenco.com. The Frank G. and Frieda K. Brotz Family Foundation, Inc. Formed in the early 1950s, the Brotz Family Foundation is the main vehicle for charitable activities of the owners of Plastics Engineering Company. The Foundation provides support to organizations involved in education, arts, youth development, health care, and other human and social services, almost entirely in Wisconsin and primarily in Sheboygan County. The Foundation has received all of its support from contributions from Plastics Engineering Company.