Extrusion International 3-2026

10 Extrusion International 3/2026 INDUSTRY NEWS Women in Plastics Italy – 2026 Annual Assembly Marks Growth, new Appointments, and an Expanding International Outlook The annual general meet- ing of Women in Plastics Italy (WIPS-It) took place on 13 April, at Smartt Valley in Dave- rio (Varese). A key moment in the association’s calendar, the meeting con rmed the organ - isation’s steady growth and consolidation since its estab- lishment, with a mission to pro- mote female talent and foster a more inclusive and sustain- able culture within the plastics industry. The assembly provided an im- portant opportunity for reflection, discussion, and strategic planning, during which members reviewed achievements to date, ongoing ac- tivities, and the association’s future outlook. Of cially founded in October 2024, Women in Plastics Italy has expe- rienced rapid growth, doubling its membership base in a short period and building an increasingly active and engaged community. From the outset, the association has stood out for its ability to launch concrete ini- tiatives, foster meaningful connec- tions, and promote a renewed sector culture grounded in inclusivity, sus- tainability, and the enhancement of skills. New appointments to the Board of Directors During the assembly, two new members were elected to the Board of Directors: Erica Cantillo and Franc- esca Minarini, who will contribute to further strengthening the associa- tion’s governance. Elisa Aghemo was also appointed as a member of the Board of Auditors. These appointments represent an important step in ensuring both continuity and renewal, in line with WIPS-It’s values of participa- tion and shared responsibility. Looking beyond national borders Among the key outcomes of the meeting was the approval of a docu- ment drafted by the Board of Direc- tors outlining guidelines for the use of the WIPS-It brand by international organisations interested in adopting its model. This marks an important step in the association’s growing international relevance. Similar initiatives are al- ready emerging abroad, with WIPS Austria already established, and the association aims to both safeguard and promote its core values, ensur- ing that the WIPS model can be rep- New Sales Manager Named Guill Tool announces the appointment of Stephen Ovren as the company’s sales manager. The announcement was made by Chuck Paull, Chief Marketing Of cer, at the com - pany’s West Warwick, Rhode Island headquarters. Ovren obtained an M.B.A from the University of Miami Florida and his B.S. in Industrial Technology and Manufac- turing Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Stout Polythetic. Prior to Guill, Ovren was a Senior Business Consultant at GES/GRB Consulting and General Manager at ATW Companies. The former organization provides strategic partnership through team extension to the Submarine Industrial Base, while the latter is a supplier of precision tubing and fabricated metal components for the medical, aerospace, telecommunications, industrial and defense sectors. On March 23, 2026, Ovren became the company’s Sales Manger for the Extrusion Division. His responsibilities in- clude sales, marketing and customer service. Commenting on this new hire, Paull said, “We’re thrilled to have Stephen on our team. His previous experiences in tubing as well as work in the submarine industry are an asset.” Guill Tool & Engineering Chuck Paull, Chief Marketing Of cer cpaull@guill.com