An entrepreneurial spirit coupled with a commitment to supporting growth and innovation has helped Tim Neal grow Twin Lakes-based Allied Plastics from a two-employee operation to a 335-person team.

Neal, who co-founded Allied Plastics in 1995 and has served as president since then, said he was inspired earlier in his career by watching his father-in-law run his own business. He spent most of his early life continually working multiple jobs.

“I came from a family that didn’t have much,” said Neal. “I wanted a lot of things in life, and the only way to get those things was the work. … I watched my father-in-law and was envious. I admired what he was able to do and wanted to do it on my own.”

After serving in the Army Reserves, Neal spent several years working for Germantown-based plastics manufacturer Hampel Corp. There, he met his like-minded co-founder, Steve Wieder.

The two men formed a partnership with Carl Schultz and Fran Prestay, owners of Five Star Fabricating, because they were looking to vertically integrate their offering of thermoformed products.

Neal and Wieder purchased the fixed assets of JI Pattern and began their tooling and fixtures business in-house at Five Star Fabricating.

The men bought Schultz and Prestay out of the business nine years later. The company specializes in heavy gauge thermoforming, making components like tractor cab roofs and playground equipment.

“My greatest strength over the years has been my vision and looking at what we could do to separate us from our competition,” said Neal. “That’s really why we focused on a large-part format.”

Focusing on heavy gauge thermoforming has given Allied Plastics a competitive edge because customers save money having large parts made in the U.S. as opposed to having them made overseas and imported.

“Logistically, the large parts we manufacture are just too expensive to transport around,” he said. “That really separated us from our competition.”

Periods of growth

Since the time Neal and Wieder took the helm at Allied Plastics, the company has experienced several substantial periods of growth. Those periods have been driven by both customer demand and a desire to innovate.

In 1999, Allied Plastics expanded into twin-sheet thermoforming. In both 2008 and 2012, the company installed two of the largest thermoforming machines in the country, allowing the business to make larger and more complex projects.

In 2008, Allied Plastics shifted from producing custom packaging products to supplying major original equipment manufacturers with component parts.

“That decision proved invaluable during the financial crisis, providing diversification and stability – an approach that remains central to our business today,” said Neal.

In 2017, the company vertically integrated by adding sheet extrusion capabilities in-house. Then, in 2021, Allied Plastics was acquired by All-State Industries. This gave Allied Plastics additional financial backing to continue growing.

Now, the company is installing a third sheet extrusion line, further bolstering its production capabilities. Altogether, the business has 40 production lines that operate across 400,000 square feet of space.

“Even in the midst of an economically challenging time, we are expanding our operations again, which is incredibly exciting,” said Neal. “Our growth has supported stable, long-term opportunities for local families.”

Leading with integrity

Since launching Allied Plastics 31 years ago, Neal has worked to maintain a “family-like environment” while holding both himself and employees accountable.

“I lead by example,” he said. “At 61, I’m still willing to climb into a machine or roll up my sleeves alongside my team when needed.”

He believes Allied Plastics’ success is due in large part to its employees and his intent to “put the right individuals in the right roles.”

“Empowering and developing employees is central to my philosophy. When people are trusted and equipped to succeed, the whole team benefits,” said Neal.

Outside the business, Allied Plastics has also become a community bedrock. Along with the hundreds of families that rely on the manufacturer for steady work, Allied Plastics is working to train the next generation of workers.

The company has forged a partnership with Wilmot High School in Salem Lakes to introduce students to plastics manufacturing and engineering.

A separate partnership with nonprofit GPS Education Partners allows several high school students to take part in an immersive apprenticeship program.

“I want to leave behind a business that’s built to last – not just financially strong, but ethically grounded, culturally rich and deeply respected,” said Neal. “A place where future leaders continue to lead with the same values that shaped its foundation.”

Read more at the BizTimes.