Businesses opposed to mandates seeking to prevent spread of airborne disease
NY lawmakers approved legislation that mandates businesses take steps to protect employees from airborne infectious diseases like COVID. But businesses are concerned because the legislation allows employees to sue employers if they donât comply.
and last updated 2021-04-23 17:20:46-04
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) â When it comes to mitigating the threat that COVID-19 poses in the workplace, Confer Plastics safety guidelines have been used as a blueprint to help other business prepare to reopen last year. We had started up rather early compared to most other businesses, and we had laid out plans on how we should handle it. We actually shared those plans with other businesses and local government and state government, said Bob Confer, president of Confer Plastics.
Farmers are facing fast rising prices for agricultural plastics as manufacturers try to recover from Februaryâs severe freeze in Texas.
Several distributors of bale wrap, silage covers and other plastics used by farmers have reported delays in ordering products, increased demand and rising prices.
Some of the snarl appears to be self-inflicted, with fears of a shortage prompting people to buy more and earlier than normal. But the root cause lies with Mother Nature.
Many chemical plants around Houston shut down in mid-February when the area was slammed by single-digit temperatures, ice and snow that resulted in massive power outages. The area produces most of the nationâs resin used in plastic manufacturing.
Rule changes for WNY trout streams, including in Allegany County
This year, April 1 didn t mark just the beginning of a new season, it marked the beginning of a new era
By Bob Confer
April 1st is always a big day for anglers opening day of trout season.
While we have a year-round fishery for trout on the Great Lakes, many fishermen and fisherwomen still look forward to plying the waters flowing from and between Western New York’s hills and mountains. While stream trout might be much smaller than their lake-run counterparts, they are warier and tastier. Being surrounded by the tranquility of farmland and forests adds to the experience.
Confer Plastics Faces Material Shortage Due to Texas Storm PUBLISHED 2:39 PM ET Mar. 17, 2021 PUBLISHED 2:39 PM EDT Mar. 17, 2021
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The aftermath of the winter storm in Texas that caused widespread damage and power outages is now causing a shortage of plastic and headaches for many manufacturers, like Confer Plastics in North Tonawanda. This loss of materials comes at what could be considered the worst time possible, said Bob Confer, president of Confer Plastics.
It s a family-owned business that s been around for 48 years. But the business is facing a challenge different than any it’s seen in nearly a half-century of existence.
Resin shortage hitting molders, auto suppliers
Myers Industries Inc.
Myers Industries Inc., a maker of pallets, totes and industrial material handling, is raising its prices 8 percent due to the rising cost of resin.
Rising resin prices and a shortage of available material is being felt by molders who are increasing their own prices, limiting deliveries and potentially halting auto production.
Confer Plastics Inc., a North Tonawanda, N.Y.-based blow molder and swimming pool accessory maker, is rationing material and had to lay off 40 workers because of the resin shortage. My concern is, that as fluid as the situation has become, we might have to lay off more in the coming weeks, owner Bob Confer said in an email. Currently, we re planned to be in receipt of about 30-40 percent of our typical monthly demand, which is a really significant hit, especially in a year when we ve been busier than we ever have been.