Richard Freeman, IDSA
Chair, Materials and Processes Special Interest Section
CEO, Freetech Plastics
Richard Freeman, IDSA, has been involved in plastics and design for more than 40 years, the last 35 with Freetech Plastics in Fremont, CA. His experience providing pressure formed products in the close tolerance, technically demanding and highly competitive environment of Silicon Valley has led to a number of process and design innovations. It also gives him a unique perspective on production, quality, marketing and design Issues.
Freeman’s articles, company and products have been featured in Plastics Engineering, Appliance Manufacturer, INNOVATION, Machine Design, Plastics News, Mechanical Engineering and International Designer to name a few publications. He has spoken on many issues important to designers and manufacturers. He is considered one of the founders of the West Coast style of Thermoforming. He’s been regularly featured on Thermoforming and IDSA conference programs in the USA and in Europe.
Freeman’s products have won numerous industry awards including the 1996, 1999 and 2004 People’s Choice Awards, the Thermoforming Industry’s Top Prize. Freetech has provided pressure formed parts for 10 ID/IDEO/INNOVATION magazine award winners and has participated in the design of hundreds of products.
Freeman has been an SPE Thermoforming Division Board member since 1991. He helped develop the Thermoforming Conference, as well as the SPE Thermoforming webpage and Machinery Grant program. He has been and IDSA member since 1999. He has also been a sponsor of both national and regional conferences since 2000. Freetech Plastics also hosts the annual Student Thermoformed Parts Competition at the IDSA Internatoinal Design Conference.
