Founded in 1937, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) is the only trade association representing all segments of the third largest manufacturing industry in the United States - an industry that employs 1.1 millioin workers and provides nearly $379 billion in annual shipments. Headquartered in Washington DC, SPI promotes business development via a suite of commercial services and trade shows, fosters the sustainable growth of plastics in the global marketplace, provides industry representation in the public policy arena, fights against material taxes and bans at the local and state levels, and communicates the industry's contributions to society and the benefits of its products.