Celebrating Jim Fattori: SPE MTD’s 2025 Mold Designer of the Year

Jim Fattori of Injection Mold Consulting received the 2025 Mold Designer of the Year Award from the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Mold Technologies Division. The award was presented by Glenn Starkey of Progressive Components, the award sponsor. Source: MoldMaking Technology

If you’ve spent any time in the moldmaking community, chances are you’ve come across the name Jim Fattori — maybe in an article, at an event, or even on the shop floor. This year, Jim’s lifelong passion for molds and molding has earned him a very special honor: he’s been named the 2025 Mold Designer of the Year by the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Mold Technologies Division. The award, sponsored by Progressive Components, shines a spotlight on individuals who not only excel at mold design but also push the industry forward through innovation, leadership and mentorship.

For Jim, moldmaking is more than just a career — it’s part of who he is. A third-generation molder and moldmaker, his roots in this trade run deep. His grandfather had a booth at the NPE show way back in 1948, and by the age of 12, Jim was already spending Saturdays at the factory with his dad. He laughs when he remembers being paid 25 cents for every airline leak he fixed: “I made out like a bandit!” By 15, he had already designed his first mold. That early start set him on a path that would lead to decades of contributions to our industry.

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Over the years, Jim has worn just about every hat you can imagine —

Engineering Manager, VP of Engineering, consultant and inventor. He’s got three patents of his own and is named on 20 more. His ideas and solutions have improved processes, saved companies money and kept projects on track. But what really makes Jim stand out isn’t just his technical ability — it’s the way he shares what he knows.

Since 2017, Jim has been writing regularly for Plastics Technology and MoldMaking Technology. If you’ve read one of his 66+ published articles, you know how much time and energy he puts into them. He just wants to give back to the moldmaking and plastics communities.

Ask anyone who’s worked with Jim, and they’ll tell you he’s not just smart — he’s fun to work with. He loves mentoring younger designers, taking as much time as needed to explain concepts or guide them through challenges. And he’s just as quick to learn from them, proving that the best in this business never stop being students themselves.

His favorite advice sums it up well: “The best ways to make money on an injection mold are: 1) Get all the pertinent information up front.

2) Get several people involved, because nobody has a monopoly on brains. 

3) Have a plan if and when there's a problem during sampling.”

As part of the award, Jim received a $1,000 stipend, and in true Jim fashion, he paid it forward. He chose to donate the money to the Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA) in Schaumburg, Illinois, an organization dedicated to supporting training and workforce development in manufacturing. It’s a perfect reflection of what drives him — making sure the next generation has the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.

So here’s to Jim Fattori — mentor, innovator, and now, SPE MTD’s 2025 Mold Designer of the Year. The recognition couldn’t be more deserved, and our entire community is better for the passion and expertise he continues to share.