SteriPack has always been “very entrepreneurial,” says Tony Paolino, who handles global business development. So as Bemis Co. wraps up the acquisition of SteriPack’s medical device package converting assets, SteriPack is already planning the expansion of its contract manufacturing services. The company continues to independently own and operate its contract business within its existing facilities in Poland, Malaysia, and the United States. Paolino will be sharing SteriPack’s plans at Booth #2244 at the upcoming Medical Design & Manufacturing East 2016 June 14-16 in New York City.

“SteriPack is a project-driven company,” says Paolino. “We look to identify customer needs and look for opportunities and potential.” 

In Lakeland, FL, SteriPack currently provides contract manufacturing and contract packaging in a 7000-sq-ft Class 8 cleanroom. Capabilities include injection molding, assembly, form-fill-seal, tray and pouch sealing, and liquid and powder filling.

After the medical package converting equipment is moved out, SteriPack plans to utilize that 11,000-sq-ft cleanroom for additional contract manufacturing and packaging, for a current total of 18,000 sq ft.  “And there’s room for expansion,” adds Paolino.

The additional contract capacity may be coming at just the right time for the industry. “We’re seeing an increase in people wanting to outsource,” he says. “It’s largely due to the opportunity to have someone else manufacture for you and handle all the operational issues.” He adds that “a lot of medical companies in Florida are startups.”

SteriPack offers a breadth of support. “We are doing validation work and writing protocols as well as handling packaging design and labeling, including UDI—everything from A to Z. We can ship to sterilizers and then into our customers’ supply chains,” he says. “We have program managers and validation engineers. And we can optimize both product and package.”

For instance, SteriPack recently produced a diagnostic kit. “We redesigned the customer’s product, streamlined it, and reduced its size to 50% of what it was,” says Paolino. “We are handling injection molding, assembly, packaging, and shipping. It is being produced in a separate humidity controlled Class 8 cleanroom.

“We’re finding that a lot of customers require a high level of attention and service,” he says. “They can expect to receive the same quality and level of service SteriPack is known for.”

And while medical device companies are seeking high-quality support, they’re also cost conscious. “What we’re looking to do is to work with decision makers to determine the most viable option depending upon their requirements, cost, location. We can figure out where SteriPack most likely can manufacture or package their products. We’ll help determine the best option that we can provide for the services they require.”

Bemis’s acquisition includes all employees and SteriPack’s facility in Clara, Ireland, as well as its packaging business and converting assets located in the Florida and Malaysia locations, according to a news release. Said Garry Moore, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SteriPack Contract Manufacturing, of the acquisition: “We believe that Bemis will continue to build upon the strong customer relationships and world class operations established by SteriPack over the last 21 years. We look forward to focusing on the development of our contract manufacturing business across the globe.”

For more details, visit SteriPack Contract Manufacturing at Booth #2244 at the upcoming Medical Design & Manufacturing East 2016 June 14-16 in New York City.