Janco is excited to announce our attendance at the 2025 Design-2-Part Show, happening March 11-12, 2025, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. This premier event brings together American manufacturers, engineers, and product designers to explore exciting solutions for custom parts, innovative materials, and advanced manufacturing processes.

With over 60 years of experience delivering custom contract manufacturing solutions, Janco is committed to staying at the forefront of emerging technologies and industry best practices. Events like Design-2-Part give us the opportunity to connect with other industry leaders, explore innovative new ideas, and discover process improvements that ultimately benefit the customers we serve.

This year, we’ll be represented by Tim McGonagle, a Sales Manager at Janco for nearly two decades.

What is Design-2-Part Florida?

The Design-2-Part Show focuses on helping manufacturers and product developers source quality parts and reliable partners to bring their designs to life. This year, the event will feature:

• 150+ American contract manufacturers offering solutions across medical devices, aerospace, electronics, industrial equipment, and more.
• Live demonstrations of cutting-edge processes, from precision machining to advanced materials.
• Opportunities for engineers, procurement teams, and product managers to connect directly with suppliers capable of meeting complex design and production challenges.
• A focus on custom, low-to-mid volume production — perfect for companies needing flexibility, quality, and precision.

As a leading industrial contract manufacturer, Janco will be attending to meet with current and future partners, explore the latest advancements in materials and processes, and stay ahead of trends impacting medical and industrial manufacturing.

You can learn more about the event through their official website.

Why is Janco Attending Design-2-Part?

At Janco, we believe that innovation thrives through collaboration — and Design-2-Part Florida gives us the chance to:

• Explore new materials, from high-performance polymers to medical-grade foams and sustainable packaging materials.
• Evaluate advanced manufacturing techniques that enhance precision, cost-efficiency, and scalability for thermoforming, die-cutting, and custom packaging.
• Connect with suppliers, partners, and innovators who share our focus on quality, compliance, and speed to market.
• Stay up to date on regulatory trends impacting medical device manufacturing, so we can better support our customers through every stage of development.

At the end of the day, our goal is to constantly find new ways to add value to our process, ensuring our capabilities are second to none. That’s why Tim is excited to share and gain knowledge at this event.

“Any time we attend events like this, it strengthens the solutions we have to offer our clients,” Tim says. “Manufacturing technology is always evolving, and our goal is always to stay ahead of the curve and offer the most effective solutions at competitive prices.”

About Janco

Janco is a family-owned contract manufacturer known for combining cutting-edge technology with the personalized care and attention that only a family business can offer. For over six decades, we’ve partnered with companies across the medical and industrial sectors, helping bring innovative products to life through custom thermoforming, advanced fabrication, and tailored packaging solutions.

Internally, compliance and quality are built into everything we do. Our facilities include ISO 13485-certified cleanrooms (Class 7 and Class 8), and we adhere to FDA regulations to ensure that every product we produce meets the strictest standards for safety, performance, and reliability.

From material selection to final packaging, we guide customers through the complexities of regulatory compliance, helping streamline the process for faster, more confident product launches.

Our goal is simple: combine innovation, experience, and collaboration to help our customers solve challenges, accelerate timelines, and bring high-quality products to market — all with the same care and respect we’d give our own family.

Want to learn more about our medical contract manufacturing capabilities?

Get in touch with our team to learn how we can add value to your next project!

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From September 25-28, 2024, Chicago hosted the North American Spine Society (NASS) 39th Annual Meeting, a pivotal event for spine care professionals. Our very own Chris Melino, Business Development Executive at Janco Inc., was on the ground to engage with thought leaders and industry innovators, showcasing our commitment to the medical sector and our ongoing support for advancements in spine care.

Advancing Medical Contract Manufacturing Knowledge

The NASS conference is renowned for its cutting-edge educational sessions, and this year was no exception. Attendees could participate in symposia, abstract presentations, and workshops focused on surgical, medical, and multidisciplinary approaches to spine care. Chris had the opportunity to learn from key opinion leaders and world-renowned experts who shared insights on the latest scientific research and developments in the field.

One highlight was the President’s Symposium, where leaders from critical federal agencies discussed pressing healthcare issues. These conversations are vital as they inform our practices at Janco, ensuring we remain aligned with regulatory trends and the evolving needs of the medical community when it comes to contract manufacturing.

Emphasizing Research and Innovation

The Research & Innovation Showcase stood out, featuring dynamic presentations on cutting-edge spine research. This focus on innovation resonates with Janco’s mission to provide reliable manufacturing services for medical components.

When it comes to spinal care, our work with TPU for packaging of spinal implants and other essential components are most essential.

Our capabilities in the medical sector include:

• Compression Molding
• Thermoforming
• Assembly
• Packaging
• Laminating

All of our capabilities are designed to meet the highest industry standards, ensuring our partners receive the best quality and value.

We understand that advancements in spine care often hinge on the availability of high-quality components, and our ISO-certified cleanroom manufacturing processes ensure that we can deliver. Our facilities are FDA registered and ISO 13485 & 14464-1 certified, allowing us to meet the rigorous demands of the medical industry.

The conference featured the world’s largest spine technical exhibition, showcasing the latest innovations in the industry. Chris was excited to explore how these new technologies can integrate with Janco’s manufacturing capabilities. Our commitment to utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and biocompatible materials is crucial for supporting advancements in spine care.

“We’re always focused on innovation in medical contract manufacturing,” Chris said after attending the conference. “Events like this help us bring new ideas to our clients and constantly improve our offerings with new knowledge and ideas.”

Our Commitment to High-Quality Medical Contract Manufacturing

Janco’s participation in the NASS conference underscores Janco Inc.’s dedication to the spine care community. As a medical contract manufacturer, we are committed to providing high-quality, cost-effective solutions that meet the demands of this dynamic field. By staying engaged with industry advancements and collaborating with leading experts, we ensure that we continue to support our partners effectively.

As we reflect on the insights gained at NASS, our team remains focused on our mission to deliver reliable manufacturing, packaging, and assembly services that uphold the highest quality standards in the industry.

Want to learn more about our medical contract manufacturing capabilities?

Get in touch with our team to learn how we can add value to your next project.

The post Chris Melino Represents Janco Inc. at the 39th Annual NASS Conference appeared first on Janco Inc.

One of our most frequent manufacturing projects, thanks in large part due to their diversity and wide range of potential uses across several industries, are blister packs.

Regardless of whether you need a crash course in why blister packs might be the best option for your needs or want to know what sets Janco’s process apart, you’ll find answers below.

Here’s what we’re covering:

• Types of Blister Packs
• Common Industry Uses
• Blister Pack Benefits
• Blister Pack Materials
• Janco’s Custom Thermoforming Process
• Why Janco?

Types of Blister Packs

Ever wonder why you’d go with a traditional blister pack VS clamshell packaging?

Trying to figure out what type of blister pack is the right fit for your needs depends on several variables, from the product you’re packaging to the quantity that you need to manufacture.

While there are a ton of similarities in terms of benefits, there are also some essential differences that make each type of blister pack ideal for specific product needs. Here’s a quick breakdown of what sets different models apart.

Clamshell: Most variations of blister packs use a cardboard backing, but a clamshell package is a bit different. Instead, two plastic pieces are hinged together in the thermoforming process, either at the side or at the base. This comes in handy in a variety of different ways, allowing clamshell packaging to stand upright on shelves when stocked in stores.

Our custom design process gives you the freedom to ensure the clamshell is aligned with your distinct needs, so the plastic may be heat-sealed closed on both ends or have a button to snap one side open and shut.

Most commonly, clamshells are used for sets that have more than one part, such as tool sets with several nuts and bolts or toy sets with multiple small parts. Generally, this type of packaging gives your product the same level of protection as any other blister packaging but works best for products that require more of a unique approach or need to be re-sealed after use.

Face Seal Blister Packs: This is what would be considered a traditional blister pack, where the plastic blister is designed and manufactured to fit your product (or several products) and then heat-sealed to a cardboard backing. This is ideal for packaging items made in large quantities because it’s fairly inexpensive compared to other options.

Trapped Blister Packs: This is the most similar to the traditional blister pack, but there are a few key differences. With a trapped blister, the name says it all – your plastic will be trapped between two pieces of cardboard. In addition to the usual cardboard backing, another piece is added over the front to cover the shape of your product using our custom die-cutting process. Because this doesn’t require blister pack heat-sealing methods, trapped blister packaging it’s generally a cheaper option.

Full-Face Seal Blister Packs: In another variation of the classic blister pack, the plastic surrounds both the product as well as the cardboard backing that supports it. Depending on your unique design needs, the plastic is heat-sealed to the card or slid through additional plastic pieces on each side. A full-face seal blister is typically used to enforce the strength of the blister pack packaging.

Full Card Blister Packs: Similar to a full-face seal blister, the plastic on a full card blister is manufactured to cover the entirety of the cardboard backing. Instead of using the typical heat-sealing process, this uses flanges that wrap around to seal the plastic.

Need help selecting the right type of blister pack for your packaging needs? We’ll provide the guidance you need.

Get in touch

Common Industry Uses for Blister Packs

Our team has served a wide range of industries over the years, offering custom solutions with the quality and precision that you depend on.

Even within each industry, there are multiple potential uses for blister packs. Below are some of the common uses we design and manufacture blister packs for in-house, but if the item you’re thinking of isn’t on the list, reach out! Our job is to find a solution.

Medical Industry Blister Pack Uses:

• Medical devices
• Medical implants
• Medical and surgical instrumentation

Commercial and Industrial Blister Pack Uses:

• Electronic devices and accessories
• Automotive component packaging
• Oral health products including toothbrushes and dental floss
• Batteries
• Screws, nails, nuts, and bolts
• Protective cases
• Ink cartridges

Blister Pack Benefits

Packaging your product can be as crucial as the manufacturing of your product itself. Packaging can determine a lot of variables, from how attractive your product looks on a store shelf to how protected your product is against wear and tear.

These are some key benefits to choosing a blister pack:

• Protection – Not only do blister packs offer a high degree of protection during both transportation and storage, but you can also increase protection depending on the exact model and design that you choose.
• Lightweight build – The lightweight design is great for handling, and it also means that you’ll benefit from lower transport costs, especially if you’re manufacturing and shipping large quantities of your product.
• Unique design – The unique and wide-ranging design possibilities with blister packs mean that we can adjust the packaging to your exact needs. Our team offers direct consulting to help ensure we’re adding value to your packaging.
• Easily recycled – In addition to so many practical benefits, blister packaging is also easily recyclable, so you can feel good about your packaging choices.

Blister Pack Materials

Our team can help with material selection based on the unique requirements of your packaging needs. In general, blister packaging is comprised of PET, PETG (polyethylene terephthalate), HIP (high impact polystyrene), or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic.

Our engineering team can help you select the best materials for desired properties including:

• Biocompatibility
• Anti-static
• Fire-retardancy
• Impact
• Abrasion resistance

How Blister Packs are Made

Blister packs are manufactured using our custom thermoforming process. Thermoforming involves taking a plain plastic foil (either PET, PETG, HIP, or PVC, as mentioned above) and transforms it into a three-dimensional shape by applying heat and air pressure. The plastic is molded into whatever shape is needed to bring your packaging solution to life.

Valued for being both highly customizable and cost-effective, custom plastic thermoforming at Janco allows us to manufacture single-use plastic parts with a wide range of potential uses. We frequently thermoform plastic in a variety of colors, densities, and thicknesses.

Our team also has trusted industry partners who offer injection molding services, which offer slightly different capabilities. Reach out to us directly to learn more.

Work with Janco for Your Blister Packaging Contract Manufacturing

Our team has been trusted as the go-to for quality contract manufacturing solutions for over six decades.
From the very beginning, it has been our mission to make the manufacturing process easy for you, with a team that has the experience to answer your questions and provide creative solutions for custom packaging needs.

With cutting-edge technology, an expert team of engineers and project managers, and a comprehensive quality assurance process, our team is proud to offer competitive pricing and unbeatable customer service.

Ready to manufacture custom blister packaging aligned with your unique product needs?

Reach out to Janco for the guidance and experience you need to get the job done right.

The post Blister Packs appeared first on Janco Inc.

The CapSure Sterile Barrier Packaging System delivers exceptional performance and economic efficiency. The packaging system reduces waste and optimizes the supply chain while the design ensures the orthopedic implant is protected.

“We at Guardian were happy to include our partner Janco in the AmeriStar award as a contributor to our CapSure Sterile Barrier Packaging System,” said Tracy Momany, President and CEO, Guardian Medical USA. “We envisioned a single PETG tray, capable of securing all of the different implant sizes in a family of medical devices, within our CapSure tube packaging. Janco turned this challenging concept into a functional, and award winning, reality.”

Janco is proud to have played a part in the medical manufacturing and design of this award-winning packaging. When Guardian Medical presented the design concept to Janco, the design team worked with Guardian to develop the tray and how it would work within the parameters of the larger design.

Janco continues to manufacture the PETG tray using our thermoforming technology inside Janco’s ISO-certified clean rooms.

About the Ameristar Award

The AmeriStar Awards Competition recognizes the best in professional packaging design solutions. The contest sets high criteria and looks for distinct features and advantages that deliver tangible value. Hosted and judged by a distinguished jury of packaging professionals and industry experts, Guardian Medical’s CapSure Sterile Barrier Packaging System stood out as an exemplary example of innovation in the medical device packaging field.

Janco’s Medical Packaging Capabilities

Guardian Medical is just one of a number of customers Janco works with on packaging design and manufacturing. With decades of experience in the field, Janco is synonymous with quality and consistency. We offer a number of capabilities, including thermoforming, medical device assembly, medical laminating and clean room manufacturing.

Want to learn more about how Janco can meet your medical device packaging needs? Reach out today.

The post Guardian Medical and Janco Collaboration Earns Ameristar Award appeared first on Janco Inc.

For our 60th anniversary, we wanted to highlight a bit about our history and what makes Janco different.

Part of N.H.’s manufacturing history

Janco, Inc. is based in Rollinsford, N.H., located just 90 minutes north of Boston and the major biotech and industrial manufacturing hubs within the surrounding communities. This small town has a long manufacturing tradition, beginning in 1820 with hydro-powered mills built on the Salmon Falls River. These early manufacturing facilities produced wool textiles and later cotton goods.

Manufacturing of textiles in Rollinsford continued into the 20th century and today these brick mill spaces are used by artists and traditional artisans who produce furniture, paintings, and other goods on a small scale.

In addition to the historic mills, Rollinsford also became the home of modern advanced manufacturing facilities in the 20th century, including Janco, which set up shop on its campus on Goodwin Road. It quickly became part of a larger community of advanced manufacturing companies located throughout Southern N.H. and the greater Boston region.

The beginning of Janco, Inc.

Janco was born in George Janetos’ barn in Rollinsford. At the time, George worked at a local contract manufacturer, Spaulding Fiber, which specialized in the use of fiberboard in sporting goods equipment. When George got home, he would head to the barn and experiment with polyethylene plastic resin. He took his experience and the results of those experiments and opened Janco in 1963 with his brothers Paul, Louis and Andrew. The company quickly made its mark with innovations that revolutionized the industry.

Janco was originally focused on industrial applications and developing athletic equipment. Decades later, Andrew saw a market for medical trays, packaging services and medical device assembly in certified cleanrooms. In 1985 Andrew installed the first cleanroom, launching the medical side of the business. It also made Janco the first company to produce thermoformed medical trays inside of a class 8 cleanroom.

Janco, Inc. today

Today, Janco operates a 100,000-square-foot facility that includes seven FDA-registered and ISO-certified clean rooms. The company produces high-quality and cost-effective thermoforming and compression-molded services for both medical and industrial markets, from industry leaders to start ups. All products are made in the U.S., with service available around the globe.

Janco has class 7 and class 8 ISO certified cleanrooms available for use in manufacturing, assembly and packaging services. We also have an extensive range of forming and fabricating capabilities, including laminating and compression molding of plastics and foam for a wide range of applications.

“We owe much of our success to our skilled Janco team,” said President and CEO Mark P. Janetos. “Whatever the project, they go above and beyond to deliver creative, cost-effective solutions. You not only get a skilled vendor, but a partner you can trust every step of the way.”

Want to know more about our capabilities? View our full list of industrial and medical services.

What makes Janco, Inc. different?

Customized service is at the heart of what we do. We base the”Janco Difference” on three C’s:

1. Caring – Every project is different and has specific needs. It’s why we take a customized approach to every project, taking time to answer your questions, offer unique solutions, and ensure you understand every step of the process. We believe long-lasting relationships with our customers take a high level of care.
2. Comprehensive – From design to delivery, we offer expertise and state-of-the-art technology. We’ve designed a thorough quality assurance process that ensures your products are precise, reliable, and completed with comprehensive attention to detail.
3. Competitive – Our customers expect high-quality and cost-effective execution. Our competitive solutions and unbeatable quality are part of what makes us unique

Conclusion

It takes expertise, business insight and dedication to withstand the ups and downs of 60 years in business. Janco, Inc. has earned its longevity, in part, due to its experienced staff, high-quality products and exceptional service. Whether you need a customized product solution or are working with distinct specifications that require precision, Janco’s years of experience will help you get the job done.

Contact us to learn more about our capabilities.

The post Janco Celebrates 60 Years of Thermoforming & Packaging Excellence appeared first on Janco Inc.

It’s also how Janco became a valuable customer resource for medical packaging expertise. We’ve helped customers select the right materials, source materials, create designs and prototypes and have provided advice on FDA regulations.

In this post, we’ll share our 60 years of experience in choosing foam materials for medical packaging, including Volara and Zote foam sheets, our foam brands of choice.

What is medical grade foam?

The term “medical grade foam” is not a technical term, but refers to a large category of foams used in the manufacturing of medical devices and packaging. Generally speaking, foams approved for medical applications must have at least one of the following:

• ISO 10993 biocompatibility standards certification
• FDA approval
• USP classification

At Janco, we use polyethylene closed-cell foams for our medical packaging and manufacturing applications. We rely on this type of foam because it is:

• High quality, durable and will not tear, yet is still light, which is great for packaging.
• Easy to process and good for applications that require converting, such as thermoforming, and die cutting.
• Approved for certain modes of sterilization.
• Non-particulating, meaning it won’t shed tiny particles that could contaminate a clean room environment.

We typically source polyethylene closed-cell foams from Volara and Zote because they provide the highest quality products and meet the standards our customers need to adhere to FDA requirements.

About Volara foam

Volara foam sheets are manufactured by Sekisui Voltek, a company based in Coldwater, Michigan that’s been producing high-quality cross-linked, closed-cell polyolefin foams for 50 years.

Volara’s characteristics include:

• Smooth surface
• Consistent density
• Resistant to most chemicals
• Low water absorption
• Low vapor transmission rate
• Can be used in medical applications as well as industrial, such as automotive and athletic equipment industries.

Janco is a supplier of Volara foam sheets, which means it has it on hand for your next project. Supply chain issues have caused problems for companies in recent years, so our position gives the companies we work with a unique advantage when it comes to how we source, supply materials for both high-volume and low-volume production.

About Zotefoams

Zotefoam sheets are produced by Zotefoams, the world’s largest manufacturer of lightweight crosslinked polyolefin block foams for a wide range of industries, including the biotech, pharmaceutical and medical industries.

Zotefoams are known for:

• Resistance to fire and high-temperature environments
• Insulation and vibration dampening capabilities
• Resistance to chemicals
• Durability
• Effective cushioning
• Easy to process and good for applications that require converting, such as medical packaging.

These attributes make it especially well-suited for medical packaging. They are light, durable and protect sensitive devices from both contaminants and breaking. Janco is also a Zotefoams supplier and has it available for packaging projects.

Janco medical foam capabilities and uses

At Janco, our decades of experience working with medical and industrial foams has taught us a thing or two. Not only do we provide extensive expertise, but we also offer a range of capabilities, including:

• Compression molding
• Thermoforming
• Die cutting
• Laminating
• RF Sealing

We use these processes to create medical trays and packaging for a variety of medical devices. It’s especially common for packaging of delicate instruments because of the foam’s insulation and vibration dampening characteristics.

Contact us today about your packaging needs.

Whatever your need, Janco is here to help you select the right foam and medical packaging design for your product. Over the past 60 years, we’ve developed long-lasting partnerships with leading foam manufacturers to ensure our customers always have access to the best materials on the market.

Want to know more about Janco’s capabilities and how we can meet your packaging needs? Reach out today.

The post Types of Medical Foam and Why Janco Uses Zote and Volara Foams appeared first on Janco Inc.

This post provides an overview of medical laminating services and what you need to know before talking to a contract manufacturer about your project.

What is medical laminating?

Laminating is the process of combining multiple layers of material together to form a single composite material. The laminating process involves bonding two or more layers of material using either heat, pressure, or an adhesive. It is used in a variety of industries, including the medical industry, to protect and strengthen components that are exposed to extensive use or high temperatures, such as during the sterilization process.

Medical laminating services are commonly used in the production of orthopedic medical devices, like knee and hips pads, medical packaging and medical insoles. By using medical laminating for these products, it makes them more resistant to wear and tear.

Types of materials for laminating

To fuse materials together to reach the desired width and thickness, Janco uses a flame laminator, fusing the material together with heat, or a pressure laminator that uses high-quality adhesives and physical pressure to bond the materials.

The types of laminating bonding include:

• Adhesive foam laminating
• Poron to poron microcellular urethanes foam laminating
• Fabric to foam laminating
• Films to foam laminating
• Foam to foam lamination

Janco uses a wide range of materials in its lamination processes, including:

• Multi-ply foam lamination
• Open-cell and closed-cell foam
• Lycra
• Polyester nylon
• Non-wovens
• Denier knits
• Warped knits
• Cordura

Cleanroom requirements for medical devices

The cleanroom is the final step in processing any product that uses medical laminating services. Because these products will be used in medical offices, operating rooms and to perform life-changing medical procedures, we hold ourselves to the highest standards. We also undergo regular third-party inspection and review to ensure we meet federal regulations.

All our cleanrooms are ISO 14644-1 Class 7 and Class 8 certified. In addition, our medical manufacturing facilities are FDA registered and ISO 13485 certified.

Beyond laminating services

While we contract with companies as a medical laminating service, manufacturers often require additional services to complete their projects. This includes:

• Die cutting to create components of the end product.
• Adding Velcro to the end product.
• Stitching to finish the end product.

Choosing the right laminating service vendor

When looking for the right vendor for your laminating services, look for a company that can provide a wide range of laminating services, additional services to finish your product, and can offer cleanroom capabilities. It also helps to select a company that offers design capabilities and industry insights to lean on when you need guidance. Janco has 60 years of experience and our skilled team can offer expertise on laminating services and materials.

Want to learn more about how Janco can meet your medical device packaging needs? Reach out today.

The post Medical Laminating Services: Selecting the Right Materials appeared first on Janco Inc.

When outsourcing medical packaging services, companies will need to determine the kind of materials and packaging they need for their specific application. This can be determined before meeting with a vendor or during discussions with a vendor design team. Whether determining materials or adjusting designs, working with a skilled medical packaging vendor can guide you toward the right packaging solution.

In this post, we’ll cover the types of medical packaging and the materials used, as well as how a packaging design team can help you create a more efficient and user-friendly product.

Medical packaging cleanrooms

What differentiates medical device manufacturing and packaging from other types of packaging is the need for cleanroom facilities. Certain types of medical products have to be assembled and packaged within a cleanroom, which is a controlled environment where pollutants such as airborne microbes, dust, and aerosol particles are filtered out to provide the most sterile environment possible.

Janco has ISO 14644-1 Class 7 and Class 8 certified cleanrooms for medical device assembly and packaging services. They’re monitored and tested frequently to ensure that they meet required operating parameters. Plus, all of our medical processes are regularly assessed and verified by thorough internal, independent, FDA, and customer audits.

Before signing with any vendor, ensure they meet the cleanroom standards you need to safely manufacture and package your products.

What type of medical packaging is right for your needs?

Across each of these sectors, several different types of medical packaging are common depending on your unique needs. These include:

• Trays: Medical packaging trays come in a range of different sizes and can be created from several materials. Because of the many ways that trays can be customized, they’re ideal for a range of applications, from syringes to medical devices.
• Multi-Compartment Trays: This type of medical packaging is usually manufactured from a rigid material. Multi-compartment trays are the preferred type of packaging for surgical implants, sutures (nylon, polypropylene, silk, or polyester), and a range of other more sensitive surgical items.
• Blister Packaging: Usually used to contain individual capsules inside of a box, blister packaging is used to protect medication from contamination before ingestion. Typically a peel-able layer is used as a cover, but depending on the nature of the material, blister packs can also be sealed with a push-through lidding used to access individual capsules.
• Pouches: Medical packaging pouches are ideal for use when an oddly-shaped application needs to be contained.
• Cartons: Most commonly used for products that need to be stored at room temperature, cartons are usually manufactured from fiberboards and come in a medical packaging box. You’ll typically find over-the-counter medicine, such as capsule pills, packaged in individual cartons.
• Individual-Wrap Packages: This is a popular choice for single-use applications, such as packaging for syringes. Individual-wrap packaging is usually made from plastic, but this may vary. In some instances, blister packs are also used for extra support in medical needle packaging.
• Shrink Wrapping: Typically made up of polymer plastic film, shrink wrapping is used for medical packaging when a device or item needs to be covered tightly. With heat applied, shrink wrapping creates a firm seal over whatever it is covering.

Medical packaging materials

Because medical devices and packaging often need to stand up to the stresses of sterilization, finding the right material is essential. Here are some of the types of materials used in medical packaging.

• Plastic-Plastics are a diverse and versatile set of materials used for both film shrink wrapping and medical device trays.
• Foam-Polyethylene closed-cell foams are great for medical applications because they are sturdy, easy to process, and are water resistant, among many other benefits. Foams are typically used in thermoforming medical trays.
• TPU-Thermoplastic polyurethane, or TPU, is a family of plastic films that are water, abrasion, and fungus resistant, as well as flame retardant. Available in a range of opacity, this elastic-type material meets standards for use in medical devices and complies with FDA regulations. Because it is puncture resistant and non-particulating, it is often used in packaging for protecting sharp, cutting items.

How medical packaging design helps your customer

A medical device packaging project is typically viewed as a success if the product is delivered safely and to specifications. We would argue design and ease of use are important as well.

Choosing a vendor with an in-house design team helps you come up with a packaging solution that not only meets all requirements, but is well designed, cost-effective, and easy to open and use during critical medical procedures.

For example, custom procedure trays (CPT) that are designed and built to hold instruments used during surgery are typically designed and set up for your specific procedure needs, with instruments placed in order of their chronological use.

Understanding not only how to get your product to market, but also how they will be used, helps you and your packaging vendor develop the best solution.

Medical packaging regulations and requirements

Packaging for the medical industry is heavily regulated to ensure the safety and sterilization of important products. You will need a vendor that can provide the right clean room capabilities, whether that’s sterile class 1 or ISO 14644-1 Class 8 class cleanroom.

Our team goes to great lengths to ensure we adhere to the standards and regulations that exist for the manufacturing of medical packaging. Our approach to material supplies ensures that you have access to foam or plastic materials suitable for non-sterile, or sterile class I, II, III.

Our medical manufacturing division includes ISO 14644-1 Class 7 and Class 8 certified cleanrooms and Janco is an FDA registered establishment.

Our medical packaging capabilities

Even within the medical field, there are several different sectors of medical packaging with varying needs. Our team has experience creating medical packaging for the following specialties:

• Orthopedics
• Vascular
• Respiratory
• Endoscopy
• Laboratory
• Cardiology
• Ophthalmic
• Spinal and Biologics
• Dental
• Pharmaceutical
• Veterinary
• Drug delivery

In need of medical device packaging?

Janco is proud to offer high-quality and cost-effective thermoforming and compression-molded services for the medical industry. Our team will work with you from concept and design to the assembly and packaging of your product to deliver the results you need.

The post Types of Medical Packaging – Everything You Need To Know appeared first on Janco Inc.

Companies need to know their cleanroom vendors have the capabilities, facilities and safeguards in place to meet compliance and safety standards.

At Janco, Inc, our cleanroom manufacturing facilities adhere to the highest standards and are ISO certified and FDA registered. Companies throughout the Greater Boston area have come to rely on us to provide cleanroom manufacturing and packaging services thanks in part to our focus on quality and reliability.

In this post, we’ll discuss our certifications and cover the cleanroom capabilities and facilities you’ll find at Janco’s headquarters in Rollinsford, NH.

About the Cleanroom Manufacturing Environment

A cleanroom is a regulated environment designed to control contamination by removing unwanted particles from the air, like dust and microbes. Cleanrooms are often required for manufacturing items where these small particles can affect the quality of the product, and are required for manufacturing within the medical device and pharmaceutical industry.

Cleanrooms are generally classified defined by two factors:

1. Amount of air changes per hour – the number of times that air is filtered through HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters.
2. Numbers of particles they allow – To reduce particles in the air during the process, cleanrooms will have increased air filtering.

Our Cleanroom Certifications

All our cleanrooms are monitored and tested regularly to maintain our ISO 14644-1 Class 7 and Class 8 certification and our ISO 13485 certification. In addition, our medical manufacturing facilities are FDA registered.

This includes frequent auditing through internal, independent, FDA and customer inspections. Our staff includes an Exemplar Global certified Internal Quality Management System Auditor and a CERTUS Certified ISO 19011 Internal Auditor.

What Does Class 7 & 8 Mean?

ISO standards define classes by the number of particles allowed per square foot of air, with each class allowing 10 times fewer particles than the class above it. Class 8 cleanrooms can have 100,000 particles per square foot of air, whereas Class 7 cleanrooms can have only 10,000.

Your company likely knows the class of cleanroom needed, depending on the product or packaging you’re manufacturing. In those instances where you’re looking for insights on the level of cleanroom needed, we are here to work with customers to provide the right solution for their needs.

Our Cleanroom Manufacturing Capabilities

After establishing a manufacturer can meet your cleanroom specifications, next, determine if they use the materials you need and have the right capabilities.

As a cleanroom vendor, we offer manufacturing capabilities using foam or plastic materials. This includes non-sterile, or sterile class I, II, III medical devices and packaging. We also offer a wide range of capabilities:

1. Thermoforming using high-performance foam and plastic.
2. Compression molding for sterile packaging of parts as large as 30 inches by 60 inches.
3. Die cutting at our facility offers a high level of intricacy and customization.
4. Medical device assembly includes a wide range of high-quality services, from hand assembly to fulfillment.
5. Medical packaging, including unique design and manufacturing needs using state-of-the-art equipment and materials.
6. Medical laminating used to combine two materials, often including foams or fabrics, for several types of medical products up to 60 inches wide.
7. Medical RF sealing is used to bond two layers of material together by using radio frequency (RF) energy and may be a key final step in critical medical products.
8. Medical CNC milling, or Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Milling, is a machining process using computerized controls and rotating multi-point cutting for precision.

In addition to our manufacturing capabilities, our design team can help develop packaging that ensures you’re getting the most effective product possible.

The Janco Difference

Our state-of-the-art cleanroom manufacturing facilities offer our customers not only quality assurance, but also peace of mind. Janco offers customers decades of experience, a packaging design team, and a dedication to quality. Whatever your medical device assembly or packaging needs, we are able to efficiently and effectively meet your needs.

The post Quality Assurance: What to Ask Your Cleanroom Manufacturer appeared first on Janco Inc.

While the supply chain crunch has eased since the peak of the Covid pandemic, some issues still remain, including the supply of medical grade foam.

In many cases, finding a replacement for the preferred type of foam requires approval, documentation and a lot of time and money. Your company needs assurance that the materials you need are available when you need them.

Every company should be making materials availability a primary topic of discussion with their suppliers. Before contracting with any new manufacturer, ask them about their medical foam supplies, lead times and how they plan to manage supply issues.

In this post we’ll provide an update on the medical foam supply chain issues and what to do if this is impacting your company.

Medical Foam Supply Chain

During 2020, many medical grade foam suppliers had interruptions in operations or a major slow-down in production. This caused pent-up demand for medical foam, which strained the supply chain, even when the world was largely back to normal.

Today, lead time for medical grade foam is down, yet may not be at the place that your company needs to keep up with demand. To fully understand why this issue still remains in some cases, it helps to look at the reasons for the disruption.

Reasons for the Disruption

In early 2022, we wrote a post about the availability of medical foam and supply chain issues. At that time, there was a lack of availability in the raw materials needed to manufacture the foam. There were also worker shortages at manufacturing facilities contributing to production slowdown. Tightening border controls and a truck driver shortage were also contributing factors.

Today, the supply chain issue is rooted in a lack of workforce. Personnel shortages are affecting many industries around the globe. The availability of plastic resin used in the manufacturing of foam was also impacted by a large fire in July at a plant in Mexico. These problems are likely going to take time to resolve and to get the industry back to pre-pandemic workforce levels.

In response, Janco has opted to become proactive, increasing our inventory of medical foam to keep the materials our customers need available.

What to Ask Medical Grade Foam Suppliers

For many years, price and quality were the two topics manufacturers wanted to ask their suppliers. Company reputation and cost are still important, yet supply chain issues have shifted the priorities of manufacturers.

When talking to suppliers and companies like yours, the first question companies like yours ask is often about materials lead time. At Janco, we work with Volara and Zote for medical grade foam. Depending on which foam supplier we are using for a project, it may mean a difference in lead times. Ask your medical grade foam supplier for the lead time details depending on the supplier used as well.

After lead time comes inventory. Does your supplier keep inventory on hand or do they take a just-in-time approach? Because of the unpredictable nature of medical foam supplies and lead time, it’s essential to get the full picture of how your manufacturing partner manages their inventory.

Janco’s Inventory Approach

As a customer-focused company, we are dedicated to ensuring our customers always have access to the best materials on the market. Janco has strategically positioned our team as a distributor of high-performance plastic and foams, including Volara and Zote medical foams. Janco stocks 35 different grades and thicknesses of Volara, which we keep in stock for our customers’ needs.

Our approach to inventory gives companies a unique advantage over competitors when it comes to sourcing, supply, and meeting high-volume, mid-volume, or low-volume needs.

Customizable medical packaging to meet your needs

Learn about our medical packaging capabilities, from compression molding to thermoforming. Talk to us today.

The post Medical Foam Supply Chain 2023 Outlook appeared first on Janco Inc.