As a family-owned contract manufacturer with over 60 years of experience, our operations have grown a lot over the last several decades. One of the key ways we’ve evolved over time is finding ways to incorporate sustainable manufacturing processes into our facilities.

Our investment in a state-of-the-art granulator machine reflects that commitment, helping us reduce waste, reuse materials, and support a circular manufacturing economy.

What Does a Granulator Machine Do?

A granulator is a key tool in plastic recycling. It takes leftover plastic from the production process, whether it’s edge trim, purgings, or unused thermoformed parts, and breaks it down into small, uniform pieces called “regrind.” These pieces can be reused internally or sent to plastic manufacturers to be turned into new products, like water bottles or packaging components.

The process works like this:

• Plastic scrap is fed into the granulator’s cutting chamber.
• Inside, rotating blades slice the material into smaller pieces.
• These are then passed through a screen to achieve the desired size.
• The final product is clean, consistent plastic granules ready for reuse.

Janco’s granulator, manufactured by Cumberland (a leader in granulation since 1939), is designed to handle high-volume parts and demanding materials. It’s powerful enough to manage even thick purgings and large thermoformed components—making it ideal for a busy medical contract manufacturing environment like ours.

How Plastic Regrinding Supports Sustainability

Using a granulator has wide-reaching environmental benefits. By regrinding and recycling plastic waste on-site, we’re able to:

• Reduce landfill waste: Instead of discarding scrap materials, we recycle them into a usable form.
• Conserve resources: Recycled plastic reduces the demand for virgin resin and fossil fuel extraction.
• Lower greenhouse gas emissions: According to a 2019 study in Technologies journal, reusing plastic significantly reduces the energy footprint compared to producing new materials.
• Support a circular economy: Regrind can be used in non-medical applications or by partners who produce industrial-grade plastic products.

The Plastics We Recycle Using Our Granulator

Janco works with a wide range of plastic materials across our medical manufacturing projects—and our granulator is capable of handling regrind from nearly all of them. We use the following plastics for contract manufacturing products:

• PET
• PETG
• PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate)
• HIPS (High impact polystyrene)
• TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethanes)
• Acrylic
  PVC (Polyvinyl chloride)
• Kydex® (a trademarked acrylic/PVC alloy)
• ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)
• PC (Polycarbonate)
• PP (Polypropylene)
• PS (Polystyrene)
• HDPE (High-density polyethylene)

Many of these materials are excellent candidates for recycling, either into medical-grade components (where regulations allow) or into secondary applications through our supplier partners.

How Janco Uses the Granulator

Our granulator is fully integrated into our day-to-day medical packaging and thermoforming operations. When off-cuts or rejects occur, they’re immediately routed for regrinding, keeping waste out of the bin and in the production cycle.

Here’s how it benefits our process:

• Supports internal recycling workflows, reducing the need for disposal services.
• Provides cost-effective regrind material for plastic manufacturers.
• Minimizes downtime by managing scrap efficiently.
• Contributes to green manufacturing initiatives that our partners value.

Responsible Medical Manufacturing Starts with Smart Equipment

Sustainability in medical manufacturing goes beyond energy-efficient buildings or cleanrooms – it includes what you do with your waste. At Janco, we take pride in making responsible choices that benefit both our customers and the environment. The addition of our granulator machine is just one more way we’re building a smarter, cleaner future.

Want to learn more about our contract manufacturing capabilities?

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

The post Enhancing Sustainability with Janco’s Granulator Machine appeared first on Janco Inc.

At Janco, we’ve spent the past six decades perfecting the art of custom industrial contract manufacturing, offering a seamless, integrated approach to your production needs. When you consolidate your operations with us, you’re not just simplifying your supply chain—you’re gaining a partner dedicated to making your business run smoother, more efficiently, and more cost-effectively.

Our extensive range of capabilities means that regardless of your project requirements, Janco has the expertise to deliver. From thermoforming and compression molding to die-cutting, assembly, and cleanroom packaging, we cover all aspects of the manufacturing process – our specialties include both the medical industry as well as a wide range of other industrial needs, such as sports gear, electronics, and automotive manufacturing.

By choosing Janco for multiple project needs, you eliminate the complexities of working with multiple suppliers. This consolidation means fewer headaches, reduced risk of miscommunication, and a streamlined process that allows for more consistent quality and faster turnaround times.

Here are a few of the ways we work to make your job easier:

One Purchase Order, Simplified Logistics

Managing multiple vendors often means juggling numerous purchase orders, invoices, and delivery schedules. This complexity can lead to increased administrative costs and the potential for costly errors. With Janco, you can simplify this process by consolidating all your manufacturing needs into a single purchase order.

With everything under one roof, you can trust us to handle every aspect of production, reducing your logistics burden and freeing up your resources to focus on other critical areas of your business.

Simplifying the Process and Adding Value

Our team is committed to making your manufacturing experience as easy as possible. We work closely with you from the initial design phase through to the final product, providing expert guidance and support at every step. Whether you’re refining an existing design or developing a new product, our engineers—many of whom have been with us for decades — bring a wealth of experience to the table. We help you optimize designs, select the best materials, and ensure that your products meet the highest standards of quality and performance.

We thrive on tackling complex, challenging projects and co-developing solutions that meet your unique needs. Our problem-solving expertise, honed over six decades, ensures that even the most difficult manufacturing challenges are met with innovative, effective solutions.

Cost-Effective Manufacturing Solutions

Cost efficiency is a cornerstone of Janco’s approach. By consolidating your manufacturing needs with us, you not only simplify your operations but also reduce costs. Our in-house capabilities allow us to offer competitive pricing, while our streamlined processes minimize waste and maximize efficiency.

This means you get high-quality products at a lower cost, helping you stay competitive in your market. Plus, our range of services is all-encompassing and includes:

• Compression Molding
• Thermoforming
• Assembly
• Packaging
• Laminating
• Mold Making
• Die Cutting
• RF Sealing
• CNC Milling
• Industrial Foam Fabrication
• Distribution of Foam & Plastic
• Regulatory Excellence: A Commitment to Quality

In the medical and industrial sectors, regulatory compliance is non-negotiable. Janco operates in state-of-the-art ISO 14644-1 Class 7 and Class 8 certified cleanrooms, ensuring that all our products meet the stringent requirements of the FDA and other regulatory bodies.

Our commitment to quality and compliance means that you can trust us to deliver products that not only meet but exceed industry standards, safeguarding your reputation and ensuring the safety and efficacy of your products.

Personalized Service

At Janco, we believe in the power of personal connections. When you partner with us, you’re not just another client—you’re part of the Janco family. That’s why many of our clients have been with us for decades, and our customer retention is one of the elements of our business that we’re most proud of.

When you call us, you’ll speak directly with our team, not a machine. Our customer service is built on accessibility and responsiveness, ensuring that you always have the support you need, when you need it. We’re here to answer your questions, provide updates, and ensure that your project stays on track.

Six Decades of Excellence in Manufacturing

For 60 years, Janco has been at the forefront of manufacturing, delivering high-quality products and unparalleled service to our clients. Our longevity in the industry is a testament to our commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction. When you choose Janco, you’re partnering with a company that has a proven track record of success and a team dedicated to helping you achieve your objectives.

Want to Consolidate Your Manufacturing Needs?

Consolidating your manufacturing needs with Janco is more than just a way to simplify your operations—it’s a strategic decision that can drive your business forward. With everything under one roof, a single purchase order, and a commitment to adding value at every stage, Janco offers a seamless, cost-effective solution that meets the highest standards of quality and regulatory compliance.

Our approach to customer service and our expertise in tackling complex industrial challenges make us the ideal partner for your manufacturing needs.

Contact us today to learn how Janco can streamline your operations and help take your business to the next level.

The post Streamline Your Contract Manufacturing Projects with Janco appeared first on Janco Inc.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, supply chain issues have been a hot topic across multiple industries, ranging from furniture and home goods to electronics, auto parts, and even groceries.

There is a wide range of theories as to what exactly caused the issue, and what has caused certain problems to continue for so long, but the truth is that a number of complex factors are involved. One simple factor at the core of the current supply chain issue is that while much of the world was shut down, industrial activity slowed, as did the demand for many products.

Now, as many parts of the world move back towards normalcy, product demand has sky-rocketed, causing a bottleneck for several manufacturers who are struggling to keep up with consumer demand.

Some core problems contributing to this bottleneck include:

• Lack of raw materials needed to manufacture products
• Backlog of orders continuing to grow rather than lessening
• Worker shortages across factories
• Shortage of truck drivers to transport materials and goods
• Tightened border controls delaying international shipments

As it stands, those of us in the contract manufacturing industry are doing everything in our power to continue serving our clients with as little disruption as possible, while also being cognizant of our vendors’ struggles to deliver certain materials.

How Janco Continues to Serve You

Our goal, at the end of the day, is to best serve you, which means keeping timelines tight and costs low, delivering the quality packaging and products that we’ve been known for in the industry for decades.

Capabilities such as laminating and die cutting remain unaffected by external supply chain issues, and we’re also in possession of a wide range of foams for other manufacturing needs. To find out exactly what we have in stock at any given time, reach out to our team directly to discuss your needs and learn how we can help.

If we don’t have the exact grade or color of foam that you may be looking for, our team will put our decades of experience to use making alternative recommendations to bring your packaging or product to life without having to make compromises when it comes to quality or functionality.

Ready to get started on your next project?

Get in touch with our team to see how Janco can help.

The post Supply Chain Issues in Manufacturing – What You Need to Know appeared first on Janco Inc.