Vonco acquires Genesis Plastics Welding, a trusted plastics contract manufacturer.
by Genesis Plastics Welding Marketing Team Genesis Plastics Welding Marketing Team

Vonco Acquires Genesis Plastics Welding

Vonco Acquires Genesis Plastics Welding, a Trusted Plastics Contract Manufacturer

This acquisition significantly expands Vonco’s plastic contract manufacturing capabilities and services for healthcare and consumer markets.

Vonco Products LLC, an industry-leading risk-free plastic products and packaging manufacturer is excited to announce the acquisition of Genesis Plastics Welding, its third acquisition in as many years.

Indiana-based, Genesis Plastics Welding is an ISO 13485-certified:2016 thermoplastics contract manufacturer providing world-class medical device innovation and collaboration through radio frequency (RF) welding and heat sealing.

“Vonco is on a mission to create more value by broadening the scope of our innovative services and product lines for our customers,” said Keith Smith, CEO of Vonco.

This acquisition will enable Vonco to provide exceptional support and value to clients who need specialty medical devices, fluid bags, flexible packaging, contract packaging and sterilization management. Additional capabilities include:

  • RF welding and heat sealing manufacturing
  • Increased clean room manufacturing footprint
  • Expanded product offerings: bioprocessing, cell separation and culture, cryogenic storage, and blood bags

For nearly three decades, Genesis has tailored its custom solutions to create value and reduce risk by providing breakthrough single-use fluid bags and other disposable healthcare products. Their expertise in RF welding, in combination with industry experience, helped leading OEMs with concept design, process and product validation, materials selection and evaluation, prototyping, product and process improvement, sterilization, PVC replacement and much more.

Tom Ryder, CEO of Genesis, said “We pride ourselves on staying on top of the latest industry trends and technologies to support and understand our clients’ business needs, he continued, “We are assured to know that Vonco aligns with our passion to collaborate with current and future customers to manufacture life saving devices and provide solutions that enable innovation.”

Smith added, “This acquisition will support our mission of “We care more”, by merging the talent of both organizations and supporting our ability to produce even more end-to-end solutions for our customers. The addition will expand our plastic contract manufacturing capabilities within our current line of infection prevention, medical fluid bags and specimen transport products. Genesis Plastics Welding clients can expect to receive even greater quality, support, service, and innovation as both teams integrate.”

To learn more about the Genesis Plastics Welding acquisition visit www.vonco.com/genesis-plastics-welding, call 800.323.9077, or email sales@vonco.com.

Vonco is an FDA-registered facility with Class II medical device capability and is ISO 13485:2016-certified.

About Vonco
Vonco Products delivers the experience, innovation, technology, and creativity needed to take ideas from concept to commercialization – as quickly as possible. Both a packaging company and a components company, Vonco fills a unique space of manufacturing both custom flexible packaging solutions, and custom flexible component solutions. Vonco started as a custom equipment and packaging pioneer. Now with over sixty years of experience, equipment requests have shifted to designing and manufacturing customized plastic products, packaging and components. The unparalleled ability to customize liquid tight bags of any desired shape or fitment using both supported and unsupported films gives Vonco an edge over peers in medical and consumer markets.

About Genesis Plastics Welding
Genesis Plastics Welding is an Indiana-based ISO 13485:2016-certified contract manufacturer specialized in the art of radio frequency (RF) welding and heat sealing of thermoplastic components and products. As an industry leader, Genesis is a go-to manufacturing partner for flexible single-patient devices and custom fluid bags for clients worldwide.

by Genesis Plastics Welding Marketing Team Genesis Plastics Welding Marketing Team

Explore Smart Outsourcing at BPI 2023

Will we see you at BioProcess International Conference and Exhibition (BPI 2023) in Boston or San Diego this year? It’s the perfect conference and expo to explore smart outsourcing to accelerate promising biologics, cell and gene therapies for commercial success.

Known as one of the largest annual bioprocessing events, BPI is an informative and well-attended show.

The event includes conference tracks covering novel science across all phases of bioprocessing for biologics, cell and gene therapies, as well as, a digital on-demand experience and knowledgeable exhibitors with expertise supporting the entire spectrum of biopharma development and production.

This year’s agenda includes even more of the industry’s top scientists presenting on the latest updates on how to improve efficiencies across all phases of biopharmaceutical development and production.

Attend BPI 2023

With a 3-day attendee pass, you’ll be able to connect face-to-face with 1800+ global scientists, engineers and executives working across the entire spectrum of biopharmaceutical development and production.

Plus, access the latest technologies and innovation through live exhibit displays from 200+ global suppliers, CDMOs and CROs who can accelerate your promising biologics towards commercial success, and stay at the forefront of innovation by accessing peer-submitted, unpublished research from scientists across North America, Europe and Asia.

Don’t Miss It

Make sure you don’t miss the technology showcases in the BPI 2023 Theater located inside the exhibition. You’ll be able learn about today’s leading products and technologies that can help accelerate your products to market

And – make sure to stop by Genesis Plastic Welding’s booth at BPI. We can’t wait to chat custom 2D and 3D fluid bags to support your bioprocessing operations for biologics, cell and gene therapies.

See you at BPI! And download our free 2D and 3D bioprocessing fluid bag checklist here.

Tom Ryder, Genesis Plastics Welding
by Genesis Plastics Welding Marketing Team Genesis Plastics Welding Marketing Team

2022 Biotech, Biopharma and Contract Manufacturing

It has been a rough couple of pandemic years. We’ve seen market changes, disruptions— and even some major advances within Biotech, Biopharma and medical device. Yes, friends, hope springs eternal, and as we continue to navigate this new normal, our team is looking forward to a 2022 filled with new projects, business relationships and exciting trends within Biotech!

Things are Looking Bright for Biotech & Medical Device in 2022

2022 is looking extremely bright for many industries, including Biotech and medical device! Industry experts predict overall revenue growth driven by continued innovation and emerging technologies.

As markets evolve and drive opportunity, it should be a banner year for medical device-focused contract manufacturers, as well. Growth for many Biotech, Biopharma and medical device OEMs is presenting capacity questions – expand or farm out? With ever-narrowing margins and increased competition, strategic outsourcing bridges the gap quickest and most efficiently. Contract manufacturing partners like Genesis Plastics Welding with medical device design, development and production expertise will be key in helping these OEMs hit the ground running in 2022 and beyond.

So what else can start-ups, OEMs, creators and contract manufacturers look forward to in 2022? Well, a few exciting things and a few continued challenges. Let’s unpack the predicted trends.

  • The continuation of global supply chain challenges – especially within plastics and paper. Strong supply chain relationships and proactive inventory management will be key in 2022. Having an agile contract manufacturing partner skilled in the art of pivoting will help keep much-needed medical device products flowing to market.
  • Acceleration and evolution of point-of-care diagnostic devices – especially rapid-response technologies and devices. The development of these types of in-demand devices in 2020 and 2021 is where Biopharma excelled. I believe we’ll continue to see this trend.
  • A rebound of elective procedures and the medical devices that support them – With the current Covid surge and the Omicron variant, these are once again on hold, but I believe it will be short-lived and elective procedures will be back by spring. We are currently seeing an increase in R&D around devices to support surgical procedures, and that is a great sign.
  • Challenges of increased labor costs across all industries – At the core of a collaborative contract manufacturer is a deep desire to serve well and continually reduce costs and improve efficiency. Despite the hurdles of the pandemic and disruptions caused by labor shortages and labor cost increases, I believe the medical device contract manufacturing industry will continue to rebounded and pivot to serve customers and be a lifeline for Biotech, Biopharma and medical device OEMs.
  • Continued integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within medical device – Daily, we become a more and more connected world. We’ll see even more AI within medical device, especially diagnostics and robotic-assisted surgery.

No matter the medical device, Biotech or Biopharma trends, one key to continued success will be a focus on leveraging strong business partnerships to help bring breakthrough life enhancing, healing and life saving devices to market as quickly as possible. At the center, is smart outsourcing—whether you are in the early design and development phases, prototyping and validation or manufacturing, having outsourced expertise, like Genesis Plastics Welding, on your side can move you faster and more competitively into the market.

Did you know we have a dedicated medical device design and development division? Let’s chat.

Moreover, we all have a lot of living to do this year. The GPW team looks forward to thriving and growing together! Cheers!

-Tom Ryder

by Genesis Plastics Welding Marketing Team Genesis Plastics Welding Marketing Team

Meet Our Intern: Ethan Steinke

Ethan Steinke’s passion for engineering began his freshman year of high school after several friends recommended that he take a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) class. Now, Ethan works as a collegiate intern with Genesis Plastics Welding creating prototypes of medical crisis equipment. 

Meet Collegiate Biotech Manufacturing Intern Ethan Steinke

Ethan is a sophomore mechatronics major at Purdue Polytechnic Institute in Anderson, Indiana. This past spring, Ethan heard through his university that Genesis was looking for interns. After applying and attending a formal interview, Ethan was accepted into the program where he has worked for almost four months. 

“Interning with Genesis is great,” says Ethan. “It’s very easy to get acclimated there. They’ll let you be hands on, and if you mess up, they accept it. Genesis encourages you to learn from your mistakes and keep going.” 

A typical Genesis workday begins at 8 am. Ethan spends his time either building CAD models or manually assembling medical equipment prototypes in what is called the “Clean Room.” Here, after suiting up in a gown and washing his hands, Ethan builds the parts he has digitally created, using heavy machinery to cut and weld the pieces. This process can take anywhere between three to eight hours depending on the quantity of pieces. 

“It’s hard work, but it’s worth it,” says Ethan. “It’s so cool to see something you make actually come to fruition.”

It often takes teams of three or more engineers to complete a CAD project. As an intern, Ethan collaborates with his team and their supervisor, Nathan Glass. 

“As a supervisor, Nathan makes sure our team is staying on track,” says Ethan. “He shows me how to properly do things so that I can get better. That’s the whole point of an internship; you’re not going to know everything, so the engineers at Genesis try to teach you.”

Throughout his internship thus far, Ethan has learned a variety of technical skills, including how to fabricate pieces using a variety of machines and equipment. In addition to these useful engineering skills, Ethan has adopted the values of hard work and dedication. 

“This internship has taught me basic discipline, such as how to take orders and do things correctly,” says Ethan. “I have also learned about the importance of being open and honest with others.”

Ethan describes Genesis as a place that is inclusive and accepting of inspiring engineers. He is confident that his internship with Genesis will help set him up for future success. 

“I want to be an engineer who helps people and makes sure the job gets done,” says Ethan. “The lessons I’ve learned at Genesis will always help me in the long run.”

Tom Ryder, Genesis Plastics Welding
by Genesis Plastics Welding Marketing Team Genesis Plastics Welding Marketing Team

[In the News] IMDMC Elects Officers

The Indiana Medical Device Manufacturers Council (IMDMC) has elected four to serve as officers on the Executive Board.

Tom Barnett, Director of Government Affairs for Roche Diagnostics, will serve as Board President. Barnett joined Roche Diagnostics in 2000. Previously he had held various roles in marketing and governmental affairs, including leadership positions at Bristol-Myers Squibb.  

“The medical devices sector is one of Indiana’s largest and most valuable economic assets representing more than 150 companies and employing more than 20,000 people. I look forward to leading IMDMC as we continue to do good work serving as an advocate, connector, and resource for Indiana’s medical device companies,” said Barnett. 

Other officers elected are as follows: Tom Ryder, President and CEO for Genesis Plastics Welding, will serve as Vice President; Troy Linder, Chief Financial Officer for Fort Wayne Metals, will serve as Treasurer; and Anne Hathaway, Executive Director for IMDMC, will serve as Secretary. 

The organization works to promote, educate, and advocate for Indiana’s medical device industry to advance the performance of our member firms and to cultivate a business environment in which member companies can flourish. IMDMC member companies produce the medical devices, diagnostic products and health information systems that are transforming patient care and patient safety. IMDMC members range from the largest to the smallest medical device innovators and companies. For more information, visit www.imdmc.org.