Printpack Invests in Medical Device Packaging

Flexible packaging and rigid container manufacturer Printpack Inc. has formed a new medical packaging division offering packaging products compatible with radiation, electron beam, and EtO sterilization for medical devices, hospital supplies, and lab ware. These include KwikBreathe Header Bags, Linear Tear Bags, KwikTear Bags, Center Strip Bags, and various forming films and top webs. The product family unites the longstanding brands of KwikBreathe and KwikTear obtained through acquisition with Printpack’s PerformX film technology, which offers a number of performance attributes customized to specific application needs.
In September 2010, Printpack acquired Marshall Flexibles in Marshall, NC, a facility Amcor had to divest after its acquisition of Alcan’s Medical Flexibles business.

According to Dave McMullen, vice president and general manager of the new medical packaging division, Printpack had been looking to enter the medical market segment for several years. “Marshall offered an opportunity to enter the market by acquiring a facility with world-class equipment and people experienced in servicing a high-quality customer base of leading medical device manufacturers. The barriers to entry in this market segment are relatively high, and Marshall provided a timely opportunity to gain access to these quality customers and knowledgeable team of associates.”

Printpack acquired the longstanding brand KwikTear through the purchase of Marshall Flexibles in Marshall, NC.

Printpack plans to build upon its existing and recently acquired capabilities by investing in additional plant and equipment to support customer needs. “Printpack plans to combine the best practices of both organizations and to invest to keep Printpack Medical Packaging on the leading edge of manufacturing and product technology. We view this marketplace as a global growth platform as we continue to expand our global footprint,” McMullen explains.

All Printpack facilities are certified to ISO 9001, while Marshall is certified to ISO 13485. Printpack plans to leverage the combined knowledge and capabilities of both organizations to create an even greater customer-focused approach to the medical packaging industry. 

McMullen says the company focuses on “innovation in package design, materials and functionality, supply chain management, packaging machinery support, and value engineering.”

The company is currently investing in Marshall’s manufacturing equipment and quality systems. “We have developed a new line of forming films allowing customers to realize cost benefits by downgauging without sacrificing performance,” says McMullen. “We are also in the process of developing a family of lid stock materials to match up with our medical forming film product family. New header bag capacity has been added to reduce order cycle times, and pouch making is planned for the future.”

Printpack is uniting its PerformX film technology with forming films and top webs acquired through the purchase of Marshall Flexibles into one product family.

“We are also making a significant investment in our associates with training and development programs to support our business objectives as well as investing in our associates health and wellness,” he concludes.

Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Printpack is a privately held company. Employing 4,220 associates worldwide, the company operates 28 manufacturing facilities in the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Poland, and China.

Printpack is an authorized converter of DuPont Tyvek for medical device packaging.