A medical device OEM sought a heat-sealing expert with a strong focus on quality to produce disposable surgical instrument covers. The OEM was looking for an outsourced manufacturing company that could go beyond just building parts and becomes a complete partner. By outsourcing a portion of production to Vonco, the company-maintained costs while increasing productivity and reducing risk to the supply chain.
THE CLIENT Medical device manufacturer specializing in infection control and oncology solution products.
THE CHALLENGE The medical device manufacturer specializing in instrument covers and oncology solution products faced a unique challenge when they recognized the need for a second source for their oncology line of products to minimize risk to the supply chain. The need was specific for a heat-sealing expert with a strong focus on quality, this time for production of disposable surgical instrument covers. Typically made from polyurethane or polyethylene, covers are a high performance, low maintenance product used in a variety of medical procedures, including surgeries. Instrument covers require airtight and watertight seals with precise folds in order to ensure ease of use in the surgical setting. Since they provide hygiene and infection control and reduce cross contamination risks, strict attention to quality standards is a critical part of production. After years of making the disposable surgical instrument covers in-house, the OEM began experiencing growth in demand and could no longer keep up with production. The company struggled to hire enough qualified staff to support production and faced high overhead costs. They needed a way to continue growing without raising costs to remain competitive.
THE SOLUTION The medical device company was looking for an outsourced manufacturing company that could go beyond just building parts. They needed a complete partner. Vonco had already proven once to be a competent partner. Additionally, Vonco’s quality systems were designed to be compliant with ISO 13485 and Medical Device Quality System Regulation 21 CFR 820. True to the collaborative nature of the relationship, Vonco and the OEM even worked together to plan and qualify Genesis’ Class 7 Medical Clean Room. Vonco also provided weekly shipments and just in time delivery which enabled the company to maintain inventory levels, as well as have a constant production flow in and out.
THE RESULTS By outsourcing a portion of production to Vonco, the company-maintained costs while increasing production and reducing risk to the supply chain. Vonco’s responsiveness to scheduling and order changes has helped the company quickly respond to customer feedback. Over the years, the innovative partnership has continued. Vonco has acted as a consultant during each phase of production, offering ways to improve cost-effectiveness and efficiency on everything from material choices to logistics. Vonco also connected the company with multiple new film suppliers and resin experts that helped substantially save on costs.
“Vonco’s’ technical expertise, strict adherence to quality and industry knowledge has enabled us to maintain growth and keep up with market demand, without increasing costs or sacrificing the integrity of our products,” said the medical device company’s president and CEO. “More than that, they’ve become a complete and collaborative partner for us, leveraging their experience to provide us with innovative solutions that allow us to continuously improve our processes and products.