Genesis Plastics Welding projects sales growth of 18% to 22%

Growing demand for engineered  bags coupled with a major expansion will fuel sales growth of 18% to 22% this year at Genesis Plastics Welding (Fortville, IN), CEO Tom Ryder said in an interview today at MD&M East in Philadelphia.

The company, which has a proprietary technology to RF weld olefin medical plastics, recently added a third Class 7 medical cleanroom in response to growing demand for single-use and easy-to-sterilize medical devices. Genesis is a contract manufacturer of specialized plastic bags. The company's employment has grown from 48 in 2009 to 87 today.

"Increasingly, engineers are coming to us and saying we have this problem," Ryder said. "Can you help us fix it?"

One example is REDpoint's StedLine IV Sleeve, which acts as a stabilizing device for an IV primary line set. Ryder said the the product  improves patient comfort and also reduces the risk of failure. Genesis engineers suggested use a bicomponent film made of copolyester string coated with polyethylene.

It's also an example of how newly developed medical products are trending away from flexible polyvinyl chloride, which some critics say may present a health risk for vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women and infants.

Ryder said that business at Genesis is also benefitting from increasing interest in domestic manufacturing. "Labor costs in China have risen significantly, and are projected to grow 15% to 18% annually."

In one recent example, Genesis picked up new business when a company called ThermaZone decided to restore production following design, quality and supply chain problems in China. The company makes products that offers continuous and targeted heating and cooling therapy and drug-free pain relief.

Genesis manufactures several products including blood pressure cuffs, instrument covers, media reservoir bags, inflatable bladders, hot and cold therapy devices, compression therapy sleeves and coolant bags, and fluid drainage bags.