March 10, 2025

#79 Medical Device Packaging & Contract Manufacturing with Keith Smith: Avoiding Catastrophic Failures, Supply Chain Secrets & Million-Dollar Mistakes

31 minutes

Keith Smith, President of Vonco Products, a leader in medical device packaging and contract manufacturing. Keith has spent years refining the science behind sterile packaging solutions, ensuring that medical products survive extreme conditions, from freezing temperatures to high-pressure airline transport

In this episode, we uncover why medical packaging is far more than just a box, it's a critical component in ensuring safety, sterility and regulatory compliance. Keith shares real-world failures where improper packaging led to catastrophic outcomes, the rigorous testing required to meet global standards and how manufacturers can avoid costly recalls. We also discuss the benefits and pitfalls of outsourcing medical device production, why some companies thrive with contract manufacturing while others struggle and Keith’s own entrepreneurial journey from acquiring Vonco to leading it into the medical device space

Timestamps:

[00:00:27] Why Medical Device Packaging is Critical for Patient Safety

[00:02:30] The Hidden Dangers of Poorly Designed Packaging

[00:05:46] Surviving Extreme Conditions: Cold, Heat & Pressure

[00:07:02] Global Packaging Regulations: Why Standards Vary by Region

[00:10:16] The Pros & Cons of Outsourcing Medical Device Manufacturing

[00:13:43] From Food Packaging to MedTech: The Evolution of Vonco

[00:20:54] Leadership & Entrepreneurship: Lessons from Running a Business

Get in touch with Keith Smith - https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-smith-725508b/

Get in touch with Karandeep Badwal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karandeepbadwal/

Follow Karandeep on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KarandeepBadwal

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