LIFE SCIENCES COMPANY SPOTLIGHT: Polymer Conversions Incorporated (PCI)
Originally published: 02/15/05
BuffLink Monthly Newsletter

LIFE SCIENCES COMPANY SPOTLIGHT: Polymer Conversions Incorporated (PCI)

Polymer Conversions Incorporated (PCI) is a premier precision custom Plastics Injection molder located in Orchard Park NY.  Since 1979 PCI has specialized in highly technical, tight-tolerance medical devices, medical components, biometrics devices, gearing parts, and “turnkey” product solutions.  Jack Bertsch and Joan (Daly) Bertsch, are native Western New Yorkers, they were forced to leave the Buffalo area in the late 70’s due to the closing of Buffalo Molded Plastics.  After a time away, they knew that Buffalo needed a plastics technology center.  They came back to their roots and with a group of highly talented tool makers and plastics technicians, developed a world class technology center. Their Orchard Park, New York technology center is fully equipped with 21 Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)-monitored that applies “6 Sigma” principles to its injection molding presses ranging from 28 to 390 tons, a clean room molding area, and includes secondary operations with decorating, assembly, custom automation, packaging capabilities and a full service tool room with mold making capabilities.  PCI was initially ISO registered in 1997 and currently holds an ISO 9001:2000 registration.  

Medical and Biotechnology markets require a high level of confidence in the ability of their supplier partners to provide engineering expertise resulting in improved speed to the market, and successful clinical outcomes.  PCI’s production facility has certified class 10,000 clean room capability.  The manufacturing environment is highly controlled, monitored, and is equipped with “State Of The Science” CIM injection molding machines ensuring part consistency.  This means that statistical process control is built into the system, providing consistently high quality parts every time, and lot record retention on each manufacturing run.  PCI has been successful in taking products from design through manufacturing to commercialization; this requires early engineering involvement, which is a strong suit of PCI.  Routinely, business organizations bring PCI some of their most challenging problems and issues, and together with teamwork and technology a solution is born.  Whether the part requirements are thousands or multi –millions, PCI can meet the needs of the customers.  The investment in automation, technology, and process control allows PCI to excel in a highly competitive industry by reducing part handling and increasing part yield.

In 1991 Polymer Conversions moved from its original facility on Old French road in Cheektowaga, to its current facility in Orchard Park.  The company currently employs 75 people.  The business will continue to expand its growth in the medical and biotech market segments, and over the next 18 months will consider further expansion options at the current Orchard Park site, or an alternative location.  PCI is committed to educating its workforce and was recently extended a “Smart Grant” from New York State for training its employees on lean manufacturing.  Every PCI employee will be trained in Lean Manufacturing practices by December 31, 2005.  The Bertsch family and employees at PCI have a passion for the Buffalo/Niagara region, are committed to continuing to invest in technology, and are dedicated to grow business locally.