The Right Place assists medical device packaging company with Kentwood expansion

Today, The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), announced that medical device packaging engineering firm, Packaging Compliance Labs, LLC (PCL) will be expanding its current operations at 4334 Brockton Dr SE in Kentwood. In addition to a capital investment of $2.57 million, the company will bring 27 new jobs to the area.

PCL was founded in 2014 as a solution to a stagnated healthcare packaging industry. Headquartered in Kentwood, Mich., PCL specializes in helping global medical device manufacturers launch new devices to market faster while maintaining regulatory compliance around the globe.

PCL, along with its sister company, SmartStart Medical, LLC (SSM), will take on the additional 27 jobs as a result of this expansion. SSM specializes in device cleaning, packaging, sterilization, and pilot production for new medical technologies.

“Packaging Compliance Labs is in the midst of an exciting period of growth,” said Matthew Lapham, President, Packaging Compliance Labs. “We’re thankful that The Right Place and their partners at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation have provided continuous support to our business as we’ve prepared for this upcoming expansion.”

The MEDC is supporting the expansion with a $135,000 Jobs Ready Michigan grant, a program designed by the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) to address the cost associated with recruiting and training individuals for occupations that are high-wage, high-skill, or high-demand.

“West Michigan’s medical device manufacturing industry has grown steadily over the last five years at a rate of about ten percent,” said Eric Icard, senior business development manager for The Right Place and project lead, “These are high-paying, high-quality jobs that are contributing to our regional economy. When a company like Packaging Compliance Labs chooses to expand here, it makes way for continued growth as they create an increasingly efficient supply chain for medical device manufacturers in the area.”

Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley also shared his optimism about what PCL’s expansion will mean for his community.

“Having an innovative firm like Packaging Compliance Labs bring more jobs and investment to Kentwood is excellent for our residents and for the community at-large,” Kepley said. “We are glad to be home to Packaging Compliance Labs and commend the company’s efforts to provide critical solutions to the health care industry when they are needed most.”