ESSEX, UK, Jan 15, 2026 – Europlaz expects NHS (National Health Service) demand for sustainable supply chains to increase domestic manufacturing. The company also anticipates gains in some market segments as US tariffs redirect work from overseas competitors. Further growth is expected from startups that build products and markets, then sell the technology to contract manufacturers that holds international regulatory approvals.
After completing a £4m investment program, Europlaz expanded cleanroom capability and strengthened its commercial team over the past year. The changes supported a 20% revenue increase in 2025, bringing combined domestic and international sales to £15.5m.
Rory O’Keeffe, commercial director at Europlaz, commented: “Whilst we appreciate the current trading conditions are testing, we prefer to look at where we can take advantage of changes in the global marketplace and, in my opinion, there’s plenty for us to go after.”
“The NHS is prioritizing taking carbon out of its supply chain, so for them it makes sense to move production of products closer to home. This is perfect for Europlaz, as we can offer full regulatory compliance and proven contract manufacturing and tool transfer experience that makes switching suppliers – without disruption – a lot easier.”
He continued: “Progressive new NHS initiatives, such as NICE’s Early Value Assessment (EVA) program, and a renewed national focus on compliance by design is also a big opportunity for the UK.”
“EVA addresses some of the traditional bottlenecks faced by the NHS and, in theory, should provide a structured pathway for technologies that meet national unmet needs to gain conditional NHS recommendations while further evidence is generated.”
China and the Far East have emerged as credible sourcing options for medtech devices after investments in automation and robotics. The resulting production gains highlight a competitive gap that Europlaz technical director Ian Goodacre believes should be addressed closer to home.
“Automation used to be there to deliver complexity and, whilst that is sometimes still the case, we are now seeing it employed globally to deliver high volumes, faster and more cost effectively. It’s a lesson the UK should heed.”
“Other trends we are noticing is how industry bridges the gap between 3D printing in design and 3D printing at scale and a change in funding landscape, with bigger investments being made in pharma and weight loss drugs. This can sometimes impact the emergence of new medical devices.”
“There is also an increasing interest in using biopolymers to support the production of sustainable single-use devices – we are already running trials on a couple of projects in this arena.”
People Power
Rising recruitment costs are pushing Europlaz to prioritize retention through workforce development. The company is investing in upskilling employees to strengthen internal mobility across its team. The strategy reflects shifts in medtech, where automation, digitalization, and evolving employee expectations are changing how organizations operate.
Rory O’Keeffe concluded: “Developing the next generation of talent is another big priority. We’ve put aside funding for up to five industrial placements and a similar number of apprenticeships.”
“Europlaz is a perfect home for young people looking to gain technical and skilled roles, which are fundamental to the backbone of British manufacturing and a key government aspiration.”
“For us, apprenticeships are a fantastic way to grow people in the culture of our business, and we believe it gives us the best possible way of scaling up to cope with demand. More firms should consider it as we need to flood the domestic market with new talent.”
After completing its latest FDA inspection, Europlaz continues to support US-bound medical device manufacturing, packaging, and labeling. The company reports AI-driven sales inquiries rising 40% month over month.
Source: Europlaz
About Europlaz
Europlaz Technologies Ltd., founded in 2000 and headquartered in Southminster, Essex, is a UK-based contract manufacturer specializing in ISO 13485-certified medical device production. The company serves the diagnostic, drug delivery, life sciences, and biomedical sectors, providing services such as rapid prototyping, injection molding, cleanroom assembly, validation, sterile packaging, and third-party logistics. Operating from its Southminster facility with over 110 people, Europlaz completed a £3.5M investment program to expand cleanroom capacity, support a 20% sales increase, and secure new contracts with medical device clients in the UK and internationally. Its production capabilities cover Class I to Class III devices.