Joining Technologies was originally founded as a welding company over 20 years ago. However, as time went on, services were added as they became necessary for the customers the company was acquiring. And the most recent, for product commercialization assistance, was no exception.

“We didn’t wake up one day and say it was a good idea,” Salay R. Stannard, technical sales and marketing manager, says. “It came as an evolution.”

The East Granby, CT-based company has been focused on laser applications, systems design and integration, and supply chain management. When it saw opportunity for its customers in product commercialization assistance, and the potential for growth as a company as a whole, it was an easy jump.

“A big part of it is working alongside our customers in what they need to bring that product to the market,” Stannard says. “They take the lead, and then we follow.”

Joining Technologies’ projects have included government entities, large OEMs and tier-one supplier contracts. The company’s location near Bradley International Airport puts them in the middle of a technology hub, where there are plenty of startups setting up shop nearby. However, Stannard says that the company is also looking along the West Coast for opportunities, like in Seattle.

Stannard says that the Joining Technologies has seen a variety of medical devices come in over the past month, and the company understands the push for quality products. However, in the past four years, she has seen a lot of shifting in the medical device industry in terms of requirements, and Joining Technologies has had to grow in response to the changes.

As FDA changes regulations, the company changed the way it approaches customers and other companies.
“I think the trend recently has been, as the face of qualifications has changed, it has become more rigid,” she says. “There are a lot more requirements [and] we have to translate it down the supply chain.”

Part of the strategy to keep up with shifts is to acquire the best team with a variety of skill sets. The engineers on staff with the company have a variety of different expertise areas, which has helped expand the growth of the company at large.

Combined with project managers and QA specialists, the company has been preparing for the changes just as much as its customers have been. And the company is looking to expand its skill set further, hiring for a variety of different positions, with every department growing.

“Every time you talk to us, we have a new innovation,” Stannard says.

As the industry will change, Joining Technologies plans to change with it to help fulfill the demands of its customers. Stannard said the demand has increased for ablation and cutting with the company’s welding operations, and there is the potential to implement sterilization and packaging into Joining Technologies’ operations.

“The sky is the limit for this company,” she says. “So who knows?” 

Reina V. Slutske is the assistant editor for MD+DI