Wilson-Cook Medical, Inc., Winston-Salem, NC

Medical devices manufacturer builds new cleanroom
with PortaFab wall system

20,000 square foot cleanroom in new manufacturing facility

Long-term flexibility to modify or expand cleanroom

 

 

The Situation
Wilson-Cook Medical manufactures a variety of medical devices, and is one of the leading makers of endoscopic accessories for use in gastrointestinal medical procedures. Obviously, the production of these instruments requires an ultra-clean environment.

So when Wilson-Cook was ready to construct the manufacturing area in a brand new facility, they were faced with two important challenges. First, they needed a high-quality, reliable cleanroom that would maintain critical environmental conditions. And secondly, they wanted the flexibility of a cleanroom that could be modified or expanded to meet changing needs.

The Evaluation
Richard Marshall, Vice President of Operations at Wilson-Cook, expected the company's continues growth to soon require him to expand his new manufacturing area. So he immediately ruled out the use of conventional construction, in favor of a modular cleanroom system.

Marshall contracted a turn-key cleanroom contractor to design and build a modular cleanroom that would give him both quality and flexibility. With these needs in mind, Wilson-Cook's decision to use a PortaFab cleanroom wall system was an easy one, according to Sales Manager Bob Maggard.

"We have a long history with PortaFab," says Maggard, citing the company's nonprogressive design, quality construction and outstanding support as key advantages. "We've been very impressed with PortaFab and their engineering capabilities. And they've always been willing to work with us on special requirements," adds Maggard.

The Solution
A new 20,000 square foot cleanroom was installed at Wilson-Cook using a modular PortaFab wall system. Installation was fast and easy, according to Marshall. "Everything was pre-engineered and pre-fabricated by PortaFab," he said, adding that the wall panels - delivered ready for immediate assembly - integrated perfectly with the cleanroom ceiling and floor, and all mechanical components, according to plan.

After approximately two months of use, Marshall says his new manufacturing area is working out "extremely well." The cleanroom has met all objectives for performance, providing the controlled environment needed for the production of medical devices. And it also has the capability to be easily modified, expanded or relocation to meet future needs.

The flexibility provided by PortaFab's nonprogressive, modular construction is exactly what was needed at Wilson-Cook. "At the rate our business was growing, long-term flexibility was a major concern," says Marshall, who expects continued growth to require expansion of the new cleanroom within its first year.

Marshall is also pleased with the cleanable wall surface and its extra-smooth finish that minimizes particle build up. In addition, PortaFab met his need for low wall air returns that have created the specific air flow pattern he wanted.

Cleanroom Wall Systems That Meet Your Needs
Where critical environmental conditions must be maintained, modular cleanroom wall systems from PortaFab offer you a cost-effective alternative to conventional construction without compromising quality, durability or cleanroom efficiency.

At PortaFab, we understand you needs. So we combined the latest, most effective cleanroom technology with modular design that can be installed, modified, expanded and relocated quickly and easily to meet you changing needs.

Our cleanroom wall systems provide an ultra-clean environment, with effective control of airflow, pressure, temperature, humidity and filtration. And we also give you the flexibility of a variety of core materials, exterior panels and finishes to meet you requirements for acoustic and thermal insulation, chemical resistance and static control.