Europlaz, an Essex-based contract manufacturer for medical devices, has reported strong revenue growth and outlined plans to capitalise on emerging sector opportunities in 2026.
The firm, which employs 120 staff, recorded a 20 per cent rise in revenues in 2025, bringing total domestic and international sales to £15.5 million. The company attributes this growth to rising NHS demand for sustainable supply chains, as well as opportunities arising from new market entrants and global trade dynamics.
Rory O’Keeffe, commercial director at Europlaz, said:
“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 prioritising 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.
“Progressive new NHS initiatives, such as NICE’s Early Value Assessment (EVA) programme, 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 should provide a structured pathway for technologies that meet national unmet needs to gain conditional NHS recommendations while further evidence is generated.”
The company has also benefited from US tariffs, which have diverted work away from international competitors, and from an increasing number of new medtech entrants who develop products and markets before selling the technology to contract manufacturers with existing regulatory approvals.
Technical director Ian Goodacre highlighted the importance of automation in meeting global demand:
“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 include the integration of 3D printing from design through to scaled production, changes in funding for pharmaceuticals and weight loss treatments, and a growing interest in biopolymers to support sustainable single-use devices – we are already running trials in this area.”
Europlaz completed a £4 million investment programme in 2025, upgrading cleanroom facilities and expanding its commercial team to strengthen capacity and capability. The company is also investing in talent development, with plans for up to five industrial placements and a similar number of apprenticeships.
O’Keeffe added:
“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.”
With a combination of strategic investment, skilled staff, and a focus on sustainability and innovation, Europlaz aims to capitalise on evolving trends in the UK and global medtech sector throughout 2026.
