What Pepin Manufacturing does

Pepin Manufacturing, Inc. (PMI) is a privately held, ISO-13485-certified contract manufacturer headquartered in Lake City, Minnesota with a secondary office in Wabasha, MN. The company's recorded founding date is 1875 (per company history), though its current contract converting specialization dates back over three decades. PMI operates from a 101-250 employee base, serving primary verticals including medical devices and industrial manufacturing, and secondary verticals including aerospace and defense, cosmetics, and retail/consumer products. The company runs four distinct revenue streams: (1) custom contract converting and fabrication services billed per project, (2) MarFree proprietary urethane die-protection films sold through owned e-commerce, (3) FDA 510(k)-cleared Advantrode electrotherapy electrodes sold direct and via OEM/private-label channels, and (4) the Lint Busters consumer retail division.

The core technology platform is a vertically integrated converting and fabrication operation encompassing precision rotary die-cutting, flatbed die-cutting, multi-layer lamination, precision slitting (up to 62-inch web width with tolerances to +/- .005"-.010"), flexographic printing (up to 4-color with UV/water/solvent inks), roll-to-roll electrode fabrication, and contract packaging/assembly. Proprietary technical features include a uniquely applied pure silver layering system on Advantrode Elite electrodes achieving 100% uniform current dispersion, dual-layer 35 mil hydrogel formulations for extended reusability, and MarFree non-marking urethane films for press brake applications. The facility holds ISO-13485, FDA 510(k) (electrodes), CE, RoHS, ANSI, ASTM, and CSA certifications, with full lot traceability supporting regulated medical and aerospace customers including F-35 program component work.

Go-to-market is B2B sales-led with enterprise field sales for custom contract manufacturing projects (quote-based pricing, multi-year contracts), complemented by direct e-commerce for branded MarFree products and a dedicated online storefront for Lint Busters consumer products. The company sells Advantrode electrodes through OEM/private-label partnerships, clinical and hospital procurement channels, and direct B2B sales. Marketing channels include the company website with online quote forms, trade show participation (Global Pet Expo, Hotec Operations, World Health Expo), and social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. The company is privately held with no disclosed investors, funding rounds, or institutional backing, operating entirely on organic, self-funded economics.

Name

Pepin Manufacturing

Legal name

Pepin Manufacturing, Inc.

Website

https://pepinmfg.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1875

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Pepin Manufacturing is an ISO-13485-certified contract manufacturer based in Lake City, Minnesota providing precision die-cutting, lamination, slitting, flexographic printing, and OEM/private-label assembly to medical, industrial, aerospace/defense, cosmetic, and retail customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lake City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Contract Manufacturing & Converting Services: Custom die-cutting, lamination, slitting, printing, and assembly services billed per production run. Revenue generated through per-project pricing based on material, complexity, volume, and tooling requirements. Services include rotary die-cutting, flatbed die-cutting, precision cutting, material rewinding, and contract packaging/assembly.
2. MarFree Urethane Product Sales: Sale of proprietary MarFree urethane die protection films in standard sizes (2", 4", 6", 12" widths) and thicknesses (.015", .022", .030"). Sold directly through e-commerce store and quote-based sales for custom configurations. Volume discounts offered.
3. Advantrode Electrode Product Sales: Sale of FDA 510(k)-cleared Advantrode Elite and Advantrode Essential TENS/EMS electrodes in various shapes and sizes. Revenue from OEM/private-label orders, bulk clinical purchases, and retail-ready pack-outs. Includes accessories (lead wires, TENS-3000 units, skin barrier wipes).
4. Custom Electrode Manufacturing (OEM/Private Label): Turnkey electrode manufacturing services for OEM and private-label clients including design, material sourcing, fabrication, packaging, and branding under client names.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pepin Manufacturing provides contract converting and fabrication services including precision rotary and flatbed die-cutting, multi-layer lamination, precision slitting, flexographic printing, and contract packaging/assembly. In addition to custom converting services, the company sells proprietary branded products: MarFree urethane protective films for press brake die protection and FDA 510(k)-cleared Advantrode electrotherapy electrodes (Elite and Essential tiers) plus related accessories. Operations are run from an ISO-13485-certified facility in Lake City, Minnesota, serving medical, industrial, aerospace, defense, cosmetic, and retail customers.

Product overview

Pepin Manufacturing (PMI) is a contract converting and fabrication company offering a diversified portfolio of precision manufacturing services and branded products. The core offerings include contract converting services (die cutting, slitting, rewinding, laminating, printing, and packaging), with specialized branded product lines including MarFree™ urethane protective films for press brake die protection and AdvanTrode® electrotherapy electrodes (Elite and Essential tiers) plus related accessories. These products and services serve medical, industrial, aerospace, defense, cosmetic, and retail industries from an ISO-13485-certified facility in Lake City, Minnesota.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MarFree: Proprietary urethane product line offering non-marring protective films for press brake applications and surface protection during metal bending and manufacturing processes
• Advantrode
• Lint Busters

Products and services

• MarFree!™ Blue Urethane

Quantifiable outcome

• Tolerances within thousandths of an inch across high-volume production runs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Axelgaard Manufacturing Co. Long-established manufacturer of neurostimulation/TENS/EMS electrotherapy electrodes. Most direct branded competitor to Pepin's Advantrode Elite and Advantrode Essential electrode lines, operating in the same clinical and OEM channels.
• Strouse Corporation: ISO-13485-certified custom converter specializing in medical die-cutting, lamination, and flexible component manufacturing. Closely comparable in size, customer mix, and converting capabilities to Pepin's contract services.
• JBC Technologies: Precision die-cutting and contract converter serving medical, industrial, and aerospace customers with rotary and flatbed capabilities. Comparable in scale and customer verticals to Pepin Manufacturing.
• Marian Inc. Precision die-cut components and converted parts manufacturer serving medical, automotive, electronics, and industrial markets. Competitor in flexographic, rotary die-cutting, and material converting space.
• Lead-Lok Inc. Manufacturer of pre-gelled, self-adhesive biofeedback and TENS/EMS electrodes for clinical and OEM/private-label channels. Direct competitor in the same medical electrode category as Advantrode.

Broad incumbents

• DJO Global (Enovis Chattanooga): Large orthopedic and rehabilitation device manufacturer (Chattanooga brand) producing TENS/EMS stimulators and consumables. Overlaps with Pepin's electrode business through the electrotherapy category and adjacent rehab markets.
• FLEXcon Corporation: Specialty films and coatings manufacturer serving industrial, medical, and graphics end-markets with coated/laminated film products. Comparable in the industrial film and adhesive-coating space Pepin converts for customers.
• 3M Health Care: Diversified healthcare conglomerate with significant presence in medical tapes, adhesives, and electrodes. Competes indirectly via larger scale and in adjacent medical adhesive and stick-to-skin categories where Pepin supplies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Pepin1875
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pepin-manufacturing-inc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/pepinmfg

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pepin Manufacturing