News, Blog, and Events | T.O. Plastics Staff

Pharmaceuticals

Why Custom Plastic Trays Are Essential in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Pharmaceutical manufacturers face relentless pressure to protect their products, adhere to safety compliance, and, of course, keep costs...

Horticulture

2026 Horticulture Trade Show Schedule: Key Events and Dates

We're gearing up for a full year traveling to major horticulture industry and distributor trade shows throughout North America. These...

Horticulture

2025 Horticulture Trade Show Calendar

Our team is excited to be participating in several horticulture industry and distributor trade shows this year. These events give us an...

Horticulture

2024 Horticulture Trade Show Calendar

Our team is thrilled to participate in various horticulture industry and distributor trade shows this year! These events present a...

Medical devices

Medical Packaging in Production: Watch a Blister Tray Get Thermoformed

Blister packaging is a common packaging format used for all sorts of products; most recognizable perhaps are small toys in retail or gum...

Horticulture

2022 Horticulture Trade Show Calendar

We look forward to industry events in the same way we anxiously awaited show-and-tell in elementary school, for the very same reasons....

Medical devices

How to Get the 'Goldilocks' Medical Device Package

The classic fairytales of our childhood carry important life lessons; today we're pulling Goldilocks and the Three Bears from the archives...

Material Selection Considerations for Medical Device Packaging

Medical devices

Sterile Barrier & Protective Packaging Material Considerations

A capable medical packaging solution is created by integrating a sterile barrier system with protective packaging. This is achieved through...

Minnesota Medical Marvel: The Mayo Clinic

Medical devices

Leading Medical Innovation at Mayo Clinic, Patient Care Extraordinaire

This is blog #4 in our Land of 10,000 Makes content series, which celebrates Minnesota made products and services. Sign up to follow along.

Horticulture

2021 Horticulture Trade Show Calendar

Even though 2021 is more than half way over at this point (still not quite sure how that happened...), our trade show season is just...

Horticulture

Ready and Excited to Cultivate, Together

The premier green industry event of the year is upon us: Cultivate'21. It is always exciting to be in a room filled with so much passion...

Horticulture

California Summer Trials 2021, Minnesota Style

In true 2020/2021 style, we are participating in the California Summer Trials at a more-than-safe distance...2000+ miles (in Minnesota). In...

Medical devices

Minnesota's Medical Alley: Where Ideas & Innovation Grow

Minnesota is a great place to do business - and perhaps slightly favorable for businesses in the medical and healthcare industry. We get to...

450 Square Pots with Tag Slots and Companion 10-Count Carry Tray

Horticulture

New Product: 450 Square Pot with Tag Slots & Tray

Expanding the trusted square pot product line to add convenient and durable branding opportunities comes the 450 square pot with tag slots (

Medical devices

The 6 Most Common Packaging Platforms for Medical Devices

The options you have when packaging a medical device often feel innumerable. With the flood of innovation we’ve experienced in the 21st...

Medical devices

Medical Packaging: Balancing the Needs of the Product & User

The design of a medical package requires balance. As a device developer/engineer, it's easy to get tunnel vision for the product itself,...

Avon Plastics: Minnesota Plastics' Manufacturer

Medical devices

MN Made: Avon Plastics

This is blog #3 in our Land of 10,000 Makes content series, which celebrates Minnesota made products and services. Sign up to follow along.

Horticulture

HORT LIFE CHRONICLES: Bailey

NATURE, NURTURED. AND VICE VERSA. With a rich history and intense focus on the future, Bailey is a perfect kick-off story for Hort Life. As...

Medical devices

5 Key Design Considerations for Medical Device Packaging

With your medical device development underway, it's important to keep packaging design in mind as you hit key milestones and stage gates....

Medical devices

Preparing for Medical Product Package Design and Development

One of the biggest (and most common) mistakes that medical product innovators make is waiting until the eleventh hour to consider their...

Medical devices

Healthcare Packaging: Why You Can't Overlook Your End User

It’s time to stop thinking of healthcare packaging (or any other packaging, really) as a necessary commodity, and start thinking of it as a...

Medical devices

MN Made: Lite Run Inc.

This is blog #2 in our Land of 10,000 Makes content series, which celebrates Minnesota made products and services. Sign up to follow along.

Medical devices

Minnesota Medical Packaging Facility Tour: See Thermoforming in Action

It was a goal of ours to welcome more people in to our facility to showcase some of the enhancements we’ve made the past few years. But,...

Medical devices

Speaker Sneak Peek: The Inside Scoop on Medical Packaging Material

With just a few days to go before Med Packed (our free virtual mini-conference), I'm excited to give you another sneak peek at a session...

Medical devices

Small Business Saturday Prep: Our Team's Favorite Local MN Businesses

As part of our celebration of the Land of 10,000 Makes - and with SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY right around the corner - we thought it would be...

Medical devices

Sneak Peek: Laura Bix & A User-Centered Approach to Packaging Design

Our free, virtual, mini conference, Med PackED, is only a few short weeks away. We're excited and honored to have a number of industry...

Medical devices

Behind the Design: PPE Face Shield from InnovaTools

An unprecedented global pandemic ignites matters of life and death for thousands of individuals and the healthcare employees who navigate...

Horticulture

T.O. Plastics Announces New Horticulture Leader

T.O. Plastics is pleased to announced the appointment of Jared Rusch to Director of Sales & Marketing – Horticulture markets. Previously,...

Medical devices

The Medical Device Design Process Should Include a Packaging Supplier

Oftentimes, medical device companies—especially startups—don’t want to engage with a packaging design company early on because the device...

Medical devices

More than Just a Name on Your ASL—A True Medical Packaging Partner

When it comes to choosing a medical packaging company, some companies never look further than who’s listed on their Approved Supplier List...

Medical devices

CardioNXT Plastic Catheter Tray & Lid for Cardiac Arrhythmia Treatment

Medical startup companies work tirelessly to bring innovative and potentially revolutionary medical devices to market; it is our privilege...

Medical devices

Minnesota Business Ecosystem: Built for Success

In the good old days, you could head to 'town' and get everything you needed: milk, gas, tools, clothes, car repairs, and more. Neighbors...

Medical devices

MN Made: BluDot

As you drive home, how many of your neighbors do you know by name? Do you know what they do for work? How many kids they have? How they...

Medical devices

Medical Device Packaging: 3 Mistakes to Avoid

Medical device packaging is an essential component for medical device companies. Not only do devices need to be packaged safely and...

Medical devices

When It’s Worth the Risk to Switch Packaging Suppliers

There’s no doubt about it, switching from one packaging supplier to another takes work. For medical product manufacturers, it's an...

Land of 10,000 Makes, brought to you by T.O. Plastics

Medical devices

A Tribute to Minnesota Makers and the State We Call Home

Today we'd like to send a big 'thanks' and special shout out to all the Minnesota makers - HAPPY LABOR DAY! To all producers, creators,...

Horticulture

New 2020 Horticultural Containers Catalog Just Released

New Look. New Products. New Information. We're excited to announce the launch of our new Horticulture Containers Catalog. Read on to find...

Medical devices

Face Shield Design and Production in Response to COVID-19

In times of great need comes great opportunity. As we searched for ways to keep our employees safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic...

Square Pot Packaging Improvement Announcement

Horticulture

Square Pot Packaging Improvement | Product Development Announcement

We are excited to share that we have implemented an improved packaging solution for our line of square plant pots. Over the next few weeks...

Horticulture

2020 Events Schedule

It is a top priority of ours to meet our customers where they are and actively support and participate in the industry they are growing and...

Horticulture

California Summer Trials (CAST)

Spring has sprung! Or at least it feels that way for us - for two reasons: With headquarters in Minnesota, we celebrate any temperatures...

Medical devices

Custom Packaging on Display at MD&M West 2020

We're kicking off our 2020 medical trade show season at MD&M West, in Anaheim CA. This show is always a great way to start the year,...

Medical devices

State-of-the-Art Kiefel KMD 90 Former

State-of-the-Art Kiefel KMD 90 Former Our most recent addition to equipment includes the KMD 90 Speedformer. This thermoformer from Kiefel...

Medical devices

How Medical Grade Plastics are Safe and Reliable for Medical Packaging

What is Medical Grade Plastics? Certified medical grade plastic material ideal for medical equipment, supplies, and devices used in the...

Horticulture

At T.O. Plastics our world is not round, it’s square!

The Square Pot Advantage Growing in square pots can save you space, time and money! When using square pots compared to round, you save...

Horticulture

Our Internship Program | Engineering, Quality, & Marketing

We believe there is no better way to learn than to get hands on experience. This year we expanded our internship program to the largest...

Medical devices

4 ways to save money by using plastic instead of metal

Metal has been a top choice in many industries for decades due to its time-tested performance, but plastic is being considered as an...

Horticulture

Environmentally Friendly Doesn't Have to Mean Plastic Free

We live in an environmentally friendly world that stresses a sustainable lifestyle and we do our best to embody that sustainable spirit....

Medical devices

The Minnesota Medical Market

We know the Minnesota medical market can be overwhelming, but we want to help you! Minnesota is known as “Medical Alley” because it is home...

Horticulture

New Product: Mega Heavyweight Flats

CLEARWATER, MN - We're adding a new flat to our product suite, and an extra to our current extra extra heavyweight flat to give growers a...

Medical devices

Your Plastics Partner

Do you have a custom plastic project you want done but are worried about the expenses? We can help you! At T.O. Plastics we place higher...

Workplace Safety Awards for T.O. Plastics, Minnesota Thermoformer

Horticulture

T.O. Plastics Receives Workplace Safety Awards

Safety first is our leading core value. And we work hard every day to promote workplace safety and protect every employee’s well-being....

Medical devices

5 Reasons to Pick Thermoforming over Injection Plastic Molding

Horticulture

T.O. Plastics at Cultivate

Cultivate 2019 is in 5 days! We will be in Columbus, Ohio at the Greater Columbus Convention Center from July 13th-July 16th for this...

Mission, Vision, Values of T.O. Plastics

Horticulture

How our Customer First mentality drives our mission, vision and values

We strive to be unified in our purpose; from day-to-day operations through strategic planning, and every step in between. To create unity,...

Medical devices

T.O. Plastics named one of the Top 10 Packaging Providers

MJBizCon 2019

Marijuana Business Conference December 11-13, 2019, Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas Convention Center

Greenhouse Connect 2019

Greenhouse Connect 2019 October 22 – 25, 2019 Olympic Valley, CA

Wyatt Quarles

Wyatt Quarles October 2 & 3 2019, Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Canadian Greenhouse Conference 2019

Canadian Greenhouse Conference 2019 October 9 & 10, 2019 Scotiabank Convention Centre, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada

Plug & Cutting Conference

Plug & Cutting Conference September 4 - 6, 2019, Embassy Suites,5400 John Q Hammons Dr NWConcord, NC 28027

Griffin PA 2019

Griffin PA Sept 25th-26th 2019, Lancaster County Convention Center, 25 S Queen St, Lancaster, PA 17603

BFG Ohio 2019

BFG Ohio September 25-26, 2019, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, 300 Lakeside Ave, Cleveland OH 44113

Green Day Expo

Green Day Expo Thursday, Sept 5th 10AM-4PM, Hyatt Place Long Island East End, 451 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901

Gard'n-wise

Gard'n-wise Sept 24th-Sept 25th Crowne Plaza, 15500 East 40th AvenueDenver,CO80239

Carlin Wisconsin 2019

Carlin WI September 11th-12th, 2019,Washington County Fair Park, 3000 Pleasant Valley Rd. (Hwy PV) West Bend, WI 53095

BWI Expo 2019

BWI EXPO 2019 Sept 30th- Oct 2nd 2019Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, 900 E Market St, San Antonio, Texas 78205

Griffin MA 2019

Griffin MA August 21st-22nd 2019 DCU Center, 50 Foster St, Worcester, MA

Tessmann 2019

Tessman Minneapolis Tuesday August 20th 8am-5pm

Carlin Minneapolis

Carlin Minneapolis Thursday August 15th 9am-4pm

BFG MPLS 2019

BFG Minneapolis 2019 August 6th-7th 2019

Your Plastics Partner for Custom Thermoforming Solutions

Horticulture

T. O. Plastics Launches New Website

T.O. Plastics New Website Showcases Thermoformed Packaging and Container Excellence in Medical / Life Science, Industrial, Agriculture /...

Horticulture

AmericanHort Cultivate 2019

AmericanHort Cultivate 2019 July 13th-16th 2019

MinnPack 2019

MinnPack October 23–24, 2019Minneapolis Convention Center,Minneapolis, MN

Medical devices

T. O. Plastics at MD&M East

T. O. Plastics at MD&M East The Medical Design & Manufacturing East Event starts TODAY! Come visit us at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center...

T.O. Plastics Featured in Plastics Machinery Magazine

T.O. Plastics is featured in May's issue of Plastics Machinery Magazine A 5-page feature describes T. O. plastics diverse equipment...

AmericanHort Cultivate '18

AmericanHort Cultivate '18July 14th-17th, 2018Booth #1003Greater Columbus Convention Center Columbus, OH

2018 Perennial Plant Association (PPA)

2018 Perennial Plant Association (PPA)July 30th-August 3rd, 2018Booth #205Hilton North Raleigh/MidtownRaleigh, NC

BFG - Minnesota

BFG- MinnesotaJuly 31st -August 1st,2018Earle Brown Heritage Center Brooklyn Center, MN

Tessman 2018

TessmanAugust 7th, 2018Mystic Lake CenterPrior Lake, MN

Carlin BuyerFest 2018 - Minnesota

Carlin BuyerFest 2018- MinnesotaAugust 9th, 2018Earle Brown Heritage Center Brooklyn Center, MN

Hummert Expo

Hummert ExpoAugust 23rd, 2018Booth: TBDSaint Charles Convention CenterSt. Charles, MO

Griffin MA Expo

Griffin MA ExpoAugust 28th-29th, 2018Booth: TBDDCU Convention CenterWorcester, MA

DWF Expo 2018

DWF ExpoAugust 29, 2018Booth: TBDDenver Whole Sale WarehouseDenver, CO

BWI Expo 2018

BWI Expo 2018September 10th-12th, 2018Booth: TBDMusic City CenterNashville, TN

Carlin BuyerFest 2018 - Wisconsin

Carlin BuyerFest 2018- WisconsinBooth: TBDSeptember 12th-13th, 2018Washington County Fair ParkWest Bend, WI

Gard'N Wise - Denver

Gard'N Wise - DenverSeptember 19th-20th, 2018Booth: TBDCrowne Plaza DIA Convention CenterDenver, CO

Griffin PA Expo

Griffin PA ExpoSeptember 26th-27th, 2018Booth: TBDLancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, PA

Canadian Greenhouse Conference 2018

Canadian Greenhouse Conference 2018October 3rd-4th, 2018Booth: 1014Scotiabank Convention CentreNiagara Falls, ON, Canada

Greenhouse Connect 2018

Greenhouse Connect 2018October 23rd-26th, 2018Hyatt Centric Park CityPark City, UT

MD&M Minneapolis

MD&M MinneapolisOctober 31st-November 1st, 2018Booth #912Minneapolis Convention CenterMinneapolis, MN

MJBizCon 2018

MJBizConNovember 14th-16th, 2018Booth: TBDLas Vegas Convention CenterLas Vegas, NV

Great Lakes Expo

Great Lakes ExpoDecember 4th-6th, 2018Booth: TBDDevos Place Conference CenterGrand Rapids, MI

MD&M West 2019

MD&M WestFebruary 5th-7th, 2019Booth #1663Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, CA

custom thermoformer donates square planting pots and carry trays

Horticulture

Custom Thermoformer Donates Pots & Trays to Green Classroom Initiative

As a custom thermoformer, we are proud to manufacture our own line of proprietary plant trays and containers to support the horticulture...

Horticulture

2 Quart 5.5-inch Pots and Trays Introduced

CLEARWATER, MN – We're introducing out 2 quart 5.5’’ square pot and accompanying carry tray, suitable for a wide range of horticulture...

Custom Thermoformed Plastic Design Services for Horticulture Industry

Minnesota-based T.O. Plastics also offers products for the expanding cannabis, hemp and microgreens markets

Minnesota-based Medical Packaging Thermoformer Expands Capacity

Set for February start-up, new pressure former will provide added cleanroom benefits at T.O. Plastics’ Otsego, MN, facility

T.O. Plastics Otsego Facility Earns AIB Compliance Rating

T.O. Plastics, a leading U.S. manufacturer of thermoformed packaging and parts in the food, medical, industrial, recreational, consumer...

MN-based Medical Packaging Company to Exhibit at MD&M West

Custom thermoformer T.O. Plastics will highlight its cleanroom & high-speed manufacturing capabilities at Feb. 6-8 show

T.O. Plastics Assists Students in First Lego League Competition

Custom thermoformer provides advice in team’s quest to design a reusable pizza box

T.O. Plastics Advised First Lego League Team

On February 5th, 2016 seven homeschooled students ages 9 to 14 and an adult coach toured our plant in Otsego, Minnesota, to learn how...

Shining a Light on Our Life Sciences Thermoforming Expertise

Our proprietary line of horticultural products gets a lot of attention - SureRoots® and our Open Bottom trays are well-known names across...

Introducing Our 2 Quart, 5.5’’ Square Pots and Carry Trays

T.O. Plastics is pleased to unveil the newest addition to our extensive line of square plant pots and carry trays: 2 quart, 5.5’’...

Minnesota Manufacturer: Plastic Packaging and Parts

Horticulture

Who is T.O. Plastics? | MN Manufacturing Week 2017

CLEARWATER, MN – Minnesota-based custom thermoformer T.O. Plastics Inc. is participating in the Star News’ observance of Minnesota...

Five Core Values, a Mission and Our Vision Make Our Company

We have a rich history of partnering with our customers to bring the best possible solutions to market while exceeding their every...

Proprietary & Custom Thermoformed Products, 100% American Made

100% American Made We’re proud of a lot of things here at T.O. Plastics: our commitment to quality, our exceptional customer service, our...

Team Donates Planting Pots & Trays for Green Classroom Initiative

This spring we partnered up with the Collins Brothers, Russell and Garette, and donated 1,800 square pots and 90 matching carry trays to...

T.O. Plastics Gets Results at Cultivate '16 Trade Show

Cultivate '16 featured more than 600 exhibitors and attracted 10,000 attendees from all 50 states and 24 countries. "The Cultivate show is...

T.O. Plastics Launches Sureroots Elite® Products

Company touts innovative plug trays that improve plant growth

T.O. Plastics Expands Its 3D Printing Capabilities

Custom thermoformer’s investment supports 2015 growth goals

Horticulture

T.O. Plastics Expands HIPS, ABS Plastic Extrusion Capacity

We've added new extrusion equipment in our Clearwater, Minnesota plant that enables increased capacity for ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene...

Horticulture

Two New Plant Pie Trays Added to the 'Bakery' Product Line

We partnered with the inventor of Plant Pie™ to launch two new, innovative plant trays that leverage the success of the original Plant Pie...

T.O. Plastics Receives Sureroots® Trademark Registration

T.O. Plastics is pleased to announce that it has been granted registration of its trademark SUREROOTS® by the United States Patent and...

Blog & Resources

T.O. Plastics Staff

Why Custom Plastic Trays Are Essential in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

2026 Horticulture Trade Show Schedule: Key Events and Dates

2025 Horticulture Trade Show Calendar

2024 Horticulture Trade Show Calendar

Medical Packaging in Production: Watch a Blister Tray Get Thermoformed

2022 Horticulture Trade Show Calendar

How to Get the 'Goldilocks' Medical Device Package

Sterile Barrier & Protective Packaging Material Considerations

Leading Medical Innovation at Mayo Clinic, Patient Care Extraordinaire

2021 Horticulture Trade Show Calendar

Ready and Excited to Cultivate, Together

California Summer Trials 2021, Minnesota Style

Minnesota's Medical Alley: Where Ideas & Innovation Grow

New Product: 450 Square Pot with Tag Slots & Tray

The 6 Most Common Packaging Platforms for Medical Devices

Medical Packaging: Balancing the Needs of the Product & User

MN Made: Avon Plastics

HORT LIFE CHRONICLES: Bailey

5 Key Design Considerations for Medical Device Packaging

Preparing for Medical Product Package Design and Development

Healthcare Packaging: Why You Can't Overlook Your End User

MN Made: Lite Run Inc.

Minnesota Medical Packaging Facility Tour: See Thermoforming in Action

Speaker Sneak Peek: The Inside Scoop on Medical Packaging Material

Small Business Saturday Prep: Our Team's Favorite Local MN Businesses

Sneak Peek: Laura Bix & A User-Centered Approach to Packaging Design

Behind the Design: PPE Face Shield from InnovaTools

T.O. Plastics Announces New Horticulture Leader

The Medical Device Design Process Should Include a Packaging Supplier

More than Just a Name on Your ASL—A True Medical Packaging Partner

CardioNXT Plastic Catheter Tray & Lid for Cardiac Arrhythmia Treatment

Minnesota Business Ecosystem: Built for Success

MN Made: BluDot

Medical Device Packaging: 3 Mistakes to Avoid

When It’s Worth the Risk to Switch Packaging Suppliers

A Tribute to Minnesota Makers and the State We Call Home

New 2020 Horticultural Containers Catalog Just Released

Face Shield Design and Production in Response to COVID-19

Square Pot Packaging Improvement | Product Development Announcement

2020 Events Schedule

California Summer Trials (CAST)

Custom Packaging on Display at MD&M West 2020

State-of-the-Art Kiefel KMD 90 Former

How Medical Grade Plastics are Safe and Reliable for Medical Packaging

At T.O. Plastics our world is not round, it’s square!

Our Internship Program | Engineering, Quality, & Marketing

4 ways to save money by using plastic instead of metal

Environmentally Friendly Doesn't Have to Mean Plastic Free

The Minnesota Medical Market

New Product: Mega Heavyweight Flats

Your Plastics Partner

T.O. Plastics Receives Workplace Safety Awards

5 Reasons to Pick Thermoforming over Injection Plastic Molding

T.O. Plastics at Cultivate

How our Customer First mentality drives our mission, vision and values

T.O. Plastics named one of the Top 10 Packaging Providers

MJBizCon 2019

Greenhouse Connect 2019

Wyatt Quarles

Canadian Greenhouse Conference 2019

Plug & Cutting Conference

Griffin PA 2019

BFG Ohio 2019

Green Day Expo

Gard'n-wise

Carlin Wisconsin 2019

BWI Expo 2019

Griffin MA 2019

Tessmann 2019

Carlin Minneapolis

BFG MPLS 2019

T. O. Plastics Launches New Website

AmericanHort Cultivate 2019

MinnPack 2019

T. O. Plastics at MD&M East

T.O. Plastics Featured in Plastics Machinery Magazine

AmericanHort Cultivate '18

2018 Perennial Plant Association (PPA)