Dura Magnetics’ technical expertise helps MAGNETNotes founder develop magnetic closure process
When Randy Boudouris wanted to take his printing press experience in a whole new direction, the magnet experts at Dura Magnetics were indispensable.
“I can’t say enough good things about their knowledge and willingness to be innovative,” said Boudouris, CEO of MAGNETNotes and MagneClose; and he knows innovative. Boudouris has developed a revolutionary process that can essentially print magnets onto paper and packaging. But this development would not be possible without Dura, he said.
“We’re basically trying to squeeze the most amount of magnetism out of everything we make with magnetic techniques and materials. They’ve been great that way.”
A Partner Who Cares
Boudouris began his business more than 20 years ago, with the goal of developing a more modern methodology to magnet fabrication. Before that, he was in the printing industry. Influenced by the rollers of print press technology, Boudouris developed a new method of creating magnets that was faster and more efficient than the old calendared steel technique. He licensed this technique to a paper company – and that’s when he met Neil Hartbarger, Sales Manager, and the rest of the team at Dura Magnetics.
“It’s a very collaborative effort,” Boudouris said. “They don’t just say, ‘Tell us what you want to do, and we’ll design it and make it and be done with it.’” They dig to the root of the issue at hand to find the best possible solution, including ones their customer may not have considered.
“They weigh in and say, ‘OK, what are you doing? What are you trying to achieve?’ They go back and do their homework, and then come back and say, ‘We can do this, this, and this. How does that work for you?’”
“They genuinely have an interest in my success, which is a rarity these days,” Boudouris said.
A leading food and beverage company soon took an interest in Boudouris’ magnetic technology. With Dura’s help, Boudouris was able to manufacture a magnetic closure for packs of gum, paving the way for more magnetically closing packaging.
“We’re trying to close packages with magnets and finding cost-effective and efficient ways to do it,” Boudouris said. And infinitely re-closable packaging, such as what’s possible with ultra-thin, ultra-strong, yet ultimately recyclable magnets, could be a game-changer in terms of sustainability.
But these techniques require technological finesse. “In the packaging world, there are several things that you have to deal with [in terms of] recyclability,” Boudouris explains. The magnets have to be extremely thin and flexible, but without setting off metal detectors. They must be able to regrind easily for the recycling process yet be wrapped in FDA-compliant coatings. And through it all, they must be able to be manufactured quickly and at a reasonable price.
Leaning on Dura’s expertise, Boudouris created a formula that exceeded these constraints. “They’ve waded in with me and got into my process, and they’ve tried to understand it. Then they go back [to the lab] and figure out: ‘How do we maximize what Randy’s doing?’ It’s that willingness to go the extra mile for their customers that is such a refreshing and valuable trait in the modern business landscape.”
“They’re high IQ. High EQ. Just good people. Very knowledgeable, and they’re problem solvers,” mused Boudouris.
“I feel like they’ve become friends as well as suppliers,” he said. “That means a lot to me. I feel really blessed. There’s nobody else in the United States that can do what they do.”