Strength in Experience, Growth Through Trust

Redefining reliability in product testing through innovation and unwavering standards

 

As one of, if not the most, reliable companies in the product testing industry, WESTPAK has consistently evolved in a competitive financial market.

The company’s focus on top-tier innovation and effective internal strategies has fueled both its expansion and sustained profitability.

As a strategy, WESTPAK is a proven leader in prioritizing technological advancements

So, naturally, embracing AI-driven solutions, and integrating advanced data analytics have led to increased operational efficiency and streamlined customer experiences.

These innovations improve productivity by increasing engagement across various customer segments. They also enhance WESTPAK’s profitability by reducing operational costs.

Operationally, WESTPAK has always supported a very customer-centric approach by ensuring that every team member, from front-line staff to senior leadership, is equipped to deliver exceptional service with consistency.

The company’s training programs emphasize customer-first strategies and cross-functional collaboration; they are the subtle advantage that ensures that WESTPAK continues to be seen as a trustworthy industry leader.

WESTPAK has also been expanding its footprint which has helped it enter new growth markets and further solidified its position as a prosperous organization.

The true measure of WESTPAK’s success lies in its ability to maintain and increase profitability while staying ahead of evolving industry trends.

Of course, this has wonderful implications for the company’s future.

As WESTPAK progresses, its true success will not be defined by market share or profitability—it will hinge on a transformative vision that could shape the financial landscape for years to come.

WESTPAK’s journey is just beginning, and the possibilities are limitless.

Precision, Passion, and Purpose

In the high-stakes world of product development, where functionality meets expectation and failure is not an option, few companies carry the level of credibility that WESTPAK commands.

As a premier third-party testing laboratory specializing in product and packaging distribution testing and validation. WESTPAK brings almost 40 years of expertise to the forefront, standing apart through its people-first culture and commitment to excellence.

Founded in 1986 and headquartered in San Jose, California, with more facilities in San Diego and in Union City, WESTPAK has built its reputation through rigorous, accredited testing for clients in the medical, pharmaceutical, food, electronics, aerospace, and automotive sectors.

“We conduct physical testing of products and packaging. We simulate the distribution environment from the end of the manufacturing line to the end-user, the customer. So that means shock and vibration, temperature, humidity, and even  altitude, all so that our customers can be sure that their products will survive,” explains Principal Engineer Greg Schwinghammer.

So, WESTPAK isn’t just a product testing lab—it’s a trusted partner in the lifecycle of countless products. Its rigorous validation and testing services bridge the gap between conceptual design and real-world performance.

WESTPAK’s mission has always centered on working side-by-side with clients to ensure their products are ready for market and for anything the world throws at them.

So, when co-founder Herbert Schueneman sought to transition out of his leadership roles, preserving the company’s original ethos while paying back the people who made it possible was a huge inspiration behind his decision to shift WESTPAK into an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Under the leadership of CEO Nora Crivello, Schueneman’s daughter, the company currently stands as a beacon of dependability.

“We became 100% employee-owned in 2017, so that was kind of the evolution of WESTPAK. We’re now approaching 39 years, and it was built into our DNA to provide great customer service and thought leadership, and employee ownership aligned perfectly with our founding mentality. So, that’s where we find ourselves now, almost four decades later,” Crivello says.

For Crivello, who stepped into the CEO role in 2018 the company’s growth has always been about upholding the principles established by Herb.

“Our customers come to us because they need expert advice, efficient service, and complete trust in the results. We don’t take that responsibility lightly,” Crivello explains.

WESTPAK honors that responsibility with responsiveness and capability, consistently expanding its facilities and investing in state-of-the-art equipment over the years.

“We’re always investing in the company from a CapEx (Capital Expenditure) perspective. I would say about 5 to 10% of our annual revenue per year goes to capital investments, which is substantial,” Crivello says.

Last year, the company proactively replaced the water cooling tower in the San Jose Facility, resulting in an investment of almost three-quarters of a million dollars.

Despite the large expense, it certainly was worth it, as WESTPAK’s cooling towers are essentially the heartbeat of its lab operations.

Additionally, the company acquired a building in California’s North East Bay area, where it recently hosted the grand opening of a third facility. “It’s the biggest expansion we’ve done in the past 20 years, so it’s pretty exciting,” Crivello states.

Competence and Collaboration at the Core of Company Culture

A key feature of all of WESTPAK’s facilities, both new and old, is that they operate with mirrored capabilities to ensure consistency regardless of where testing is performed.

This is intentionally done so that clients can rely on standardized practices, uniform documentation, and consistent results regardless of location.”

This operational symmetry is especially critical for clients navigating FDA regulations or ISO 11607 standards, where even the smallest deviation can compromise an entire validation process.

Beyond its technical expertise, what sets WESTPAK apart is its culture—one that champions accountability, curiosity, and growth.

As an ESOP, WESTPAK strives to create an environment where its employee-owners can grow into their potential, whether that’s in technical roles, leadership, or client services.

A large part of what makes that environment possible is its operational transparency. “We’re an ESOP and an open-book management company. So, everybody knows where we’re at month after month, quarter after quarter,” Schwinghammer clarifies.

Schwinghammer, who started at WESTPAK over 25 years ago, now serves as a guiding technical voice for both clients and internal teams, mentoring engineers and technicians as they expand their capabilities and grow into new roles.

WESTPAK’s focus on people isn’t just internal, as it also applies to its partner companies.

“In the last 2 years, we’ve formed an alliance with companies that are adjacent to us in the supply chain. We’re all similar in size and like-minded companies. We’re all privately owned, and so we’ve found that there’s strength in numbers, especially in an environment. So, we’ve combined together and formed the West Coast Device Alliance,” Crivello explains.

The companies within the alliance are Eagle Medical, Pacific Biolabs, Steritek, Blueline Sterilization, and WESTPAK. Together, these five companies have created an environment that allows front-end users and customers to leverage the alliance’s collective expertise to quickly and properly assess the viability of their products under live market conditions.

The result for WESTPAK has been a level of trust that has skyrocketed its credibility with medical device customers. When customers choose WESTPAK, they know its reports will stand up to scrutiny because it adheres to the highest standards.

A Commitment to Sustainable Success

As regulations evolve and customer expectations shift, WESTPAK is also expanding its focus on environmental impact and sustainability.

“Our customers are looking to have more sustainable packaging, specifically on how to reduce the amount of packaging they have. Until recently, most  haven’t looked at the overarching sustainability and the amount of packaging that’s in there. So, their big question is how to reduce that packaging and still meet their goals and requirements?” Schwinghammer explains.

WESTPAK works closely with clients to support sustainable packaging goals, offering specialized testing that evaluates recyclability, biodegradability, and packaging durability — key factors in reducing environmental footprints.

Additionally, WESTPAK’s consultative model enables it to assist clients in making packaging decisions that are not only environmentally conscious but also regulatory-compliant.

Looking ahead, WESTPAK is doubling down on its core values. Plans for continued growth include expanding service capabilities, deepening technical training, and exploring new ways to streamline the client experience through improved automation and data reporting.

The company is also exploring new markets and advanced testing methodologies.

But even as the company evolves, its foundation remains the same: a relentless pursuit of quality, a deep respect for people, and a belief that science, when practiced with integrity, is a powerful force for progress.

WESTPAK’s blend of technical mastery and human-centered service offers a rare kind of reassurance.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about passing a test—it’s about proving that what you’ve built is ready for the world. And with WESTPAK at your side, that’s a test you can pass with confidence.

For Crivello and Schwinghammer, the future of WESTPAK is not only about maintaining high standards—it’s about pushing them even higher. “We’re constantly asking ourselves, ‘What can we do better? What more can we offer our clients? How can we support our team’s growth?’” Crivello says. “It’s that mindset that keeps us moving forward.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: WESTPAK, Inc.

What: A premier, employee-owned third-party testing laboratory specializing in packaging and distribution testing.

Where: Headquartered in San Jose, California, with additional facilities in San Diego and the North East Bay area.

Website: www.westpak.com