Dordan Manufacturing History | Family-Owned Custom Thermoformer Since 1962


Dordan Manufacturing is a fourth-generation, family-owned custom thermoforming company with over 63 years of experience in the design and manufacture of thermoformed packaging. 

Dordan circa 1974 in Chicago

Above: Dordan Manufacturing, 1974; current CEO & President, Daniel Slavin, pictured in white tee-shirt

Dordan has evolved from a small Chicago-based packaging supplier into a nationally recognized manufacturer of high quality medical packaging, clamshells, blisters, and dunnage trays

Today, Dordan is an ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016 certified thermoform packaging supplier, equipped with in house design, tooling, thermoforming, and cleanroom manufacturing of medical packaging. We provide packaging to a wide range of industries, including the medicalautomotive, electronicconsumer, and industrial markets.

DOWNLOAD COMPANY PROFILE

Our Roots: Dordan’s Founding in Chicago, Illinois (1962)


Dordan was founded in 1962 by Vivian and Edwin Slavin in Chicago, IL. The company began as a contract packager, specializing in skin packaging and small-batch vacuum forming. 

Dordan Manufacturing founders and spouses

Above: Dordan founder's, Vivian and Edwin Slavin, on their wedding day

Second Generation Leadership & Technological Advancement (1974)


In 1974, Edwin’s son, Daniel Slavin, took over as President. Under Daniel’s leadership, Dordan began transitioning into high-volume plastic thermoforming, embracing new technologies including CAM/CNC tooling, microprocessor-controlled thermoformers, and an early focus on engineering-driven design.

Expansion to Woodstock, IL (1994)


Dordan relocated from Chicago to a 50,000 sq. ft. facility in Woodstock, Illinois in 1994. This expansion enabled investment in thermoforming and tooling equipment and technology, along with engineering capabilities. 

  • 63-year old custom thermoforming company
  •  
  • Above: Dordan's standard thermoforming machines convert plastic sheet to clamshell, blister, and tray packaging

  •  

ISO 9001:2015 Certification (2013)


In 2013, Dordan achieved ISO 9001:2008 certification, which was updated to ISO 9001:2015 in 2017. This milestone validated Dordan’s dedication to quality management across the design, manufacture, and distribution of custom thermoformed packaging.

Cleanroom Construction for Medical Packaging (2019)


Dordan completed the construction of its ISO Class 8 cleanroom in 2019. The cleanroom is a controlled environment where particulate and bioburden agents are minimized to allow for the production of packaging intended for sterile medical devices. DOWNLOAD DORDAN MEDICAL PROFILE

Cleanroom-produced packaging types include:

cleanroom thermoforming medical packaging

Above: Dordan's cleanroom manufacturing medical packaging

ISO 13485:2016 Certification (2024)


In 2024, Dordan achieved ISO 13485:2016 certification for the design, manufacture, and distribution of thermoformed medical packaging.

 

This certification confirms Dordan’s commitment to regulatory compliance and quality control for medical packaging applications. Dordan's quality management system is the foundation of its design, tooling, manufacturing, and cleanroom thermoforming processes and procedures. By supporting controlled systems, Dordan supplies consistently precise thermoformed packaging. 

medical packaging quality control

Above: Quality control technicians inspect medical device tray in Dordan's cleanroom 

Fourth Generation Joins the Business (2024-Present)


Continuing the legacy, Julian Slavin—son of General Manager Aric Slavin and grandson of President & CEO Daniel Slavin—joined the company in 2024, marking the fourth generation of family leadership. 

In 2025, Aydan, Julian's brother, joined Dordan, and in 2026, their other brother, Spencer, joined. There are currently 6 family members spanning the 2nd to the 4th generation that work at Dordan. 

About Dordan Today


Dordan uses risk-based engineering and design for manufacturing principles to develop high performing thermoformed packaging.

surgical procedural kit

Above: Procedural medical kit packaging for non-sterile products and components

As a fully integrated thermoform packaging supplier with in house design, tooling, thermoforming, and cleanroom manufacturing, Dordan offers the on time delivery of defect free products.

DOWNLOAD THERMOFORM PRICING STRUCTURE

Dordan specializes in the production of:

Thermoformed Medical Packaging: Clamshells, blisters, inserts, and dunnage trays protect, transport, and display products

Request A Quote