Early Medical Equipment
A historic Pemco heart-lung unit illustrating the company’s early role in equipment developed for cardiovascular support and open-heart procedures.
History & Legacy
Pemco’s History of Precision Manufacturing
From Cleveland manufacturing roots to reusable cardiothoracic instruments, Pemco’s story is built on precision, service, and family leadership.
Our Story
A trusted American manufacturer serving surgeons, hospitals, biomedical teams, and distribution partners.
Pemco brings together reusable cardiothoracic instrument expertise and the manufacturing discipline of a long-established precision machine shop.
We design and support products for facilities that value reliable performance, reusable lifecycle economics, surgical-grade stainless steel construction, and direct communication with a manufacturer that understands machining, metal finishing, serviceability, and clinical practicality.
- Focused on reusable cardiothoracic instrumentation
- American-made manufacturing roots in Cleveland, Ohio
- Value-oriented service and refurbishment support
- Built around durable stainless steel product platforms
What We Believe
Premium products should also be practical.
That means precise manufacturing, realistic service pathways, durable reusable construction, and respectful collaboration with the professionals who rely on our products.
Legacy
Multi-generational accountability and deep manufacturing continuity.
Precision
Machining discipline influences every product decision.
From the Archives
Generations of Cleveland manufacturing, advanced for modern cardiothoracic care.
These photographs document Pemco’s early medical equipment, facility growth, family leadership, and contribution to cardiovascular support technology.
Cleveland Facility
An aerial view of Pemco’s Cleveland operation, reflecting the company’s expanding American manufacturing footprint and investment in precision production.
Family Leadership
Four generations of family leadership have carried forward Pemco’s manufacturing knowledge, customer relationships, and commitment to reusable medical products.
Established Presence
A Pemco heart bypass pump in use in the operating room—an enduring example of the company’s contribution to cardiovascular support technology.
Continuing the Tradition
What Pemco has built over the last 30 years.
Pemco’s earliest decades established the company’s place in Cleveland manufacturing and cardiothoracic innovation. The last 30 years have continued that story through reusable surgical instrumentation, customer support, precision manufacturing, service, refurbishment, and practical reinvestment in the shop floor.
Expanding precision manufacturing depth
Pemco continued serving demanding industrial and medical customers with the machining, tooling, fixturing, and production discipline that defined the company from its earliest years.
Strengthening reusable medical product focus
The company remained committed to reusable cardiothoracic instruments, supporting hospitals and surgical teams that value stainless steel durability, availability, and long-term lifecycle value.
Supporting customers with service and continuity
Pemco continued to support product continuity, refurbishment pathways, and direct communication with customers who rely on consistent instrumentation and practical manufacturing expertise.
Investing in quality systems and modernization
Today, Pemco continues to modernize through shop-floor improvements, in-house manufacturing capability, laser engraving and traceability support, ISO 13485 quality alignment, and third-generation leadership.
Why This Matters
Customers rely on Pemco for more than history.
Hospitals, distributors, and medical partners depend on Pemco because the company combines genuine heritage with current capability. That means trusted reusable cardiothoracic products, ongoing support for established product lines, and a manufacturing culture that understands precision, consistency, and accountability.
Founded 1942
Cleveland Manufacturing Roots
Reusable Surgical Instruments
ISO 13485:2016
Leadership
Family Stewardship. Technical Discipline. Long-Term Commitment.
Pemco remains family-led, with a long-term commitment to quality, customer trust, and practical support for reusable cardiothoracic instrumentation.
Founder
William Koteles
Founded Pemco in 1942 after years of apprenticeship, self-education, and night-school study. He guided the company from tooling and government work into surgical research and the development of life-support equipment for open-heart procedures.
Second Generation
William J Koteles
Expanded Pemco’s engineering and tooling capabilities while continuing the company’s role in reusable cardiothoracic instrument manufacturing and direct customer support.
Second Generation
Kathleen Koteles
Now enjoying retirement, Kathleen spent years managing Pemco’s front office. She confidently ran the front office day in and day out, helping to build the accounting foundations the business is built on now. She had daily interactions with customers, vendors, and employees, establishing relationships that still exist in the business today.
Leadership
Matt Koteles
Helps carry forward Pemco’s emphasis on customer responsiveness, quality standards, and American-made reliability.
Leadership
Chris Koteles
Represents the continued evolution of Pemco’s family-guided direction and commitment to reusable cardiothoracic solutions.
Quality System Certification
ISO 13485:2016 Certified Quality Management System
Pemco Medical’s quality management system scope includes design, manufacture and service of non-sterile surgical retraction systems, perfusion cannula, intracardiac suckers and stabilizer arms.