Forj Medical is a vertically integrated contract design and manufacturing organization (CDMO) serving the medical technology industry. Formed through the merger of Intricon and Minnetronix Medical, Forj Medical offers end-to-end capabilities, from concept through commercial scale, in system design, microelectronics, precision molding, and advanced manufacturing. Their previous booth design had reached its lifecycle limit, and with an expanded trade show schedule ahead, Forj Medical wanted a flexible solution that could evolve alongside their marketing goals.
Partnering with Featherlite’s modular solutions team, Forj Medical unveiled a customized Radiant 216 booth at MD&M Midwest 2025, an exhibit designed to deliver a high-end, illuminated presence while staying efficient, scalable, and easy to manage.
Vision for Forj Medical at MD&M Midwest
Forj Medical’s objectives for MD&M Midwest were focused on clarity and capability:
- Showcase micro-device innovation through thoughtful lighting and elevated product displays.
- Create visual contrast and depth that highlighted small-scale products in a large, busy exhibit hall.
- Maintain flexibility and efficiency—a modular structure that could adapt to multiple events with minimal cost and setup time.
With headquarters in St. Paul, MN, and manufacturing operations spanning Asia and Costa Rica, Forj Medical needed a booth that not only showcased its technical expertise but also reinforced its growing brand presence within the U.S. medical device industry.
Featherlite trade show display solution
Modular Design Meets Custom Detailing
Featherlite engineered a customized Radiant 216 exhibit, a modular 10x20 configuration built for adaptability and precision.
Key features included:
- A center backlit panel replacing the standard Medallion frame, creating a clean focal point that accentuated graphics and messaging.
- Custom product risers and felt-lined display stands fabricated to showcase small medical components at eye level, offering tactile engagement and visual warmth.
- Lightweight modular frames that allowed for quick reconfiguration and reduced freight costs.
- Seamless integration with Featherlite’s asset management program, ensuring long-term efficiency for Intricon’s expanding show schedule.
The exhibit was intentionally kept simple, reflecting a core truth about medical device storytelling: when your products are intricate, the environment should be anything but cluttered.
Challenges and Collaboration
Like many medical manufacturers, Forj Medical balanced ambitious design goals with budget realities. The booth had to look premium but remain practical enough for future reuse.
Scheduling also proved tricky. The booth preview coincided with both client travel and internal team availability, requiring coordination with Featherlite's local installation team. Despite the logistical shuffle, the build came together seamlessly, thanks to Featherlite's proactive planning and internal support network.
The team also coordinated a corporate interior project at Forj Medical’s Arden Hills headquarters, aligning the trade show booth’s clean aesthetic with their updated office branding. Phase one of this interior refresh introduced vinyl wall graphics, dimensional standoffs, and branded environmental touches, a cohesive extension of the trade show experience.
Impact of Forj Medical's trade show display
Forj Medical’s debut of their Radiant 216 at MD&M Midwest 2025 marked a strong reintroduction of their brand story on the show floor.
Results included:
- Simplified logistics and cost efficiency through modular construction and integrated asset management.
- Elevated visual presence in a compact footprint, enhanced lighting and riser displays made micro-scale components more accessible to attendees.
- Improved traffic and engagement compared to previous years, particularly around the illuminated central panel and product risers.
- Scalable value: The booth is now configured for future re-use in 10x10 and 10x20 layouts, expanding ROI across multiple shows.
The new design underscored how modular flexibility and thoughtful detailing can elevate complex medical technology stories, without overcomplicating the exhibit itself.
Conclusion
Forj Medical’s partnership with Featherlite exemplifies how precision-driven brands can translate complex innovation into clear, approachable design.
By focusing on illumination, flow, and flexibility, Featherlite helped Forj Medical balance storytelling with efficiency, delivering a booth that was both visually powerful and operationally smart. As Forj Medical continues to expand globally, their modular Radiant system now provides the foundation for a consistent, scalable trade show presence built to grow with their story.
