Formpak & Shinetech: A Quiet, Steady Partnership That Changed the Game
Shinetech Software Inc. May 30, 2025
A Search for 18-years Collaboration
In 2007, Formpak was at a turning point. As a specialized software provider in the chemical formulation industry, their desktop application had served them well for years. But with new regulatory pressures emerging and a growing number of international clients, it became clear that the software needed a new life—one that could scale, adapt, and evolve with the business.
At the helm of this challenge was Tim, who had recently taken over the leadership of Formpak from his father. Tim wasn’t just looking for a vendor to deliver a quick rewrite of the system; he was searching for a true partner—one that could understand the weight of his company’s legacy and help carry it forward with care and precision.
That search led him to Shinetech. Rather than relying solely on calls and emails, Tim decided to fly halfway around the world to meet the team in person. In Beijing, he sat down with the developers, shared his vision, walked them through the system, and asked the most important question: “Can we build something together that will last?”
Deep Integration From Day One
From the start, both sides knew this wasn’t going to be a one-off project. Tim’s vision for Formpak wasn’t just about modernizing code—it was about future-proofing the business. That meant designing software architecture that could evolve alongside the ever-changing global regulatory landscape, and building a development rhythm that could sustain progress year after year.
Shinetech responded by assembling a small, focused team led by Bin, a developer who would become a cornerstone of the partnership. Rather than diving straight into coding, Bin and his team spent weeks sitting with Tim, mapping out the business logic, listening closely to user workflows, and translating real-world needs into technical solutions. The goal wasn’t speed. It was alignment.
That deliberate start set the tone for everything that followed. Communication was constant and transparent. Feedback loops were tight. And every development decision was guided by a simple principle: make things easier—for Tim’s team, for their clients, and for the future.
As the software grew in complexity, the team structure evolved too, but the commitment to consistency never wavered. Bin remained at the helm, and many original team members stayed on, developing a deep familiarity with Formpak’s business and culture. What began as a cautious trial had quietly matured into a deeply rooted partnership—one built to last.
Initial team at the year of 2007.
Outcomes Over the 18 Years
Technology and Product Evolution
Across 18 years of collaboration, the team steadily modernized Formpak’s entire platform while keeping the business running smoothly. Key milestones included:
- Migrating from Windows to Linux and containerizing with Docker
- Transitioning the database from DB2 to MSSQL and PostgreSQL
- Upgrading Java from 1.5 to 17 through multiple generations of the stack
- Introducing AI-assisted development to improve efficiency and maintainability
Rather than forcing large, disruptive rewrites, each evolution was phased, tested, and rolled out carefully to support long-term product continuity.
A Stable Team With Deep Domain Understanding
A Stable Team With Deep Domain Understanding
A Stable Team With Deep Domain Understanding
Over time, the development team grew and gradually settled into a core group of seven engineers, each with 3 to 18 years on the project. This continuity created something rare:
technical expertise and business insight growing together.
Today, the team understands Formpak’s workflows, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations deeply enough to:
- assist with client demonstrations, and
- collaborate directly with teams across Europe.
This shared context reduces onboarding time, prevents miscommunication, and preserves product knowledge across product generations.
Communication That Builds Trust
A Stable Team With Deep Domain Understanding
A Stable Team With Deep Domain Understanding
Communication practices evolved into a natural rhythm of clarity and transparency:
- Developers proactively raise issues as soon as they arise, preventing surprises.
- Hubin and the team stay in daily communication with Tim and colleagues across departments.
- Regular online sessions ensure alignment, planning, and shared decision-making.
- Tim has full access to the codebase and testing environment, allowing him to monitor progress anytime.
This openness created a working relationship where both sides move confidently — not by control, but by trust.