The Business of Healthcare: Making the move into medtech

MANUFACTURERS are still finding it difficult to break into the medical technologies sector but have been advised that it is well worth persevering.

Industry bodies such as Manufacturing Advisory Services (MAS) and medtech sector association Medilink have worked with manufacturing firms to help them establish a foothold in the burgeoning medtech area.

But the experience of many firms is that it is difficult to break into what is an already very competitive area.

However, breakthroughs are starting to happen.

Matt Powell of Birmingham-based Barkley Plastics – a manufacturing firm increasingly working with the medtech sector – said it was hard getting into the sector but once it had got a foot in the door the work had snowballed.

“At the time we looked at medtech the stability of the automotive was a bit suspect,” he said. “We thought medtech allowed for a lot of innovation and we are an innovative company.”

Another local success story is fellow Birmingham firm Anopol.

The metal finishing specialist has created an innovative jig for the medical sector which allows delicate stents (such as the one pictured) to be electropolished in one single operation, improving productivity time whilst reducing rejection rates.

As a result of the innovative piece of machinery, Anopol looks set to win new business within the US, and sees potential for similar work within the UK and Ireland.

Managing director John Swain said: “This medical device and its improved efficiency rates have been successfully employed in a production environment for a short while. We are now looking to showcase its abilities and further enhance its productive specialist skills within the medical sector.”

This story is part of a 20 page supplement on the Midlands healthcare sector, produced in association with DLA Piper and Catalyst Corporate Finance. To read more click here