Originally Published EMDM March/April
2002
INDUSTRY NEWS
Injection Moulder Expands in UKA global contract manufacturing company has made moves to acquire a strategic business interest in Detail Plastics Ltd. (Padiham, Lancs,UK). The acquisition will enable both companies to offer a comprehensive development and contract injection moulding and thermoforming service to the medical device industry.
The Tech Group, which is headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ, USA, also has facilities in Dublin, Ireland, and the Far East. The firm specializes in high-volume contract injection moulding and assemblies for the medical device and consumer electronics markets.
The company offers cleanroom manufacturing at its Dublin plant, and this service will be strengthened by the acquisition, according to Paul Flavell, business development manager at The Tech Group. The firm's current medical customers include Johnson & Johnson and New Medical Technology. Flavell notes that The Tech Group is currently developing a leading-edge two-shot moulding system.
Detail Plastics was formed in 1997 and has founded its moulding business based on the principles of flexible design, development, and short-run services for medical customers. According to the company, its subsequent addition of contract thermoforming services enhanced its medical moulding business, as it could offer both capabilities to many customers.
David Moffitt, managing director of Tech Group Ireland, comments, "Detail's flexible development and small-run capability will dovetail with our expertise and extensive manufacturing facilities. We believe that we will be able to offer potential customers comprehensive product development, small runs, and then fully automated manufacturing systems for their medical device requirements." Following the acquisition, The Tech Group plans to offer development engineering, tool sourcing, low- and high-volume cleanroom moulding, assembly expertise, and packaging solutions.
In the coming months, says Flavell, there will be considerable investment in new manufacturing equipment, including additional moulding machines and a new thermoforming machine specifically designed for medical product applications. At the time of writing, a K-class cleanroom at the Padiham facility was due for completion at the end of February.
For more information, contact Tech Group Ireland, Damastown Industrial Park, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15, Ireland, phone: +353 1 8859700; fax: +353 1 8859701; Internet: www.techgroup.com.
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