INDUSTRY NEWS
SPI Lasers Joins Trumpf Group
German machine tool and laser equipment manufacturer Trumpf GmbH has announced that it has assumed control of SPI Lasers, which is based in Southampton, Hants, UK. The British company makes optical fibre-based laser systems that mark, weld, and cut materials used in the manufacture of products for industrial, medical, and research applications. SPI Lasers has a global distribution network and plans on maintaining and expanding its client base after the merger.
For more information, contact Trumpf GmbH + Co. KG, Postfach 1450, 71252 Ditzingen, Germany; phone +49 7156 3033 0992; e-mail: ingo.schnaitmann@de.trumpf.com; Internet: www.trumpf.com.
Riverside Medical Packaging Expands Cleanroom Facilities
Specializing in medical peel pouches and sachets, Riverside Medical Packaging has announced that it has added three Class 10,000 cleanrooms to its facilities. Filling 2500-m2 of space, the cleanrooms are equipped with new equipment and software that will enable the company to design and produce packaging machinery and tooling for blister packs and pouches in house.
For more information, contact Riverside Medical Packaging Company, Ltd., Derby, Derbyshire DE24 8SW, UK; phone: +44 1332 755622; fax: +44 1332 757 722; e-mail: sales@riversidemedical.co.uk; Internet: www.riversidemedical.co.uk.
Research Organization Continues Growth in Europe
International clinical research organization Averion International has announced that it has expanded its European operations with a new office in the Czech Republic. The organization specializes in research involving oncology, cardiovascular diseases, and medical devices. The new office, located in Prague, will be led by Libor Hubacek, country manager for Averion in the Czech Republic.
For more information, contact Averion Europe GmbH, Siemensstr. 9, 63263
Neu-Isenburg, Germany; phone: +49 6102 599 840; fax: +49 6102 599 8410; e-mail: info@averionintl.com; Internet: www.averionintl.com.
DSM Dyneema Expands Medical Market Involvement
DSM Dyneema has announced plans to increase manufacturing capacity of Dyneema Purity, a proprietary, medical-grade, ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene fibre. Suited for a variety of medical applications, the product will be produced at the company’s manufacturing facilities in Greenville, NC, USA. The company also will produce new grades of the fibre including Dyneema Purity TG dtex 25 TS180, which offers the same specific strength as existing grades at significantly thinner diameters, and Dyneema Purity UG, developed to provide consistent long-term performance. The new production line also will enable the company to rapidly develop custom grades of the material. The line will be operated and validated according to ISO 13485 and will be functional around the middle of 2010.
For more information, contact DSM Dyneema, Mauritslaan 49, Urmond, P.O. Box 1163, 6160 BD Geleen, Netherlands; e-mail: info.dyneema@dsm.com; Internet: www.dsm.com.
Concordia Medical Unveils New Facility
Concordia Medical, which specializes in fibre-based medical implants and scaffolds for regenerative medicine, has recently unveiled a new 25,000-sq-ft manufacturing facility located in Warwick, RI, USA. The facility is certified to ISO 13485:2003 and is compliant with US FDA QSR for quality systems.
According to the company, the new facility will better enable the firm to offer services such as medical device design, development, manufacturing, and clinical launches. The company also recently has introduced a bioresorbable polymer scaffold known as Biofelt suited for medical implant applications.
For more information about its services, contact Concordia Medical, 60 Commerce Dr., Warwick, RI, USA; phone: +1 401 828 1100; fax: +1 401 921 4313, Internet: www.concordiamedical.com.
Komax Systems Announces Partnership with Kinematic Automation
Komax Systems LCF S.A. has announced that it will be the exclusive distributor for Kinematic Automation Inc. in Europe and Asia. With production facilities in the United States, Asia, and Europe, Komax manufactures automatic assembly systems for medical devices. Kinematic specializes in assembly and processing systems for the diagnostic industry and produces systems for strip manufacturing including dispensing, laminating, cutting, and packaging. According to the firms, the partnership will broaden Kinematic’s reach into the European and Asian markets and enable Komax to improve its position in the medical and pharmaceutical markets, according to the firms.
For more information, contact Komax Systems LCF S.A., Rue de l’Helvétie 283, CH-2301 La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland; phone +41 32 925 7222; fax: +41 32 925 7515; Internet: www.komaxgroup.com.
Tronics Microsystems Acquires US Product Development Firm
French microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) manufacturer Tronics Microsystems S.A. has acquired design and development firm MedTech Development LLC. The two firms have a history of working together developing MEMS technology for medical device and other applications. The acquisition will give Tronics better access to the US market. MedTech Development LLC is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, USA and maintains an office in Minneapolis, MN, USA.
For more information, contact Tronics Microsystems S.A., 55 rue du Pré de l’Horme, 38926 Crolles, France; phone: +33 476 972950; fax: +33 476 972951; e-mail: info@tronics.eu; Internet: www.tronics.eu.
