Industry news: In Brief

Medical Engineering Technologies and Chemence Team Up

Medical Engineering Technologies Ltd. (Ashford, Kent, UK), a supplier of dispensing and curing equipment, has recently formed a partnership with Chemence Ltd. (Corby, Northants, UK), an ISO 9001–certified manufacturer of adhesives with production facilities in both the UK and the United States. Medical Engineering Technologies will market the manufacturer's adhesives—cyanoacrylate, anaerobic, epoxy, and UV-cured versions—to medical equipment manufacturers.

Medical Technologies can supply dispensing and curing equipment, such as hand-operated machinery and robotic systems with up to three axes, to accompany the adhesives. Other products available from the supplier include automation systems, packaging equipment, catheter manufacturing machines, leak-testing equipment, and die-cutting and web-handling equipment.

For more information, contact Medical Engineering Technologies Ltd., Marketing Dept., Transport House, Apsley St., Ashford, Kent TN23 1LF, UK; phone: +44 1233 663839; fax: +44 1233 663853.

Supplier of Blood Pressure Components Expands Manufacturing Capability

SunTech Medical Instruments Inc., a global producer of blood pressure monitoring equipment, is expanding its manufacturing unit to meet the demands of the OEM market for blood pressure products. The firm uses its R&D background and software engineering and manufacturing capabilities to produce small, portable monitors that offer the OEM greater flexibility when adding new parameters. Modules and custom solutions are also available.

For more information, contact SunTech Medical Instruments Europe Ltd., Oakfield Ind. Est., Stanton Harcourt Rd., Eynsham, Oxon OX8 1TS, UK; phone: +44 1865 884235; fax: +44 1865 884234.

Sortimat Takes on New Identity

Sortimat Automations GmbH & Co. (Winnenden, Germany), a manufacturer of automation and assembly equipment, has changed its name to sortimat Technology GmbH & Co. Production Systems. According to the company, its new name and slogan (better.innovative.faster) are symbols of the globalization and restructuring that the company kicked off in 1995 with its certification to ISO 9001. At that time, analyses of business and production processes were performed by an in-house team supported by an external management consulting company. Their work led to the replacement of function-based departments by interdisciplinary teams.

For more information, contact sortimat Technology GmbH & Co. Production Systems, Birkenstr. 1-7, D-71364 Winnenden, Germany; phone: +49 7195 7020; fax: +49 7195 70222.

Injection Moulding Firm Open for Business

Detail Plastics Ltd. (Lancaster, Lancs, UK), a supplier of plastic components to medical device manufacturers, commenced business in January. Founded by 26-year-old process engineer and entrepreneur Joe Govier, the company offers a concept-to-customer package that includes prototype designs, cleanroom manufacturing, and rapid product delivery to the customer. A sampling service for the testing of mould integrity and quality is provided free of charge.

For more information, contact Detail Plastics Ltd., 32 Lake Enterprise Park, Lancaster, Lancs LA1 3NX, UK; phone: +44 1524 380011; fax: +44 1524 380012.

Managing Director of Gammaster Ireland to Chair MEDISA Group

James O'Doherty, managing director of Gammaster Ireland Ltd. (Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland), has taken over as chairman of the Medical Industry Supplier Alliance (MEDISA), a group of eight companies providing subcontract services to medical device manufacturers and OEMs. The group's capabilities include ontract manufacturing and assembly, medical-grade printing and packaging, sterilization, and microbiological laboratory services.

For more information, contact MEDISA, The Fairgreen, Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland; phone: +353 98 26902; fax: +353 98 26903.

Intertek Testing and Rostest Sign Agreement

Intertek Testing Services (ITS), a worldwide testing, inspection, and certification organization, has signed an agreement with Rostest, Russia's largest certification body for products and quality systems, so as to provide customers easier access to the Russian market. "Our relationship with Rostest," says Eric Birch, president of ITS, "empowers our customers to follow the required steps to enter the Russian market, and provides them with a powerful testing and certification enterprise."

According to the agreement, ITS will liaise with Rostest on behalf of its customers; in turn, the Russian agency will provide ITS customers with the GOST-R mark that products must carry to access the Russian marketplace. ITS will carry out testing, submit forms, and supply translations, as well as provide guidance for the Russian certification system.

For more information, contact ITS-SEMKO, Torshamnsgatan 43, Box 1103, S-16422 Kista, Sweden; phone: +46 875 00000; fax: +46 875 06030.

TÜV Develops Single Mark for Certification of Products and Management Systems

Sister companies TÜV Product Service (München, Germany) and TÜV Management Service have developed a single modular mark for the certification of both products and management systems. The mark comes at a critical time, as implementation of the Medical Devices Directive 93/42/EEC on 14 June makes the GS mark obsolete for the certification of medical devices on a national basis.

Testing for the integrated mark is offered in various modules. The basic test version covers compliance with the essential requirements of the relevant European directives.

For more information, contact TÜV Product Service GmbH, Ridlerstr. 31, D-80339 München, Germany; phone: +49 8950 084250; fax: +49 8950 084254.