Industry & Business

Eight indigenous MedTech specialist companies have formed an innovative business cluster to promote Ireland as a global centre of excellence for the industry. The Atlantic MedTech Cluster is one of the first collaborative groups set up under Enterprise Ireland’s Clustering Programme. The cluster has been launched in Sligo by Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD.

The Atlantic MedTech Cluster is a collaborative business organisation, which has created a platform for the promotion and sourcing of medical device design and manufacturing in Ireland. It allows potential clients to easily access multiple leading MedTech service providers in Ireland, bringing companies with years of experience to one location. It also allows clients the option of cluster members collaborating on projects which would streamline project management, resources and delivery.

The companies involved in setting up the Atlantic MedTech Cluster are: Arrotek, ATS, iNBLEX Plastics, Pharma Stainless, SL Controls, Tool & Gauge, Verus Precision and Ward Automation. The companies, which are all based in the North West of Ireland, are leading specialists in many MedTech areas including product development, metrology, automation, precision engineering, manufacturing and software integration.

Combined, the companies have annual revenue of €33 million and employ 287 people in the region. They serve 282 customers between them – with 17 of the top 20 worldwide Medtech companies among their clients. (More details on each company are below).

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD said: “Enterprise Ireland’s Clustering Programme is an element of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs and is designed to encourage groups of businesses to collaborate to achieve specific objectives, improve competitive advantage, and ultimately, create jobs. The programme, which is based on international best practice, is supported jointly by Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta, and the Local Enterprise Offices. The Atlantic Medtech Cluster is an excellent example of what can be achieved under this initiative. Its eight members are already establishing an international presence under this unified structure and I wish the Cluster continued success.”

Andrew Hodson, Managing Director of Verus Precision, one of the companies which set up the cluster, said: “This is a very new concept in Ireland but one which we are very committed to as we recognise the ever-increasing importance of collaboration and innovation as a means of achieving maximum cost and time efficiencies – for both cluster members and clients. Ireland is the second largest employer of MedTech professionals in Europe and 18 of the world’s top 25 medical technology companies have a base in Ireland. This cluster was started by specialist MedTech service companies based in the North West of Ireland. This region has always been a leader in the MedTech field and we as a group are committed to creating a world-class MedTech centre of excellence here in Ireland.”

Niall O’Donnellan, Head of ICT and International Services at Enterprise Ireland, said: “Multinational companies in the medical technology sector are increasingly seeking to reduce the number of key strategic suppliers. They demand an expanding range of services from their suppliers and are prepared to invest in developing very close mutually-beneficial working relationships. This means suppliers must attain a certain size to be able to target opportunities on the global market, which makes it challenging for small Irish suppliers to compete individually. However, by coming together in a cluster, suppliers can offer an enhanced scope of products and services, and position themselves to win more business in the expanding global medical technology market.”

For more, see http://www.atlanticmedtechcluster.com

Companies in Medtech Cluster:

• Arrotek is a medical device company specialising in the design and manufacture of minimally invasive medical devices. www.arrotek.com
• ATS is an automation specialist company which provides custom-designed automation solutions to maximise operational efficiencies for leading manufacturing companies globally. www.automationtechnology.ie
• iNBLEX Plastics is a manufacturer of standard and custom extrusion blow-moulded and injection-moulded packaging products. www.inblex.ie
• Pharma Stainless is a leading provider of stainless steel products and services, to a wide range of industries, including Pharmaceutical, Healthcare, Biotech, and Medical Devices. www.pharmastainless.ie
• SL Controls is an internationally recognised leader in the integration and validation of software systems into manufacturing and process equipment. www.Slcontrols.com 
• Tool & Gauge designs and manufactures high-precision injection moulds and precision machining. http://tag.ie/
• Verus Precision specialises in metrology, fixtures design, and moldflow analysis and creates advanced yet incredibly functional solutions for new products and processes. https://verusprecision.com
• Ward Automation is a world-class developer and manufacturer of assembly machines, filling machines, test equipment and special purpose equipment. http://wardautomation.ie/

CAPTION:

Pictured with Minister Heather Humphreys TD (centre) are (l-r):  Keith Moran, SL Controls; John Ward, Ward Automation; Mark Pugh, Arrotek; Kevin O’Callaghan, Pharma Stainless; Dominic Finlay, ATS; Brendan Duggan, iNBLEX Plastics; John Shiel, Enterprise Ireland; Gerry Rafter, Tool & Gauge; Andrew Hodson, Verus Precision.