Life Sciences Sector

Medical Devices

Following significant research, Locate in Birmingham has identified a niche opportunity for local manufacturing organisations. This potential for economic growth exists within the Medical Devices arena, part of the Life Sciences sector. 

Diversification

Extensive business opportunities exist for Birmingham and West Midland based manufacturing and engineering companies. For those organisations prepared to accept the challenge of change there are potentially lucrative global marketplaces to be conquered.

“Birmingham has great potential to lead the region and the nation in developing products and services in the healthcare sector. Our message is quite simple. Manufacturing firms that are currently, for example, engineering specialists in the local automotive supply chain, can with some investment, diversify their business towards the engineering of more value added medical devices and components”. Mike Loftus, Manager, Locate in Birmingham.

Working closely with Medilink West Midlands, an industry focused organisation promoting opportunities in medical technologies and health sciences, Locate in Birmingham hopes to deliver the diversification message to the region's manufacturing firms. "We hope to raise awareness of the opportunity amongst the local manufacturers, introduce them to the products of the future and help them explore the potential for moving their business forward". 

As the population ages, the demand for drugs and devices that will enable people to live healthier longer can only get bigger. Both Locate in Birmingham and Medilink are already alive to some of the opportunities that Birmingham’s rich legacy of engineering expertise can provide in this growing field.

Birmingham is a nexus of healthcare facilities, research establishments and private sector companies – a true centre of medical technology. With three universities, an array of research and development bodies and business support organisations, the City has a great potential to lead the region and nation in developing products and services in the healthcare sector. Various clusters have already formed and are going from strength to strength.

A number of Birmingham companies have already diversified their businesses and are now reaping the rewards to be had from the medical sector. To view case studies, click here.

Can you supply the UK medical industry too?

Locate in Birmingham together with its partners working in the medical sector, Medilink West Midlands and HealthTech, hosted a diversification seminar in February 2005. Located at the NEC alongside the Medical Devices Technology Exhibition, Locate invited local manufacturing companies to consider diversifying their businesses to supply the medical and healthcare industries.

Key players in the medical/healthcare sector presented to the audience with a diverse range of topics - from processes involved when considering moving into a new market sector, to actual case studies from companies who have already taken their successful first steps into the medical/healthcare sector, and even a broader perspective from the Chief Executive of one of the region's NHS Trusts explaining how the NHS wants, and needs, to work more closely with the regions industry. The event finished with guided tours of the MDT exhibition so that manufacturing companies could be introduced to companies already supplying the medical market who have come from a similar background to themselves.

Weston Beamor is a specialist in the precision casting of precious metals for manufacturing jewellery. The medical industry was an area it had thought about but not investigated until it received the information
from Locate In Birmingham.

Chris Fenwick, Production Director of Weston Beamor, said: "It was interesting to hear the opportunities available at the seminar and learn how other businesses had diversified. Meeting other companies and industry experts that had already taken this journey has given us areas to explore for future development."

Presentations from the day are available below:

Why Diversify? Norman Price, AWM

The Opportunity - NHS working more closely with industry, Mark Goldman, Chief Executive, Birmingham Heartlands & Solihull (Teaching) NHS Trust

First Steps - From Automotive components to surgical implants, Warren Gray, Sales Director, MCS Medical. Presentation not available.

Using Design - From Jaguars to MRI scanners, Keith Helfet, Helfet Design. Presentation to be uploaded shortly. Please check again.

Getting into the market - From insect control systems to air sterilisation products, John Burrows, Managing Director, Brandenburg UK Ltd 

Summary, Daniel Steenstra, Business Development Manager, HealthTech

For further information contact Phil Doherty on 0121 303 2222, or click here to send him an e-mail.

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