Medical Device Manufacturing poised for unprecedented growth.
Press Release Summary:
According to SME, medical device manufacturing companies are poised to experience era of unprecedented growth with aging population living longer, which is accelerating innovation. Mfg4, taking place May 8-10, 2012, will allow medical device manufactures to connect with other growth industries and learn new manufacturing best practices. Some industry trends that will be highlighted at event include: Additive Manufacturing, Infection Prevention Product Demand, and Miniaturization of Instruments.
Original Press Release:
Medical Device Manufacturing Sector Poised for Unprecedented Growth Driven By Innovation, According to SME
DEARBORN, Mich., - Medical device manufacturing companies are poised to experience an era of unprecedented growth and opportunity with the aging population living longer, which is accelerating innovation, according to the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).
SME is producing Mfg4 - Manufacturing 4 the Future - to break down traditional industry silos and allow medical device manufactures to connect with other growth industries - aerospace, defense and energy - and learn new manufacturing best practices. The exposition and conference, which takes place on May 8-10, 2012, in Hartford, Conn., was developed with an advisory committee of leading OEMs including Medtronic, Remmele Medical, Sikorsky, Raytheon and GE Energy.
Most manufacturing conferences focus on a specific industry where attendees can discover the latest in their respective fields. At Mfg4, however, medical device manufacturers will have the opportunity to discover the latest innovations from other fields and learn how to adopt these best practices.
"For the first time, the medical manufacturing sector can tap into the knowledge and expertise of other manufacturing sectors that are experiencing tremendous growth," said Debbie Holton, SME director of events and industry strategy. "The event will showcase the tremendous synergies between four key industries and provide opportunities for medical device manufacturers to discover new technologies and applications that their colleagues from aerospace, defense and energy are already using successfully."
Some of the major medical device industry trends that will be highlighted at Mfg4 include:
Implantable Medical Devices: Demand for implantable medical devices will increase over the next several years, with gains being driven by the development of next-generation devices based on new technologies and improved materials. The fastest growing categories will be spinal implants, cardiac stents and orthobiologics.
Additive Manufacturing: Steadily gaining acceptance for production of critical components in the medical device industry, additive manufacturing often revolves around parts with complex geometries and the use of materials that are difficult or expensive to process with conventional methods. Implant manufacturers are embracing this new product method to enhance overall efficiencies.
Infection Prevention Product Demand: Our nation's demand for infection prevention products and services is forecast to increase over the next five years. Safety-enhanced medical devices and medical waste disposal supplies are poised to be the fastest growing products, while protective apparel and textiles will remain the largest segment.
Miniaturization of Instruments: Medical equipment manufacturers will continue pushing the envelope of innovation when it comes to the miniaturization of instruments. Newer and smaller implants will help test, diagnose, and even alert doctors to problems with their patients, as well as replace costly routine visits.
Industry Resilient to Market Changes: The medical instrument and the supply manufacturing industry will be more resilient to market changes, as they are treated differently by most regulatory agencies and can get to the market quicker than pharmaceutical drugs and biotechnology products.
Donna Bibber, president and CEO of Massachusetts-based Micro Engineering Solutions, explains identifying the best material for a medical device, determining the best process to produce the material, and then validating those two factors is critical to micro manufacturing. "Networking at an event like Mfg4, you can partner with other companies that may help solve a piece of that puzzle," Bibber said.
Mfg4 is the first-ever conference and exposition that invites manufacturers and OEMs from four growth industries - aerospace, defense (including arms), medical and energy - to find success and opportunities by connecting, collaborating and sharing common manufacturing supply-chain challenges. For more information about attending, exhibiting, or presenting at Mfg4, visit mfg4event.com or call 800.733.3976. For the most up-to-date details, follow us on Twitter @mfg4event.
Mfg4 will alternate years with EASTEC, which has been at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Mass., since 1988, and returns there May 14-16, 2013.
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About SME
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its many programs, events, magazines, publications and online training division, Tooling U, SME connects manufacturing practitioners to each other, to the latest technologies and to the most up-to-date manufacturing processes. SME has members around the world and is supported by a network of chapters and technical communities. A 501(c)3 organization, SME is a leader in manufacturing workforce development issues, working with industry, academic and government partners to support the current and future skilled workforce.
