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Orthopedic
Industry Supplier News |
| Return to Supplier News Source: Armadillo PR 22 JULY 2005 DONCASTERS MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES MAKES MOVES IN MEXICO Doncasters Medical Technologies, a leading global manufacturer of investment cast orthopaedic products, orthopaedic instrumentation, near net-shaped forgings and finishing operations, has invested $3m in a low cost manufacturing facility in Mexico to offer its customers greater choice and flexibility. The Mexico site has 25,000 square feet dedicated to orthopaedic and spinal machining and finishing of both implants and instrumentation. The facility is staffed by a team of engineers experienced in CNC programming, tooling and fixturing design. The facility will be managed by the Medical Technologies Oregon Operations team and will also benefit from the supply-chain management and engineering know-how of the Doncasters Alabama Operations. Doncasters Medical Technologies has additionally boosted its manufacturing capacity by transferring non-medical work undertaken in the Oregon (USA) and Sheffield (UK) facilities to other sites within the Group to create greater capacity for the medical business and a focused supply chain. At its Sheffield site, Doncasters has enhanced its casting, forging and finishing production facilities by installing additional equipment to create a ‘pure play’ medical facility. Ken Birdsong, President and Managing Director for Doncaster Medical Technologies, commented: “We are committed to offering customers the depth and breadth of capability within the Doncasters Group – efficiently and competitively. The investment in a low cost manufacturing facility in Mexico, combined with focused pure-play manufacturing at all our medical sites, means Doncasters Medical Technologies division is now very well placed to continue to grow, both organically and via strategic acquisitions over the next few years.” Thanks to the acquisition of Liberty Machine in Alabama in 2004, Doncasters has also expanded its portfolio into orthopaedic instrumentation. From simple or custom components to complex instruments, the Doncasters Medical Technologies – Alabama Operations provides instrument solutions for the knee, hip, trauma, small joint and spine sectors. Eric J. Lewis, CEO of the Doncasters Group finished: “This significant boost to our capacity means we are now positioned as a truly global supplier in the orthopaedic sector, with the facilities, technical expertise and integrated supply chain which clearly differentiates us in the marketplace. We are always looking at ways to offer a ‘smarter solution’ to customers and are continually improving the business wherever possible to achieve this aim.” Notes to editor: The Doncasters Group is a leading international manufacturer that supplies precision components and assemblies to the aerospace, power generation, specialty automotive and medical orthopaedic industries. Doncasters excels in working with alloys and metals that are difficult to shape and form. The company’s unparalleled range of products and processes has been developed to offer customers a broad, vertically integrated capability. Core manufacturing processes include precision casting, forging, fabrication, machining and production of superalloys. Key products include airfoils, structures, casings, rings, exhausts and combustion components for gas turbine applications, aerostructures and components for airframe applications, femoral knees, tibial trays, humeral stems, femoral hips and bone plates for orthopaedic applications and compressor and turbine wheels for the turbocharger market. The company offers well-developed supply chain integration solutions, delivering complex assemblies and engine-ready components to its customers. Doncasters employs some 4,300 people at over 20 sites across Europe, the USA and Mexico. The Group has institutionalised lean manufacturing and Six Sigma principles throughout its operations. For more information contact: Emma Dixon |