2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000

12/23 - Morgan Advanced Ceramics' Alberox Division offers custom-designed ceramic feed-thrus used in internal bone growth stimulators.

IncisionTech announced new capabilities, including 5-axis precision grinding equipment, wire EDM, CNC forming capability, extreme profile grinding equipment, and electro-chemical pointing process, optimized for precision critical medical components.

Paragon Medical acquired four companies; Mark Machine and Ortho-Craft, manufacturers of precision orthopaedic instruments and medical devices, and their affiliate companies Osteomac and Ortho-Precision, respectively.

12/15 - Instron and Ranier Technology completed installation of advanced test systems at Ranier’s spinal device development center, including multiple Instron 8874 Axial-Torsional Test Systems with advanced fatigue software. Ranier will use Instron's technology to execute the testing protocol for Ranier’s CAdisc artificial spinal disc.

12/14 - Dubai International signed an agreement to acquire Doncasters Group for AED 4.5 billion (US $1.2 billion). Doncasters' orthopaedic customers include Aesculap, Biomet, Corin, DePuy, Finsbury, Smith & Nephew and Zimmer.

12/01 - OMTEC 2006, the Second Annual Orthopaedic Manufacturing & Technology Exposition and Conference, will be held June 21-22, 2006 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.

11/22 - New England Precision Grinding was awarded a Workforce Training Fund Grant from the state of Massachusetts.  

11/18 - Specialty Blades/IncisionTech will invest $6MM to expand its facility in Staunton, VA. The company manufactures precision cutting and piercing components; its IncisionTech division focuses solely on OEM medical device applications. The project will create 25 new jobs and includes the addition of a 28,000 sq. ft. facility.

VIASYS® Orthopedics/Tecomet™ opened LaunchQuick™, a dedicated Process Development Center designed to reduce time-to-market for new product launch through a seamless transition to full-scale manufacturing. LaunchQuick™ is equipped with 4-Axis and 5-Axis Machining Centers, as well as a 9-Axis Integrated Machining Center. The company has also added a 1300 Ton Press to its forging facility.

11/3 - VIASYS Healthcare acquired Intermed Precision, a developer and supplier of orthopaedic instruments, implants and micro-machined components used in minimally invasive surgical devices.

C&W Swiss Inc. has been recommended for ISO 9001:2000 certification, successfully completing an audit without any nonconformances or minor nonconformances.

11/1 - Precimed announces Precimed Asia, its new operations in Guangzhou, China.

10/18 - Gauthier Biomedical secured patent number 6,948,605 for an exclusive ratcheting mechanism used in their extended line of screwdrivers, designed to limit axial and side-to-side “play” between the shaft and the handle. 

Symmetry Medical opened a facility in the U.K. to provide Total Solutions®, design services, co-development, prototypes, project management and Symmetry products in Europe.

10/11 - Under terms of a new agreement, Leis Partners will serve as the marketing and sales arm for Advantis Medical, provider of custom delivery systems for the orthopaedic and medical markets.

Accellent signed a definitive merger agreement with affiliates of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts in a transaction valued at ~$1.27 billion, expected to close by the end of 2005.

10/7 - Accellent acquired Machining Technology Group (MTG), which specializes in rapid prototyping and manufacturing of instruments for orthopaedic device companies. MTG's primary focus is spine products, as well as instruments used in knee and hip replacements and trauma procedures.

10/6 - Wayne E. Roberts has joined The Electrolizing Corporation of OHIO as its chief chemist, and Mark Stover has been appointed to serve as the metal finishing company's new quality manager.

09/16 - Summit Corporate Services renewed an agreement to provide ongoing services (e.g. patient pre-screening for clinical trials, inventory management, records maintenance, etc.) for Stryker Spine's Motion Prevention unit and the FlexiCore and CerviCore intervertebral disc replacements.

09/15 -The 1st implantable medical device using Invibio's PEEK-OPTIMA® polymer received regulatory clearance in Japan. The arthroscopy device is a tissue repair system used in shoulder procedures.

09/14 - Gauthier Biomedical has been recommended for ISO 13485:2003 certification. Further, for the 2nd consecutive year, the company is named to the Milwaukee's Future 50 list of successful and growing companies.

Precimed closed a CHF 34MM equity transaction (~$27MM USD) to fund the company's organic growth and enable strategic acquisitions.

09/12 - Millstone Medical launched the Loaner Expedite Program, a streamlined system that minimizes the cost and time to deliver fully-inspected surgical kits to operating rooms.

Holmed Corporation was approved for 13485 certification by TUV. The company now has full design capabilities as well as a complete manufacturing facility dedicated to spine, knees, hip, and shoulder instruments and implant development.

08/26 - IncisionTech was established as a separate division from its founding company, Specialty Blades, Inc. IncisionTech is focused solely on OEM medical device applications, enabling it to create better patient outcomes through innovative incision technologies.

08/15 - Paragon Medical has closed an equity transaction for a combined US $25MM. The funds will supply growth capital for Paragon in support of both organic and inorganic growth initiatives.

08/04 - Summit Corporate Services signed an agreement to provide services for the Biologic Division of Bacterin International Inc., a developer and manufacturer of elutive bioactive coatings for medical devices. Summit will perform outsourcing services including call center support, customer service, inventory management, billing/collections, logistical support, distribution and records maintenance.

07/22 - Doncasters Medical Technologies has invested $3m in a low cost, 25,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Mexico, dedicated to orthopaedic and spinal machining and finishing of both implants and instrumentation.

07/21 - Accellent received company-wide certification to ISO 13485:2003.

07/18 - Allegheny Technologies plans to expand its titanium production capabilities through capital investments of ~$100MM over the next 18 months.

07/11 - Teleflex Medical OEM is opening its first U.S.-based technology center in Massachusetts. This facility will provide a central point of contact for all of Teleflex Medical OEM's brands, including TFX OEM and Deknatel™.

Minnesota Rubber and QMR Plastics announced the acquisition of S&W Plastics, a 35-year-old plastic injection molding manufacturer based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

06/30 - Precimed entered into a strategic partnership with MBBS to bring to the orthopaedic industry a patented, autoclavable radio frequency identification system that is able to read and write through metal. The technology, which allows medical devices to be monitored, traced and tracked, may have application in computer aided and minimally invasive surgery, surgical technique reference guides, etc.

A group of medical device contract manufacturers formed Orchid Orthopedic Solutions, comprising BioCoat, Stealth Medical Technologies and Unique Instruments. The companies are particularly focused on serving the hip and knee segments of the orthopaedic market, and their capabilities address exotic alloys, coatings and instruments.

06/28 - Medin Corporation and its affiliates have been approved to ISO 13485:2003 for the design, development and manufacture of sterilization cases, trays and accessories.

Tornos has developed a new thread whirling attachment that operates on the “sub” spindle, designed to facilitate the whirling of larger size threads typically found on hip or “lag” orthopedic bone screws. The company also introducing a larger external thread whirling attachment for use in counter operations.

06/10 - At OMTEC, Composition Materials Company (Booth A2) will offer demonstrations of SpeedMask™ technology. OEM attendees are invited to bring components to the booth and take home a masked product for evaluation. [See article in the Fall 2004 issue of BONEZone®]

Doncasters Medical Technologies was awarded the 5th Year Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program standard from Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division.

Doncasters also announced the appointment of Kevin Mullowney as Sales Manager – North American Operations.

Acme Manufacturing Company announces the hiring of Charlie Young as Sr. Product Manager – Robotic Integration.

06/07 - Millstone Medical Outsourcing is maximizing the value of OEMs' surgical instruments with an international recycling program that collects, tracks and redistributes orthopaedic instrument kits. This new program provides OEMs with unprecedented visibility into their available inventory, and an effective way to re-deploy instruments in time for scheduled surgeries.

05/25 - IonBond acquired SwissCoating/PVT, ICC and Tinkap. The merger complements IonBond's Bernex CVD equipment line and coating service, bringing experience in the manufacture of PVD equipment and diamond-like carbon and PVD coatings.

As part of its aggressive capacity expansion program, and in response to continued strong customer demand, PAK MANUFACTURING has recently added 2 multi-axis CNC milling centers, 2 wire EDMs, a sinker EDM, a computerized video inspection system and a CMM to its complement of shop equipment.

05/19 - 3D Machining completed expansion of their Manufacturing Facility, which now totals >40,000 sq/ft., and added their 19th Multi-Axis CNC Swiss type machine.

05/12 - Precimed SA added a new manufacturing facility in Corgémont, Switzerland and announced expansion plans that will bring total manufacturing space to approximately 34,000 square feet by 2006. A machine budget for 2005 increases Precimed's capacity to include additional laser welding, cutting and etching, Swiss CNC, CNC turning and 7-axis grinding machines to support the expansion.

Sparton Corporation signed a binding letter of intent to acquire HDJ Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Specialized Medical Devices, by the end of 7/05. Sparton intends to continue to operate the business as a wholly-owned subsidiary.

05/03 - Ray Harris has been named the director of sales for The Electrolizing Corporation of OHIO.

04/26 - MicroGroup introduced its new catalog, including an up-to-date tubing and materials specifications guide, size/tolerance charts of MicroGroup’s precision manufacturing capabilities, and descriptions/photos of MicroGroup’s off-the-shelf fittings, valves, abrasive tools, dispensing products and more.

04/19 - Paragon Medical held a groundbreaking ceremony at its Pierceton headquarters for a new 50,000 square foot manufacturing facility. The building is part of a $50 million, multi-year campus and overall corporate expansion plan and comes approximately 9 months ahead of schedule.

04/11 - Paragon Medical announces the promotion of Gary McGill to the office of President and Chief Operating Officer.

04/08 - Micropulse and Precimed are investing in new equipment due to increased customer demand.

04/05 - Ranier Technology received the 'Small Business of the Year' award at the Cambridge Evening News 2004 Business Excellence awards. In order to achieve this award, Ranier had to demonstrate the strength of their innovation and creativity, marketing and management skills to stand out from other companies nominated in the same category.

03/11 - The Orthopaedic Manufacturing & Technology Exposition and Conference (OMTEC 2005) debuts June 21 in Chicago, Illinois as the world's only event focused on meeting the strategic sourcing needs of the orthopaedic industry's OEM buyers.

03/10 - AP&C Advanced Powders and Coatings will begin commercial production of nano-sized and micron-sized titanium powders, which have application in the manufacture of hip and knee replacements and other orthopaedic implants.

03/01 - Mar-Test expanded its Cincinnati testing laboratory, a third party accredited facility with quality systems in compliance with ISO 17025. Monotonic and dynamic testing services include tension, compression, bending, torsion, flexion-extension and multi-axial.

02/16 - STS duoTEK, Inc., has been acquired by Ethox Corp., creating one of the largest fully integrated contract medical manufacturers in the U.S. The terms of the transaction are undisclosed.

02/14 - Gauthier Biomedical, Inc. received patent number 6,817,458 for the ratcheting mechanism contained in their extensive line of screwdrivers.

Unique Design and Development earned certification to ISO 13485:2003 and ISO 9001:2000.

ENSINGER entered into a marketing agreement with Invibio® whereby ENSINGER will market Invibio’s PEEK-CLASSIX™ polymer for use in the production of medical applications and instruments to its medical and pharmaceutical customers. ENSINGER will market the material under the name TECAPEEK Classix.

02/10 - Troy Innovative Instruments has expanded its capabilities by increasing its personnel and procuring additional equipment such as a HAAS CNC Vertical High Speed Machining Center, two Citizen CNC Swiss Turning Centers, and various secondary and inspection equipment.

02/07 - Poly Hi Solidur-MediTECH® announces the promotion of Ron Denoo, Director of Business Development.

01/31 - The 13th Annual Orthopaedic Vendor Exhibition will be held on Thursday evening, February 24, 2005, during the 72nd Annual Meeting of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

01/25 - Specialized Medical Devices recently expanded its CNC milling department by adding a Haas Super VF 3 5-Axis vertical milling center and a Haas Super VF 2 4-Axis vertical milling center.

01/25 - Path4 announces the appointment of Matt Marino to the position of Vice President of Finance and Administration. Mr. Marino has a strong history of working with successful, start-up companies in the venture capital community. He has performed in diverse settings and industries with a continuous focus on developing and implementing financial systems to insure that high performance is achieved.

01/24 - Symmetry Medical completed an $8.5MM facility expansion, including additions and new buildings at locations in Indiana, Tennessee and the U.K.

01/11 - Paragon Medical Europe, a division of Paragon Medical, Inc., Pierceton, IN, is pleased to announce the addition of Design Engineers Alzan Hadi and Georges Kraftsik to its growing European division.

01/11 - UTI Corporation changed its name to Accellent Inc. The company's Orthopaedic division develops, manufactures and assembles implants and instruments for the reconstructive, spinal, trauma and sports medicine markets.

01/04 - DRT Mfg. Co. purchased Mauch, Inc., an Ossür company. Mauch specializes in manufacturing for the prosthetic and orthopedic segments of the medical industry. The Mauch operations will be moved into the DRT facilities during the first quarter of 2005.

01/04 - C&W Swiss has purchased a Star SR-20R II Swiss Style multi-axis machining center, and expects to receive another SR20R II by the end of 1/05.

01/03 - MicroGroup has purchased one RAM and three WIRE EDM machines, including two new, multi-axis, submersible Charmilles 240 WIRE EDMs.