08.13.10
The Weinheim, Germany-based company and its affiliate Helix Medical Europe have purchased a 50-percent stake of VistaMed Ltd., an Irish manufacturer of complex medical tubing and medical devices. The company is based in Carrick-on-Shannon, a small town on the River Shannon that is world renowned for its fishing competitions. VistaMed employs 85 people and has two production plants in Ireland; it makes endoscopic components and mechanisms for catheters used in minimally invasive surgical procedures.
The deal, announced in April, advances Freudenberg’s move into the European medical market. Last year, the company set up a European headquarters for medical technology in Kaiserslautern, Germany. In a news release, Freudenberg executives said the alliance with VistaMed will broaden the companies’ range of materials and their product spectrum. Helix officials said the alliance with VistaMed “provides greater opportunities for both companies to develop and manufacture a broader range of innovative products.”
For Freudenberg, that means adding complete catheter systems to its line of seals, vibration control technology components, filters, nonwovens, release agents, specialty lubricants and mechatronic products. The company also develops software solutions and IT services primarily for small and medium-sized enterprises.
VistaMed, on the other hand, can now leverage the material test and analysis capabilities available through Freudenberg.
“The VistaMed team is very excited with this joint venture, which provides the platform to accelerate our product and process offering to our existing and new global customers,’’ Patrick Mulholland, VistaMed’s managing director, said in a news release. “VistaMed has positioned itself as a one stop solution provider for the design and manufacture of disposable medical devices and catheter tubing supplies. This alliance provides the scope for VistaMed to offer its customers a diverse range of silicone molded and extruded components.’’
Freudenberg has grown through acquisitions in the medical market, beginning in 2004 with its purchase of Jenline Industries Inc., a Gloucester, Mass.-based manufacturer of liquid silicone rubber products for the medical device and healthcare sectors. The company added Helix Medical in 2006 and Anura Plastics Engineering Corp. in 2008. The medical businesses have been integrated into one company—Carpenteria, Calif.-based Helix Medical LLC.
Helix Medical’s global manufacturing capabilities include silicone and thermoplastic molding, extrusion, assembly and packaging. The firm also makes silicone tubing and fluid handling components for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology markets.
The deal, announced in April, advances Freudenberg’s move into the European medical market. Last year, the company set up a European headquarters for medical technology in Kaiserslautern, Germany. In a news release, Freudenberg executives said the alliance with VistaMed will broaden the companies’ range of materials and their product spectrum. Helix officials said the alliance with VistaMed “provides greater opportunities for both companies to develop and manufacture a broader range of innovative products.”
For Freudenberg, that means adding complete catheter systems to its line of seals, vibration control technology components, filters, nonwovens, release agents, specialty lubricants and mechatronic products. The company also develops software solutions and IT services primarily for small and medium-sized enterprises.
VistaMed, on the other hand, can now leverage the material test and analysis capabilities available through Freudenberg.
“The VistaMed team is very excited with this joint venture, which provides the platform to accelerate our product and process offering to our existing and new global customers,’’ Patrick Mulholland, VistaMed’s managing director, said in a news release. “VistaMed has positioned itself as a one stop solution provider for the design and manufacture of disposable medical devices and catheter tubing supplies. This alliance provides the scope for VistaMed to offer its customers a diverse range of silicone molded and extruded components.’’
Freudenberg has grown through acquisitions in the medical market, beginning in 2004 with its purchase of Jenline Industries Inc., a Gloucester, Mass.-based manufacturer of liquid silicone rubber products for the medical device and healthcare sectors. The company added Helix Medical in 2006 and Anura Plastics Engineering Corp. in 2008. The medical businesses have been integrated into one company—Carpenteria, Calif.-based Helix Medical LLC.
Helix Medical’s global manufacturing capabilities include silicone and thermoplastic molding, extrusion, assembly and packaging. The firm also makes silicone tubing and fluid handling components for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology markets.