• Login
    • Join
  • FOLLOW:
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Opinions
    • Top 30
    • Research
    • Supply Chain
    • Device Sectors
    • Directory
    • Events
    • Resources
    • Microsites
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Top 30
  • Research
  • Supply Chain
  • Device Sectors
  • Directory
  • Events
  • Resources
  • Microsites
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Editorial Guidelines
    Reprints
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    MPO's 2023 Medical Device Industry Year in Review

    The Beat Goes On in the Cardiovascular Device Market

    Medical Manufacturers Gain Support from 3D Printing

    The Intelligent Tools Medical Device Manufacturers Already Own

    MPO's 2023 Medtech Supply Chain Survey
    OEM News
    Supplier News
    Service / Press Releases
    Online Exclusives
    Press Releases
    People in the News
    Product & Service Releases
    Supplier News
    Medtech Makers
    Technical Features
    International News
    Videos
    Product & Service Releases
    Live From Shows
    Regulatory
    Financial/Business
    Top News
    Philips Launches 3 New Fit for Purpose MR Smart Fit Coils

    Pulse Biosciences, CardioNXT Partner on First-in-Human Afib Study

    Agiliti Replaces CEO With Former Chief Executive

    Vindell Washington Joins Tactile Medical's Board of DIrectors

    First Patient Treated in Study of PercAssist's PSCA System
    From the Editor
    Blogs
    Guest Opinions
    Top Opinions
    MPO's 2023 Medical Device Industry Year in Review

    The Beat Goes On in the Cardiovascular Device Market

    Medical Manufacturers Gain Support from 3D Printing

    The Intelligent Tools Medical Device Manufacturers Already Own

    MPO's 2023 Medtech Supply Chain Survey
    Top 30 Medical Device Companies
    Market Data
    White Papers
    Top Research
    A Peek Into the 2028 MPO Summit

    Retail Healthcare Disruptors and Medical Devices

    Six Developments Your Talent Strategy Should Prepare for in 2024

    The Power and Paradox of Never

    Navigating the Q-Sub Program: How Experienced Lab Partners Can Help Streamline Regulatory Submission
    3D/Additive Manufacturing
    Contract Manufacturing
    Electronics
    Machining & Laser Processing
    Materials
    Molding
    Packaging & Sterilization
    R&D & Design
    Software & IT
    Testing
    Tubing & Extrusion
    Cardiovascular
    Diagnostics
    Digital Health
    Neurological
    Patient Monitoring
    Surgical
    Orthopedics
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Capabilities
    Add New Company
    Outsourcing Directory
    Cirtec Medical

    JBC Technologies

    C-AXIS INC.

    maxon

    Halkey-Roberts Corporation
    MPO Summit
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live From Show Event
    Industry Associations
    Videos
    Career Central
    eBook
    Slideshows
    Top Resources
    Telemedicine for Neurology: 5 Benefits of Remote Management

    Machining 101: A Review of Machining Components with a Five-Axis System

    MedTech 2024: Top 5 Trends Shaping a Dynamic Industry

    Early Warning: A Q&A with Abbott's CMO of Heart Failure

    2023 in Review: Medtech's Mega-M&A Is MIA
    Companies
    News Releases
    Product Releases
    Press Releases
    Product Spec Sheets
    Service Releases
    Case Studies
    White Papers
    Brochures
    Videos
    Outsourcing Directory
    Cirtec Medical

    JBC Technologies

    C-AXIS INC.

    maxon

    Halkey-Roberts Corporation
    • Magazine
      • Current/Back Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Editions
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • News
    • Directory
      • All Companies
      • ALL CATEGORIES
      • Industry Associations
      • Company Capabilities
      • Add Your Company
    • Supply Chain
      • 3D/Additive Manufacturing
      • Contract Manufacturing
      • Electronics
      • Machining & Laser Processing
      • Materials
      • Molding
      • Packaging & Sterilization
      • R&D & Design
      • Software & IT
      • Testing
      • Tubing & Extrusion
    • Device Sectors
      • Cardiovascular
      • Diagnostics
      • Digital Health
      • Neurological
      • Patient Monitoring
      • Surgical
      • Orthopedics
    • Top 30 Company Report
    • Expert Insights
    • Slideshows
    • Videos
    • eBook
    • Resources
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Whitepapers
    • Research
      • White Papers
      • Case Studies
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Market Data
    • MPO Summit
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Events
      • Webinars
    • Microsite
      • Companies
      • Product Releases
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Services
      • White Papers / Tech Papers
      • Press Releases
      • Videos
      • Literature / Brochures
      • Case Studies
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise with Us
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Online Exclusives

    EMS Providers Play Key Role in Product Development Amid Pandemic

    EMS firms acting as 'a central point' to ensure 'all the pieces come together.'

    EMS Providers Play Key Role in Product Development Amid Pandemic
    Michael Barbella, Managing Editor04.27.21
    Last spring, Vexos Inc. received a federal contract to produce 10,000 mechanical ventilators for COVID-19 patients in Canada. The global electronics manufacturing services (EMS) and custom material solutions provider was part of a consortium that worked to ensure the Land of Maple Syrup had a sufficient ventilator supply for its hospitalized patients.
     
    Vexos worked with Elemaster Group and JMP Solutions to manufacture the Mechanical Ventilator Milano (MVM), an electrically operated, microprocessor-controlled, pneumatically driven machine. The project truly was a collaborative effort: Elemaster designed the ventilator, JPM Solutions made the mechanical sub-assembly, and Vexos provided the electronics (and tested the device).
     
    “We recognized the need to partner with an experienced EMS organization with strong manufacturing and supply chain presence in the medical sector, and the ability to meet U.S. and Canadian regulatory requirements,” Elemaster President/CEO Gabriele Cogliati said. “In Vexos, we have a partner that aligns with us and our goal, to provide the MVM Ventilator globally.”
     
    Such partnerships were commonplace in the pandemic’s early days as companies from all walks of life (including healthcare) turned to EMS providers for help in navigating COVID-19-induced supply chain challenges and equipment shortages. Their expertise particularly was crucial in maintaining device connectivity and meeting the skyrocketing demand for telehealth services and remote patient monitoring technology.
     
    Medical Product Outsourcing’s January/February feature, "Virtual Allies," examines the key role EMS providers played in helping address the medtech industry’s quickly-changing needs. Georgeann Snead, president and CEO of Electronic Design & Manufacturing, was among the experts interviewed for the story. Her full input is provided in the following Q&A.
     
    Michael Barbella: What are customers demanding of their EMS providers?
    Georgeann Snead: From EDMs' overall customer perspective, we’ve found that customers are looking for more support from their EMS providers. COVID-19 has intensified that as teams are forced to work from home. We’ve seen a significant increase in the need for test engineering support, because many of customers lack the bandwidth to do that in-house, especially when their teams are working from home.
     
    Barbella: What qualities do OEMs look for in selecting EMS providers? How has this changed over the last five years (if at all)?
    Snead: Customers are under more cost pressure. We’ve seen a split between existing customers and the market as a whole in how that is dealt with. Existing customers want to leverage our internal support capabilities such as engineering and automation expertise to reduce cost or control cost. Prospective customers are shopping more on price alone and this has intensified over the last year.
     
    Barbella: Please discuss the biggest challenges EMS providers face regarding technology in the next five years. How is your company addressing these challenges?
    Snead: Within our medical customer base we haven’t seen technology challenges because they tend to focus on proven technologies. That said, within the segments of our customers more focused on leading-edge technology, we do see challenges in newer component packaging styles and test complexity. This drives continuing investment in personnel and equipment.
     
    Barbella: How has the OEM-EMS provider relationship changed in the wake of COVID-19?
    Snead: One of the big challenges we’ve seen is that when customer teams are forced to work remotely, it is easy for them to focus on their individual tasks and lose sight of the big picture. We see our role as a central point that ensures all the pieces come together. It increases our engagement in terms of helping to drive the process. The other major relationship change is that there have been huge demand swings among our customers. Some projects came to a grinding halt, while others saw huge spikes in demand. It highlighted the partnership aspect of the EMS-OEM relationship. Customers needed flexibility that went far beyond the contractual terms of our relationship and we were willing to support them.
     
    Barbella: What lessons—if any—have EMS providers learned from the pandemic that they can carry forward once the virus is brought under control?
    Snead: I think the best lesson learned was that many of our practices in terms of supply chain relationships and inventory management served us well during the pandemic. We were also able to pivot to adopt safe workplace practices and operate continuously. That said, this year has encouraged us to look harder at worst case disruption scenarios to make sure we have backup plans in place for a broader range of contingencies.
     
    Barbella: Were supply chain management skills tested by the pandemic? How did your company respond to the challenge? 
    Snead: In some cases, our customers had sole-source suppliers that had factory shutdowns. Our engineering team had to get creative with options in some of those situations to identify alternate options.
     
     
    Related Searches
    • Electronics
    Related Knowledge Center
    • Electronics
    Suggested For You
    Hobson & Motzer Inc. Hobson & Motzer Inc.
    Beaumont Beaumont
    sfm medical devices GmbH sfm medical devices GmbH
    Simbex Simbex
    IMA Automation North America IMA Automation North America
    Nissha Medical Technologies Nissha Medical Technologies
    Coastline International Inc. Coastline International Inc.
    JK Medirise-Disposable Medical Device Company JK Medirise-Disposable Medical Device Company
    American Swiss Products Co. Inc. American Swiss Products Co. Inc.
    Simplexity Product Development Inc. Simplexity Product Development Inc.
    Northeast Biomedical Inc. Northeast Biomedical Inc.
    Cadence Inc. Cadence Inc.
    BMP Medical - Delivering Custom Plastics Manufactured Solutions BMP Medical - Delivering Custom Plastics Manufactured Solutions
    Rootstock Software Rootstock Software
    High Tech Turning Co. Inc. High Tech Turning Co. Inc.

    Related Buyers Guide Companies

    • Hobson & Motzer Inc.

      Hobson & Motzer Inc.

      ...
      Anthony Bracale, Director, Sales & Marketing 12.01.23

    • Beaumont

      Beaumont

      ...
      Eliana Pietras, Marketing Communications Lead 12.01.23

    • sfm medical devices GmbH

      ...
      Albert Busch, Head of Marketing 10.17.23


    • Simbex

      ...
      Greg Lange, Chief Executive Officer 10.12.23

    • IMA Automation North America

      ...
      Paul Beduze, Sales Manager 10.05.23

    Loading, Please Wait..

    Breaking News
    • Philips Launches 3 New Fit for Purpose MR Smart Fit Coils
    • Pulse Biosciences, CardioNXT Partner on First-in-Human Afib Study
    • Agiliti Replaces CEO With Former Chief Executive
    • Vindell Washington Joins Tactile Medical's Board of DIrectors
    • First Patient Treated in Study of PercAssist's PSCA System
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    November 2023

    • MPO's 2023 Medical Device Industry Year in Review
    • The Beat Goes On in the Cardiovascular Device Market
    • Medical Manufacturers Gain Support from 3D Printing
    • The Intelligent Tools Medical Device Manufacturers Already Own
    • View More >

    Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
    You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe
    Nutraceuticals World

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    Euromed Receives EcoVadis Platinum Medal for ESG Efforts
    Rousselot Receives U.S. Patent for Gelatin that Improves Softgel Stability, Efficacy
    CRN-International Announces New Publication Identifying Global Nutrient Gaps
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    BASF: Chemistry and Sustainability – A Perfect Match
    PPG Again Recognized Among Foundry’s Computerworld ‘Best Places to Work in IT in 2024’
    Dunn-Edwards Celebrates Opening of Santa Rosa, CA Storefront
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    Philips Launches 3 New Fit for Purpose MR Smart Fit Coils
    Pulse Biosciences, CardioNXT Partner on First-in-Human Afib Study
    Agiliti Replaces CEO With Former Chief Executive
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    Abbisko, Merck Enter Licensing Agreement for Pimicotinib
    Roche to Acquire Carmot Therapeutics for $2.7B Upfront
    Rentschler Biopharma Names Günter Stempfer Site Head in Germany
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    Varsity Spirit Introduces Beauty Line Inspired by and Designed for Athletes
    Amyris Sells Four Consumer Beauty Brands
    Anisa International Earns Silver Sustainability Rating from EcoVadis
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    Designs for Health Launches Two New Collagen Formulas
    Doug Gillespie Appointed CEO of Beauty By Imagination, Inc.
    Theraderm Unveils Night Cream With Retinol and Peptides
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    Chemistry and Sustainability – A Perfect Match: BASF
    Xeikon Highlights Digital Expertise at Labelexpo Asia
    Kongsberg Launches New Digital Cutting Platform
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    Avery Dennison achieves +Vantage Vinyl verification
    GMG appoints Oscar Trevino to sales team
    Xeikon brings digital expertise to Labelexpo Asia
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    Bunting Magnetics Announces Personnel Appointments
    Mativ Completes Sale of Engineered Papers Business
    Mehmet Dasdemir Joins Nonwovens Institute
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Nalu SCS System Shows 75% Pain Reduction in U.S. Study
    CTL Amedica’s MONET ACIF Approved for Use in Mexico
    New Wearable Device Helps Improve Postural Control and Reduce Fall Risk
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    NRF Announces FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam as Keynote Speaker
    ams OSRAM Launches SFH 7018 Multi-LED Package
    Applied Materials Receives SBTi Validation

    Copyright © 2023 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

    AD BLOCKER DETECTED

    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
    Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


    FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login