To mark the decennial event, we have highlighted in this issue (with features: The Medtech Outsourcing (R)Evolution and A Decade of Discovery) significant events, trends and changes in the medical device and outsourcing markets. From business developments and regulatory shifts, to new technology and manufacturing methods, a lot has happened in 10 years.
For a little retrospection, I asked Howard Revitch, group publisher for MPO, about the expectations and goals for starting the magazine.
Where did the idea for MPO come from?
In 2002, I began to notice a shift away from the term “contract manufacturing” in the medical device sector in favor of the term “outsourcing,” which encompasses the manufacturing and the service sides of the process. There was a need for a true voice for the outsourcing sector of the industry, which was growing by 15-20 percent annually. Other magazines touched on outsourcing issues, but there was no magazine that focused 100 percent on the partnership between the OEM and the supplier. To meet that need in a unique way, we created MPO. The first issue was published in June 2003.
What were the original goals for starting MPO, and have those expectations been met?
The goal was to focus the magazine equally to OEM and supplier perspectives. None of the magazines serving the industry spoke directly to the outsourcing service side. Most were directed to the OEM only. We felt it was important to provide knowledge and information to both ends of the partnership. We accomplished that from day one. Our goal has always been to be the leading publication for the medical device manufacturing industry. We’ve made steady progress. Last year, before our 10th anniversary, we became the largest magazine by ad pages, which I’m very proud of.
What has been the biggest surprise in the last 10 years?
I’m still amazed that there are still so many people in the medical device industry who don’t understand the difference between outsourcing and offshoring. We’ve spent a lot of time over the last 10 years educating medtech professionals about how they differ. While they overlap from time to time, they’re certainly not interchangeable. Another surprise has been the number of blockbuster mergers we’ve seen between outsourcing providers. We’ve watched as companies have actively pursued the development of true full-service models, building on their core competencies and expanding into new areas of product development. It has been interesting to watch the outsourcing sector grow and change. And even when the medtech sector has hit a bit of a slump, I’m always impressed by how supplier partners position themselves as problem solvers for OEM clients.
How would you characterize the last 10 years of the outsourcing market and how they’ve impacted MPO?
For the most part, the last 10 years have been very consistent—but never dull. The outsourcing sector continues to grow along with the gains in the medical device market. We’ve grown along with the outsourcing market, staying on top of the issues important to medtech manufacturing experts, to meet the market’s need for useful information, news, education and networking. We’ve had a very loyal following of readers and advertisers, and as their needs have changed, we’ve also changed to meet, and hopefully exceed, their expectations. We’ve kept that personal touch, which I think is important.
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When I became part of the MPO team nearly seven years ago, I was in the unique position of having already been in the medical technology industry and knew the magazine as a reader from day one. Joining MPO was a great opportunity to be part of a relatively new entity and to help shape its direction. The magazine may not be new anymore, but it’s still plenty of fun, and significant potential remains for continued progress. That’s what makes our corner of the industry so interesting. But whether is was 10 years, seven years or seven minutes ago, the most important factor in our success—outside of our dedicated readership and advertisers—hasn’t been one event, person or trend, but remains a very talented core of editorial, sales, production, art, circulation and online professionals. My continued thanks and appreciation—for everything.
OK, now back to the news and the next 10 years.