The Medica/CompaMed trade fair is one of the largest exhibitions of medical devices, healthtech, and wellness products in the world. In addition to the finished device OEMs, a significant number of supply chain partners that support those companies also exhibit at the event. Combined, visitors can typically find anything they are seeking, from drug delivery innovations to hospital beds to component fabrication service providers. Regardless of where someone is in the care chain, the event should prove useful to all.

Unfortunately, because so many companies are showcasing their products and capabilities at the event, it’s nearly impossible to meet with every organization that might add value. Therefore, MPO has spoken with several exhibitors who are prepared and capable of serving medical device manufacturers looking for new or specialized partners to address the challenges they are currently facing or expect to face on future projects. The following “From the Booth” feature with Mike Anderson, vice president of strategy at ATL, will offer insights on whether you are the right fit to collaborate.

Sean Fenske: What technology or service are you emphasizing at Medica/CompaMed this year?

Mike Anderson: We’re showcasing our capabilities and expertise in advanced energies, specifically pulsed field ablation in electrophysiology. We’ll also be talking about our next-generation distal end camera assembly, proximal end cable assembly, and camera control unit that can be used within camera-based imaging.

Fenske: What’s the most common challenge customers inquire about and how do you address it?

Anderson: The most common question from our global customer base is tied to the U.S. tariffs. ATL addresses these challenges by working with customers to determine which of our regional manufacturing sites best meets their needs.

The second most common question is the cost associated with manufacturing complete medical devices. Regardless of the region for ATL manufacturing, we work to implement full automation and semi-automation in support of enabling our customers’ cost competitiveness in the marketplace.

Fenske: If you could give one piece of advice to companies seeking a manufacturing partner before they make a decision, what would it be?

Anderson: Validate their claims to ensure several factors:

Do they have the quality and regulatory certifications to support your specific device needs?

• Does their engineering department have the ability to support product design, design for manufacturability, process development, and all other critical aspects of the front-end engineering process?
• Does the partner have the ability to support your needs during the three critical phases of the manufacturing process, specifically launch, ramp, and steady-state production?

Fenske: What are the forces driving medical device manufacturers to seek your technology/services over doing it in-house?

Anderson: Our medical segment-specific expertise is a primary reason. ATL has a 30-plus year history of success as a vertically-integrated manufacturing company in energy-based medical device design, development, and manufacturing, including but not limited to cardiovascular, electrosurgical, electrophysiology, and camera-based imaging.

Fenske: In what ways is your company able to aid in getting a product (project) to market faster?

Anderson: ATL has created and maintains more than 90 technical files, which differentiates us from most CDMOs that have never supported technical file creation. This level of engagement and comprehension enables ATL’s program management teams to provide guidance and direction that decreases development time and gets products to market quickly.

ATL is located at Medica/CompaMed in Hall 8B, Booth/Stand L25.