Gerresheimer extends its medical plastic systems product design competence

Regensburg/Muenster, February 22, 2012 - On February 1, 2012, the Gerresheimer Group took over item GmbH, medical device design, Muenster/Germany. The company will continue to operate as a legally independent subsidiary under the name of Gerresheimer item GmbH. This acquisition will augment the pharmaceutical and medical product design and development competence of Gerresheimer AG’s Medical Plastic Systems Division.

As a full service provider, Gerresheimer’s Medical Plastic Systems Division covers all stages of the development and production chain. “We apply our concept of combining product development and manufacturing competencies at an early stage of the value chain,“ explained Andreas Schütte, member of the Gerresheimer AG Management Board responsible for the Plastic Systems Division. “We aim to be involved in customer projects right from the initial product concept onwards.”

At the beginning of 2011 Gerresheimer established the Medical Innovation Group, a team of specialists with interdisciplinary product development design and engineering competencies. The acquisition of item medical device design provides Gerresheimer with a subsidiary that has more than 10 years of experience in strategic product development and the design of pharmaceutical and medical products. The Medical Innovation Group and item GmbH are being merged into the brand new company, Gerresheimer item GmbH. A team of around 20 designers and product developers work there. The subsidiary has been established as an independent entity.

Gerresheimer item GmbH will be managed by item GmbH’s former Managing Director Peter Wallrabe. He emphasized the benefits of the newly founded company for customers: “The new company unites item medical device design’s strengths in product design and development with Gerresheimer Medical Plastic Systems‘ bundled manufacturing expertise. Our customers profit from this combination. Design for manufacturing now commences in the product development stage, which shortens development time, reduces development costs and mitigates project risk because there is no longer any need for post-design, plastic-oriented optimization.”

Gerresheimer item GmbH’s portfolio of services extends from concept development to production-ready product. It includes advice and support in the early project phases, assistance in design development, insurance of freedom to operate, plus engineering, prototyping, clinical study coordination and clinic sample production.

Services provided by Gerresheimer item GmbH

Innovation management - market research and user surveys
IP management - technology landscapes and FTO analyses
Design - from design strategy to usability design
Development - laboratory-tested product functions
Series design - CAD simulations, production and assembly specifications
Prototyping - rapid prototyping, rapid tooling and design verification
Pre-series production - small series and clinic sample production
Quality management - specification, risk analysis, design control
Support - basic development, manufacturer search, electronic design

About Gerresheimer
Gerresheimer is an internationally leading manufacturer of high-quality specialty products made of glass and plastic for the global pharma and healthcare industry. Our comprehensive portfolio of products extends from pharmaceutical vials to complex drug delivery systems such as syringe systems, insulin pens and inhalers for safe medication dosage and application. Together with our partners, we develop solutions which set standards and have role model status in their respective market sectors.

Our Group has production operations at 45 sites in Europe, North and South America and Asia. It realizes sales of around one billion euros and has 10.000 employees. We use first-rate technologies, convincing innovations and targeted investments to systematically consolidate our strong market position.

Contact
Marion Stolzenwald
Gerresheimer AG
Benrather Straße 18-20
40213 Düsseldorf
Phone +49 211 6181-246
Fax +49 211 6181-28246 
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Karin Strasser
Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH
Bischof-von-Henle-Straße 2b
93051 Regensburg
Phone +49 941 7058140
Fax +49 941 7058146
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