Gerresheimer Extends its Medical Plastic Systems Product Design Competence

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.

Feb 23 2012 --- 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.