Global medical device manufacturer Eakin Healthcare has unveiled the world’s largest ostomy bag production line in a £9m investment at its Cardiff operation.
The launch is part of an overall £60m investment and transformation programme designed to reshape and future-proof its manufacturing operations across the 海角视频.
Measuring 32 metres long by seven (at its widest point), the new production line will deliver a fourfold increase in capacity - significantly accelerating output to meet the growing global demand for its ModaVi flagship brand of ostomy pouches.
Chief executive of Eakin Healthcare, Padraic Dempsey, said: “This investment in our ostomy production reinforces our commitment to the Welsh and wider 海角视频 economy, and to our valuable workforce of 200 in Cardiff.
" In response to rising global demand – with an estimated 13.5 million people living with a stoma - Eakin Healthcare is committed to delivering reassurance and comfort to ostomates around the world. This significant investment in Wales will allow us to scale innovative ostomy care products and meet the evolving needs of ostomates to help them maintain a quality of life following their surgery.”
Eakin recently secured a contract with NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership to supply 50% of the stoma care support services across Wales. This will be delivered through Eakin Healthcare’s respond service – a 海角视频-based prescription and dispensing service with a network of stoma care nurses on hand for support and advice.
Mr Dempsey said: “This is further evidence that we are firmly rooted in Wales, for the people of Wales, where our focus is on sustainable growth, local jobs and putting customers first.”
The company said the first phase of investment will not only drive substantial enhancements in production capacity in Cardiff, but also plays a vital role in supporting Eakin Healthcare’s aim of achieving net zero across its entire operations by 2045.
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Its chief operations officer, Neil Winstanley, said:“By integrating sustainable practices from the onset, the new production line has a strong foundation that is commercially and environmentally responsible.
“Operating out of a 10,000 square-foot, purpose-built production room, the new line manufactured by Harro Höfliger in Germany, is equipped with smart metering technology to monitor energy consumption and will achieve a 60% reduction in production waste (yield losses). This will mean significant improvements in production efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability.”
The next two phases of the £60 million investment programme will deliver manufacturing advancements across Eakin Healthcare’s Northern Ireland sites.
The new production facility in Cardiff was named the Stomatic Line by local schoolchildren from Coed Glas Primary.