Freudenberg and Helix Get Half of VistaMed

vistamed-facility

VistaMed's facility in Carrick-on-Shannon fabricates medical tubing and components for devices such as catheters.

The Freudenberg Group (Weinheim, Germany) and its affiliate Helix Medical Europe (Kaiserslautern, Germany) have acquired a 50% share of VistaMed Ltd. (Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland), a manufacturer of medical device components. A year ago, Freudenberg established its European headquarters for medical technology in Kaiserslautern. With this acquisition, the company is continuing its expansion into the medical device industry.Established in 1997 and employing 85 people, VistaMed has two production facilities in Ireland that manufacture complex medical tubing systems and precision medical components under cleanroom conditions. Among its products are components for catheters used in minimally invasive surgical procedures and endoscopic components."This technological alliance with VistaMed provides greater opportunities for both companies to develop and manufacture a broader range of innovative products and services for global customers," remarks Jorg Schneewind, president and CEO of Helix Medical LLC.The VistaMed acquisition underscores Freudenberg's commitment to the medical device manufacturing industry, which started in 2004 with the acquisition of Jenline Industries, a U.S. manufacturer of liquid silicone rubber products. Then in 2006, the Group purchased Helix Medical (Carpinteria, CA), followed by APEC in 2008. VistaMed's management will continue to run the company.