Originally Published MPMN January/February 2009

MD&M WEST: FIRST-TIME EXHIBITORS

Components Contractor Capitalizes on Medical Device Boom

Bob Michaels

Known as Astro Model Development Corp. for the better part of 30 years, Astro Manufacturing & Design Corp. (Eastlake, OH) has done more than change its name. It has evolved from a four-person operation in 1977 to include five divisions, one of which is dedicated to the manufacture of Class III implantable medical devices. No longer a modest job shop for prototype and production parts, the supplier employs 300 people and generates more than $40 million in annual sales.

“Although Astro had produced medical system parts since its inception, in 1998 it created a medical devices division because of customer demand for titanium orthopedic implantable devices,” explains senior account executive Brett Crawford. To service that market, the manufacturer supplies components to major orthopedics companies.

But demand for titanium implants is not the only reason why Astro has grown exponentially. “During the past decade,” notes Crawford, “the greater Cleveland area has become a hotbed of growth in the medical and biomedical industries, thanks to an outstanding medical community anchored by the Cleveland Clinic and the university hospital system.” Astro’s participation in that boom has led to expanded involvement with healthcare equipment manufacturers.

While the company has shrunk its prototyping services, prototype production has enabled the company to demonstrate its other capabilities to new customers.

“It’s a door opener,” says Astro’s CEO Mike Watts Jr.

Working with plastics and metals, the company offers a range of manufacturing services, from design engineering, automation, CNC machining, and EDM to electrical cable and harness production, paintwork (including powder coating), and urethane molding. In its main plant, the company produces parts, subassemblies, and complete components for diagnostic medical imaging systems, health-monitoring kiosks, and surgical training simulators.

Visitors at MD&M West will be able to view health-monitoring kiosks designed and produced by Astro, which measure blood pressure, weight, body mass, pulse, and blood oxygen in a retail environment. Visitors will also be offered demonstrations of the company’s surgical simulation equipment.

www.astromfg.com
Booth #838

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