Originally Published MPMN September 2005

Regional Focus

Something is in the Water for Medical Manufacturers

New Hampshire has long been known for its bodies of water, earning it the nickname "Mother of Rivers." It was the abundance of water that led to the building of hydropowered mills and factories in the late 1800s. The textile mills along the rivers eventually gave way to firms specializing in electronics, metal fabrication, and plastics.

Many of these companies are primarily focused on medical manufacturing. According to the 2003 New Hampshire Biotech and Bioscience Guide, the medical device industry represents 34% of the total biotechnology and bioscience industry within the state. Located mostly in the southern portion of New Hampshire, these medical manufacturers and suppliers offer everything from molding to motors.

The town of Jaffrey is particularly hopping with medical device activity. For a city that has fewer than 6000 residents, major contract manufacturers such as Teleflex Medical OEM (www.teleflexmedicaloem.com), Millipore, and Medefab (www.medefab.com) are all located in the area. Brandon Gray, Jaffrey’s economic development director, says that having medical manufacturers in town is a real boost for the city’s workers. "These firms are able to offer more than the average retail job ever could," he says.

To their credit, the companies appreciate the New Hampshirites just as much. Bob St. John, general manager at New England Catheter Corp. (Lisbon, NH; www. newenglandcatheter.com), says, "Our workers are fiercely proud—they take ownership of projects and are committed to excellence." Ed Boarini, vice president of R&D for OEM products at Teleflex Medical OEM, adds, "In many cases we’re able to tap into local resources for some of our technical talent. The lifestyle that the area offers is very attractive to people."

Copyright ©2005 Medical Product Manufacturing News