The Benefits of Working with a UK Medical Device CMO
posted 15th June 2021
As demand for manufacturing in the UK surges across multiple industries, what are the benefits to partnering with a UK manufacturer for your medical device manufacturing?
Manufacturing in the UK is seeing a resurgence with many small to medium sized enterprises turning their focus on bringing manufacturing operations back to the UK, according the findings published by the Manufacturing Advisory Service. The research found that more than a quarter of the businesses questioned said that higher costs associated with overseas production were the principal reason, but 20% cited improving quality as the driver, while 18% were looking to reduce lead times.
The uncertainty around Brexit and potentially volatile transport costs, support of local businesses providing shorter lead times, a desire for better control of quality and diminishing profits from foreign manufacturing operations all seem to be factors driving this change but what are the benefits of using a UK based CMO / partner for the manufacturing of your medical devices?
Working with a UK manufacturer not least means there's no need to travel to the other side of the world every time you need to meet or have a product issue making them simply easier to work with, but there are many additional benefits to working with UK partners for your contract manufacturing:
High Level of Control over Quality
All stakeholders within a business sleep better at night when they have confidence that their products are being made consistently with strict quality control measures. In the highly regulated medical device industry there are regulatory requirements in place to ensure all suppliers manufacture to an approved standard, but having a local manufacturer also makes it quicker and easier to visit during production and for supplier audits to make sure everything is running smoothly. This helps to develop a better understanding of your manufacturing process.
As a contract manufacturer to the medical device industry, Mi3 is ideally positioned to provide detailed regulatory support hand in hand with the manufacture of your device if required, ensuring any amendments required in the ever changing regulatory environment can be tracked and easily implemented.
Less Supply Chain Risk and Smaller MOQ's
Working with manufacturers in the UK will result in fewer risks associated with their supply chain as they don't need to import finished goods and hence remove much of the headache associated with Brexit-related uncertainty and changes in the strength of the pound. This is especially true for manufacturers who themselves choose to work with suppliers based in the United Kingdom, as Mi3 does wherever possible.
Using a local manufacturer also means you may benefit from smaller minimum order quantities (MOQ's) and not have to commit to large order quantities in order to fill containers or trucks for shipping. This provides you the flexibility to place small orders more regularly and increased cash flow.
Reduced Transportation Costs & Carbon Footprint
A local, UK based manufacturer will not only give you reduced supply chain risks and smaller MOQ's but also shorter transport routes - meaning you save money on shipping costs. A greater percentage of your cost price will go on the manufacturing of the product and savings can in turn be channeled to continually improving the quality of the finished goods.
Companies that choose to locate their manufacturing operations in the UK also get the opportunity to control their environmental footprint making it possible for them to further decrease the environmental impact and reduce supply chain costs for their customers.
Reduced lead / delivery times
By the same token, product spending less time being transported to you results in shorter leads times from order to delivery.
For medical device companies where regulatory changes can impact on product maintenance and changes this can also mean the phases of change control becoming more streamlined. You can communicate better and more easily on important topics, receive more regular project updates and prototypes as soon as the next day after manufacture.
Greater Control over Communication
Communication is vital in any business relationship and the strength of a relationship often comes down to how easily you can communicate with your partners. Being able to easily meet in person without the need for a flight or long journey and having clear two way communications with a supplier who understands your domestic market are key benefits to working alongside a UK manufacturer.
Support of the UK Economy
UK businesses that work with other UK businesses boost the UK economy and create employment. Something that will be essential in the much anticipated and fast approaching post-COVID world. However, this applies not just to big businesses. Turnover from SME's accounts for a whopping 99.5% of all businesses currently operating in the UK and SME's account for 60% of all private sector employment.
'Made in the UK' kudos
The UK is long regarded as a quality supplier. Products marketed as 'Made in the UK' or 'Made in Great Britain' carry worldwide prestige. Products are likely to sell better, both in the domestic UK market but also in foreign markets if they're made in the UK with most people will to pay extra for British made products.
Mi3 are expert contract manufacturers of medical devices. Purpose built class 7 and class 8 cleanrooms are designed for precision injection moulding, extrusion, assembly and packaging of medical devices, IVD's and other medical and scientific products.
Our QMS and medical device manufacturing processes are certified and audited to ISO 13485:2016 via the Medical Device Single Audit Programme (MDSAP) to provide maximum possible assurance of repeatable quality, and we continuously strive to improve these processes in line with regulatory compliance updates.
Mi3 Limited are at Shadsworth Business Park, Nuttalls Way, Blackburn, Lancashire BB1 2QJ.
+44 (0)1254 678 398
enquiries@mi-3.co.uk