Spain’s Oiarso-Bexen Adds Cleanroom in China

Spanish disposable surgical equipment manufacturer Oiarso-Bexen is expanding its capacity and introducing new products to enable it to expand its global market reach.

This year the Basque country plastics processor, whose products include catheters, bags and infusion devices, plans to invest in the installation of new machinery designed to turn out more value added items at its main Hernani plant.

At its other national plant in Alegia also in Guipuzkoa region, Oiarso-Bexen, part of the large Spanish umbrella cooperative business group Mondragon, aims to turn out diverse items, previously outsourced to Sutargi, a firm employing disabled workers. Alegia expects to employ up to 30 extra workers.

In recent years the cooperative business, with two plants in northern Spain and a third in Kunshan, China, has been adapting its products to suit different international markets. This year it plans to develop and launch five new items being gradually introduced into its overall portfolio.

As part of a longer term strategy of increasing its geographical spread, Oiarso-Bexen is targeting particular markets in Scandinavia, the Benelux countries of Europe and Argentina. This year, it intends to increase its overall export sales from around 25% to 35% of its total business.

In Spain, the hospital equipment manufacturer has products in most public and some private hospitals, but it now aims to intensify its presence in the latter area. Oiarso-Bexen plans to raise its market share in some product areas such as catheters and infusers.

Three years ago, the Basque company launched its Chinese subsidiary Oiarso Medikal Kunshan (OMK) with a 5,000m2 production plant and has a 40-strong workforce. It is likely to expand further, according to the company.

Last year, the Chinese business installed a second clean room facility in a joint deal with the another Spanish surgical products group Cardiva Integral Solutions of Malaga. Cardiva, a maker of surgical clothing and drapes, was keen to manufacture hospital products including surgical drapes and took a 50% stake in the operation.

Oiarso-Bexen expects these moves will generate new growth of around 15% during the current year.

Source : European Plastics News