Delivering lean manufacturing and planning in implantable medical devices

Eurosilicone, a recently acquired subsidiary of US healthcare company MediCor Ltd, is an internationally acclaimed pioneer in aesthetics and a world leader in Plastic Surgery Technology and Surgical Practice Marketing.

MediCor now has control of an estimated 30% of the world (ex-US) market for breast implants and is the world’s number three global breast implant manufacturer. The world market for breast implants is growing at a rate of 20% per annum and MediCor is pursuing a strategy of organic growth in this market. Eurosilicone would have to reliably deliver the increasing volume and service required by MediCor’s global customers in order to support this growth strategy. In addition to supporting this organic growth, Eurosilicone would also supply a new direct channel model in a key European market. This direct channel would present new service challenges to the organisation.

To help Eurosilicone support the strategy of their parent company, management consultants, WCI, were engaged in a nine month programme to implement lean manufacturing as well as new, simple and effective planning processes. WCI developed a programme with Eurosilicone to ensure that they continue to be pioneers in the aesthetic industry; focusing on its core business of creating innovative products.

Completed in July 2006, the programme has transformed Eurosilicone from “a small company into a world class manufacturing company” commented Patrick O’Leary, Président Directeur Général, Eurosilicone. This transformation has been evident in capacity improvements of 100%, yield improvements of 40%, reductions in backorders of 66% and reductions in lead time of 20%.

Following the success of this project; WCI Consulting Limited won two awards at the MCA Management Awards 2007: Best Private Sector Project and Operational Performance.

To read the case study in full, please click on the pdf link below.

Eurosilicone Response Grande Vitesse

If you would like further information please contact Kate Adams at kate.adams@wcigroup.com or +44 (0) 2392 245219