Medical Devices

Western Massachusetts is home to more than 300 medical device companies who are positioned to thrive through support from world-class universities, research-driven hospitals and a flux of high-precision manufacturing facilities.

A 2004 Milkin Institute study of America's health care economy reported that New England has the nation's highest concentration of medical device and supply manufacturing employment. The Western Massachusetts-Hartford Connecticut region, known as the Knowledge Corridor, has the second greatest medical device employment of these five states, with more than 5,200 people working in the industry.

The area's dense concentration of precision manufacturers for aerospace and defense is shifting focus into medical devices and similar industries. It is a natural transition for these companies and their workforce, who already have the wealth of experience, technology and specific skills required for medical device assembly and injection molding. Scores of local companies, who have transitioned into the industry this way, contributed to the state's $2.6 billion in exported medical devices during 2006, 10.5 percent of the state's total exports.

There are several specialized programs enhancing the medical device industry and generating its skilled workforce. Among these is one of the largest academic centers for Polymer research in the world, the Polymer Science and Engineering Department of the University of Massachusetts (UMASS).

Both UMASS and Western New England College have prestigious engineering schools, while the area's universities collectively offer degree programs in biotechnology, precision manufacturing, materials science and biological science.

Baystate Health, a nationally-recognized biomedical research hospital, also contributes to the region's medical industry niche through a host of clinical trial, research and biotechnology programs.

Medical Device Companies of Western Massachusetts*

Apex Resource Technologies is a precision design and development company offering "art to part" capabilities and a contract molding facility.

A-T Surgical Manufacturing is one of America's oldest independent manufacturers of quality orthopedic soft good products and supports.

Accelent / Medsource offers outsourcing solutions to the medical device market including design, engineering, precision component production, finished goods, assembly and complete supply chain management.

Cirtec Medical is a contract engineering and manufacturing firm specializing in active implantable medical devices.

Covidien manufactures and markets a broad range of wound care, needle and syringes, urological care, incontinence care, sharps disposal and nursing care products.

Dielectrics Inc. is a specialist in the design, development and fabrication of specialty OEM medical products and components using flexible thermoplastic films and film/fabric laminates.

FloDesign is a contract engineering corporation with a scientific approach to product development, research, computer modeling and analysis, patent protection and engineering consultation.

Instrument Technology Inc. specializes in the design, development, and manufacture of high quality Borescopes, Fiberscopes and Videoscopes for inspection or observation into hostile environments or inaccessible areas.

Marox Medical provides precision machining and assembly of orthopedic implants and instruments.

Microtest Laboratories is a biotech, pharmaceutical and medical device testing facility as well as a leader in combination product testing.

National Nonwovens produces a multitude of textiles including premium wound-care products, effective multi-purpose after-life products and diverse specialty applications.

Superbrush is a manufacturing company that supplies the medical industry with multi-purpose, swabs, applicators, foams and brushes specially designed for use in chemical and drug application, cell collection, processing, probing and adhesive applications, as well as endoscope cleaning.

Vaupell is a contract manufacturing firm for medical devices which also provides precision fixturing and gauging.

*This lists represents a sampling of the region's medical device companies

Industry Resources

Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council seeks to create a positive environment and united voice for the Massachusetts Medical Device Industry while implementing collaborative initiatives to make Massachusetts the medical device research, development and manufacturing capital of the world.

Massachusetts Biotechnology Council is a not-for-profit organization that provides services and support for the Massachusetts biotechnology industry.

Massachusetts Biotechnology Initiatives is an independent, tax-exempt corporation created to support the growth and expansion of biotechnology and medical device companies throughout the region, enhancing the status of Massachusetts as a world leader in the medical industry.

The Bio Economic Technology Alliance is an organization created to foster the growth and development of the bioscience and bioengineering cluster of Western Massachusetts.