| Auto Injectors Help to Revolutionize the Medical Industry | ||||
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Issued by: Metro (Stockholm, Sweden) Issued on: 2008/04/08 The SHL Group is the world’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of auto injectors, but it’s certainly not your typical Scandinavian company. Although the company employs a number of Swedish nationals, the majority of the SHL Group’s manufacturing takes place in Asia, where the company was recently recognized as one of the “Best Foreign Firms” in Taiwan. Not many people like injections, but for some patients taking them is a matter of basic survival. A clear trend around the world today is to encase syringes in a plastic shell with internal mechanics to help deliver the injection automatically – in the medical device industry this is commonly referred to as an auto injector. These types of devices make injections easier and ensure that the right dosage is given every time. Furthermore, the needle is not visible to the patient, helping those who suffer from needle phobia to overcome their fears. Basically speaking, an auto injector makes taking injections simple, safe and easy. Quietly, the SHL Group has become the world’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of auto injectors. The company is led by Swedish founder and CEO Roger Samuelsson. Working closely with him is Frank Isaksson, General Manager (GM) in Taiwan, one of the key staff at the company since the early days. The SHL Group has a broad range of pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers. “Many of the largest companies in Europe, the USA and Japan are already customers, such as Pfizer and Amgen. A significant number of contracts are being signed this year. We are excited about the growth we see in our field”, says GM Frank Isaksson, who earned a Masters degree in Engineering from Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden. Medical Device Technology Growth The SHL Group’s largest production facility and head office is located in Taoyuan, just south of Taipei, Taiwan. Eight-hundred staff in Taiwan are involved with everything from product concept development to full-scale mass production. Interestingly, the company also produces most of their own automated testing and assembly equipment. Outsourcing is not encouraged in the company, so the vast majority of capabilities and processes are conducted in-house. Unlike their competitors in the medical device industry, they even manufacture their own molding tools and springs. One of the key goals for the organization is to continue the push towards becoming more vertically integrated in the value chain for drug manufacturers. The company was founded by the entrepreneur and engineer Roger Samuelsson. He came to Taiwan during the 1980’s, when he started exporting plastic and electronic components to Sweden during the “Made in Taiwan” era. After a number of years, Mr. Samuelsson founded the SHL Group in 1989 and began to focus on medical-related products. In 1995, Roger signed a contract with Pfizer to produce the Peninject 2.25 auto injector. Shortly afterwards, Frank Isaksson joined the organization. “I was working with plastic materials and went to Taiwan to study Chinese. My plan was to work with product development and production and the rest is history”, says Frank Isaksson. Today the company has five facilities in Taiwan, two in China and a sixth plant currently in the planning and development stage in Taiwan. Quick Facts - The SHL Group has 1,300 employees worldwide. The head office is located in Taoyuan, just south of Taipei, Taiwan. The company also has design offices in Stockholm, Nacka Strand, Sweden and Florham Park, New Jersey, USA. - In addition to drug delivery devices, they also manufacture pressure care mattress systems, hospital beds, medical soft goods, disposable catheters and a broad range of products that require high value production and quality. - The SHL Group is also manufactures specialist products, like a brain surgery device for the Swedish medical technology company ELEKTA. Recommendations from GM Frank Isaksson: What you should keep in mind while doing business in Taiwan and China? - Be patient and aware that things might need more time than planned. - Surround yourself with colleagues experienced in the areas you’re not. - Make sure you have customers. - Don’t believe everything you read or hear—go and see for yourself what the real situation is. - Get input from others involved in plans that affect them. You don’t need to please everyone, but you should make an effort to listen to others before you make your own decision. - Don’t spend too much time locked up in a nice office. Get out there and get your hands dirty. - Be humble. * The content of this piece is a translation of a Swedish-language article published in the newspaper Metro. Editorial modifications have been made to the English version.
About SHL SHL is the world’s largest privately-owned designer, developer and manufacturer of advanced drug delivery devices. We have over 1,500 staff globally (1000 staff in Taiwan), with our primary design centers located in the USA and Sweden and manufacturing centers located in Asia. SHL supplies auto injectors, pen injectors and inhaler systems to global pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Significant investment in R&D has enhanced our broad pipeline of “next generation” drug delivery systems. These innovative devices include a range of disposable and reusable injectors with fixed or variable dosing, enhanced precision and the ability to accommodate high viscosities. Our organization consists of three distinct group companies:
SHL Medical SHL Healthcare SHL Technologies For additional information visit www.shl-group.com or contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it SHL Media ContactSteven R. Kaufman Marketing Director +886 932 111 460 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |