Improving the Lives of Patients

Date: 30.03.20
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions officially launched Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical in March 2019, with a focus on further establishing itself as a trusted partner to customers in the healthcare and medical industry.
IN SHORT
  • Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical was formed to better serve customers to produce innovative healthcare solutions that improve patients' lives.
  • It aids in getting products to market faster, assisting in design, rapid prototyping and validation, and afterwards providing reliable high-quality supply.
  • "Quality by design; not by inspection" is a key concept and involves working closely with customers to reduce points of potential failure.
  • Trelleborg is involved with the latest silicone developments, such as Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) integration and multi-component LSR injection molding

ANDREW GAILLARD, GLOBAL SEGMENT DIRECTOR, HEALTHCARE & MEDICAL at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, spoke with in the groove to provide insight into the formation of Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical, highlight some of the operation’s unique capabilities and outline what he expects to accomplish going forward.

ITG: Why was Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical created? 

AG: The formation of Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical enables us to better serve our customers in achieving their missions to develop and produce innovative healthcare solutions that improve patients’ lives. We accomplish this by helping customers get new products to market faster, which involves assisting with design, rapid prototyping and validation. Once the application is in the market, we
provide a reliable, high quality product supply.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical also brings a diverse yet interrelated set of capabilities to our customers through our different facilities, thus consolidating their supplier network and streamlining the procurement process. 

For the customer, this means one quality system, one point of contact for purchasing, and one trusted partner.

ITG: How have you established Trelleborg in the Healthcare & Medical market place? What were the main challenges in accomplishing this? 

AG: Over the last few years, we have focused on building our healthcare capabilities, both organically and through acquisition. Through this process, we have grown to a size at which it makes sense to create a dedicated business focused solely on the healthcare and medical market. 

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical acts as an extension of our customers’ teams to develop innovative solutions and tailor them to their specific needs. This consultative approach has helped us form strong partnerships with our existing customers, while displaying to the larger market how our approach can fulfill their needs.

The main challenge we’ve experienced is the lack of knowledge of Trelleborg as a significant supplier to the healthcare and medical industry. By leveraging the brands we’ve acquired and building on their existing relationships and reputations, we’ve now established Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical as a key player.

 


Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical also brings a diverse yet interrelated set of capabilities to our customers through our different facilities, thus consolidating their supplier network and streamlining the procurement process. 

For the customer, this means one quality system, one point of contact for purchasing, and one trusted partner.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical also brings a diverse yet interrelated set of capabilities to our customers through our different facilities, thus consolidating their supplier network and streamlining the procurement process. 

For the customer, this means one quality system, one point of contact for purchasing, and one trusted partner.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical also brings a diverse yet interrelated set of capabilities to our customers through our different facilities, thus consolidating their supplier network and streamlining the procurement process. 

For the customer, this means one quality system, one point of contact for purchasing, and one trusted partner.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical also brings a diverse yet interrelated set of capabilities to our customers through our different facilities, thus consolidating their supplier network and streamlining the procurement process. 

For the customer, this means one quality system, one point of contact for purchasing, and one trusted partner.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical also brings a diverse yet interrelated set of capabilities to our customers through our different facilities, thus consolidating their supplier network and streamlining the procurement process. 

For the customer, this means one quality system, one point of contact for purchasing, and one trusted partner.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical also brings a diverse yet interrelated set of capabilities to our customers through our different facilities, thus consolidating their supplier network and streamlining the procurement process. 

For the customer, this means one quality system, one point of contact for purchasing, and one trusted partner.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical also brings a diverse yet interrelated set of capabilities to our customers through our different facilities, thus consolidating their supplier network and streamlining the procurement process. 

For the customer, this means one quality system, one point of contact for purchasing, and one trusted partner.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical also brings a diverse yet interrelated set of capabilities to our customers through our different facilities, thus consolidating their supplier network and streamlining the procurement process. 

For the customer, this means one quality system, one point of contact for purchasing, and one trusted partner.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical also brings a diverse yet interrelated set of capabilities to our customers through our different facilities, thus consolidating their supplier network and streamlining the procurement process. 

For the customer, this means one quality system, one point of contact for purchasing, and one trusted partner.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical also brings a diverse yet interrelated set of capabilities to our customers through our different facilities, thus consolidating their supplier network and streamlining the procurement process. 

For the customer, this means one quality system, one point of contact for purchasing, and one trusted partner.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical also brings a diverse yet interrelated set of capabilities to our customers through our different facilities, thus consolidating their supplier network and streamlining the procurement process. 

For the customer, this means one quality system, one point of contact for purchasing, and one trusted partner.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical also brings a diverse yet interrelated set of capabilities to our customers through our different facilities, thus consolidating their supplier network and streamlining the procurement process. 

For the customer, this means one quality system, one point of contact for purchasing, and one trusted partner.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical also brings a diverse yet interrelated set of capabilities to our customers through our different facilities, thus consolidating their supplier network and streamlining the procurement process. 

For the customer, this means one quality system, one point of contact for purchasing, and one trusted partner.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical also brings a diverse yet interrelated set of capabilities to our customers through our different facilities, thus consolidating their supplier network and streamlining the procurement process. 

For the customer, this means one quality system, one point of contact for purchasing, and one trusted partner.

Trelleborg Partners in All Stages of Development

From concept to serial production with a focus on quality and total cost reduction
… as an extension of our customers project teams

“We partner with customers at every stage of development. Becoming involved early in the innovation process enables us to optimize applications for market.” - ANDREW GAILLARD

ITG: What differentiates Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical from the rest of the market?

AG: Our customers tell us that they want their suppliers to be experts, on whom their project teams can rely to help develop the best possible solutions. Trelleborg provides customers with access to specialists in design, manufacturing, quality, engineering, and materials. Specific to the healthcare and medical industry, Trelleborg has expertise in silicone extrusion and sheeting, thermoplastics, and silicone molding, including multi-component LSR technology and drug-eluting devices.

We partner with customers at every stage of development. Becoming involved early in the innovation process enables us to optimize applications for market. As an example, we did this recently for one US medical device customer.By understanding the customer’s global launch plans and projected volumes, we were able to adjust the customer’s design ideas to make the product more  manufacturable.

After assisting the customer through the various development stages, including clinical trials and regulatory approvals, now, roughly five years later, Trelleborg leverages automation to produce tens of millions of parts for the customer’s global launch.

“By leveraging the brands we’ve acquired and building on their existing relationships and reputations, we’ve now established Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical as a key player.”- ANDREW GAILLARD

ITG: You mentioned engineering expertise as a strength. What are some examples of this?

AG: Trelleborg's patented GeoTransTM extrusion capability is a good illustration of this. The technique enables us to create variations in the geometry of a medical silicone “tube” while we extrude it. Traditionally, two tubes are extruded in separate segments and molded together. However, we can extrude a single lumen tube into a multi-lumen tube in one step. By eliminating the need for secondary operations, such as overmolding, product reliability and integrity is increased.

Working alongside our customers to design quality into how we manufacture a part is a real strength. This eliminates the need to do quality inspections, reduces process steps in manufacturing, saves time and perhaps most importantly, decreases sources of risk by removing points of potential failure. We call this “quality by design; not inspection”.

Forming the Healthcare & Medical Business Unit

2011 - Trelleborg acquires SilcoTech 
Trelleborg decides to enter the Life Sciences market

2016 - Trelleborg acquires Specialty Silicone Fabricators
Trelleborg adds medical device capabilities aligned with current business

January 2019 - Trelleborg acquires Sil-Pro
Expanded capabilities allow for broader customer partnerships

March 2019 - Trelleborg Heathcare & Medical
Focused business to meet the needs of Healthcare & Medical customers

2020 - 2020
First full-scale production of a drug/ device combo product planned

Future - Future
Trelleborg will build on customer partnerships

 

 

ITG: “Quality by design; not by inspection.” Can you explain this further?

AG: The GeoTransTM technology I mentioned previously is one great example. Another, for many of the same reasons, is our multi-component LSR technology, also commonly referred to as 2K, 2C LSR, 2-shot, multi-component injection molding, or co-injection. While multi-component technology has been on the market for years, its capabilities continue to evolve and push the limits of what’s possible.

Again, we work alongside our customer to design a part as a single unit, molded in 2-shots, typically with silicone and some form of thermoplastic. By molding this as a single part, we can eliminate process steps in manufacturing, save time, remove the possibility of incorrect assembly, and thus improve the safety and quality of a component.

ITG: Silicone has been used in medical applications  since the 1950’s. Why is this, and how do you expect this material to impact the medical industry going forward?

AG: Beyond being inert and biocompatible, silicone is incredibly versatile in how it can be processed. This versatility presents manufacturers like Trelleborg with a multitude of ways to solve the application challenges our customers face. Trelleborg has developed and produced silicone tubing, film, and custom-molded components for more than 20 years, and we have developed a deep understanding of how silicone behaves in our manufacturing environments. For these reasons, silicone has become a critical material for device manufacturers when developing new solutions to help patients.

One of the newest developments, which we have discussed previously in In the Groove, is the integration of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) within silicone. Silicone’s favorable porous nature enables drugs to be eluted into the human body at very specific doses over time.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical is at the forefront of recent development in which vulcanized silicone is infused with API through immersion. It is working with its customers to create solutions for wound care, reduction of swelling post-device implantation, and other innovative treatment options. Drug-eluting technology is a promising new development and a major focus of ours moving forward.

ITG: You recently participated in MD&M Minneapolis and COMPAMED. How did show attendees respond to the new Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical operation? What were they most interested in?

AG: This was a very positive experience for the team. Many companies are searching for a partner to provide expertise in manufacturing, engineering and materials. Because we have multi-year relationships with most of the top medical device companies already, they know they can look to us as an extension of their teams. I think what surprised most of our current and prospective customers was how diverse Trelleborg’s offering is. They were enthused to learn of new ways we could partner together.

ITG: What can we expect from Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical in 2020?

AG: In 2019, we concentrated on building a sound foundation for our business. In 2020, we will continue that work and focus on driving alignment to ensure we operate as a single unit for our customers. Another focus will be on leveraging the relationships and reputation we have, to continue to build the business. 2020, is already shaping up to be a good year. I am very excited for the future of Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical and our ability to help our customers achieve their missions and impact patients’ lives.

ITG: Silicone has been used in medical applications  since the 1950’s. Why is this, and how do you expect this material to impact the medical industry going forward?

AG: Beyond being inert and biocompatible, silicone is incredibly versatile in how it can be processed. This versatility presents manufacturers like Trelleborg with a multitude of ways to solve the application challenges our customers face. Trelleborg has developed and produced silicone tubing, film, and custom-molded components for more than 20 years, and we have developed a deep understanding of how silicone behaves in our manufacturing environments. For these reasons, silicone has become a critical material for device manufacturers when developing new solutions to help patients.

One of the newest developments, which we have discussed previously in In the Groove, is the integration of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) within silicone. Silicone’s favorable porous nature enables drugs to be eluted into the human body at very specific doses over time.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical is at the forefront of recent development in which vulcanized silicone is infused with API through immersion. It is working with its customers to create solutions for wound care, reduction of swelling post-device implantation, and other innovative treatment options. Drug-eluting technology is a promising new development and a major focus of ours moving forward.

ITG: You recently participated in MD&M Minneapolis and COMPAMED. How did show attendees respond to the new Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical operation? What were they most interested in?

AG: This was a very positive experience for the team. Many companies are searching for a partner to provide expertise in manufacturing, engineering and materials. Because we have multi-year relationships with most of the top medical device companies already, they know they can look to us as an extension of their teams. I think what surprised most of our current and prospective customers was how diverse Trelleborg’s offering is. They were enthused to learn of new ways we could partner together.

ITG: What can we expect from Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical in 2020?

AG: In 2019, we concentrated on building a sound foundation for our business. In 2020, we will continue that work and focus on driving alignment to ensure we operate as a single unit for our customers. Another focus will be on leveraging the relationships and reputation we have, to continue to build the business. 2020, is already shaping up to be a good year. I am very excited for the future of Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical and our ability to help our customers achieve their missions and impact patients’ lives.

ITG: Silicone has been used in medical applications  since the 1950’s. Why is this, and how do you expect this material to impact the medical industry going forward?

AG: Beyond being inert and biocompatible, silicone is incredibly versatile in how it can be processed. This versatility presents manufacturers like Trelleborg with a multitude of ways to solve the application challenges our customers face. Trelleborg has developed and produced silicone tubing, film, and custom-molded components for more than 20 years, and we have developed a deep understanding of how silicone behaves in our manufacturing environments. For these reasons, silicone has become a critical material for device manufacturers when developing new solutions to help patients.

One of the newest developments, which we have discussed previously in In the Groove, is the integration of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) within silicone. Silicone’s favorable porous nature enables drugs to be eluted into the human body at very specific doses over time.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical is at the forefront of recent development in which vulcanized silicone is infused with API through immersion. It is working with its customers to create solutions for wound care, reduction of swelling post-device implantation, and other innovative treatment options. Drug-eluting technology is a promising new development and a major focus of ours moving forward.

ITG: You recently participated in MD&M Minneapolis and COMPAMED. How did show attendees respond to the new Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical operation? What were they most interested in?

AG: This was a very positive experience for the team. Many companies are searching for a partner to provide expertise in manufacturing, engineering and materials. Because we have multi-year relationships with most of the top medical device companies already, they know they can look to us as an extension of their teams. I think what surprised most of our current and prospective customers was how diverse Trelleborg’s offering is. They were enthused to learn of new ways we could partner together.

ITG: What can we expect from Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical in 2020?

AG: In 2019, we concentrated on building a sound foundation for our business. In 2020, we will continue that work and focus on driving alignment to ensure we operate as a single unit for our customers. Another focus will be on leveraging the relationships and reputation we have, to continue to build the business. 2020, is already shaping up to be a good year. I am very excited for the future of Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical and our ability to help our customers achieve their missions and impact patients’ lives.

ITG: Silicone has been used in medical applications  since the 1950’s. Why is this, and how do you expect this material to impact the medical industry going forward?

AG: Beyond being inert and biocompatible, silicone is incredibly versatile in how it can be processed. This versatility presents manufacturers like Trelleborg with a multitude of ways to solve the application challenges our customers face. Trelleborg has developed and produced silicone tubing, film, and custom-molded components for more than 20 years, and we have developed a deep understanding of how silicone behaves in our manufacturing environments. For these reasons, silicone has become a critical material for device manufacturers when developing new solutions to help patients.

One of the newest developments, which we have discussed previously in In the Groove, is the integration of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) within silicone. Silicone’s favorable porous nature enables drugs to be eluted into the human body at very specific doses over time.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical is at the forefront of recent development in which vulcanized silicone is infused with API through immersion. It is working with its customers to create solutions for wound care, reduction of swelling post-device implantation, and other innovative treatment options. Drug-eluting technology is a promising new development and a major focus of ours moving forward.

ITG: You recently participated in MD&M Minneapolis and COMPAMED. How did show attendees respond to the new Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical operation? What were they most interested in?

AG: This was a very positive experience for the team. Many companies are searching for a partner to provide expertise in manufacturing, engineering and materials. Because we have multi-year relationships with most of the top medical device companies already, they know they can look to us as an extension of their teams. I think what surprised most of our current and prospective customers was how diverse Trelleborg’s offering is. They were enthused to learn of new ways we could partner together.

ITG: What can we expect from Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical in 2020?

AG: In 2019, we concentrated on building a sound foundation for our business. In 2020, we will continue that work and focus on driving alignment to ensure we operate as a single unit for our customers. Another focus will be on leveraging the relationships and reputation we have, to continue to build the business. 2020, is already shaping up to be a good year. I am very excited for the future of Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical and our ability to help our customers achieve their missions and impact patients’ lives.

ITG: Silicone has been used in medical applications  since the 1950’s. Why is this, and how do you expect this material to impact the medical industry going forward?

AG: Beyond being inert and biocompatible, silicone is incredibly versatile in how it can be processed. This versatility presents manufacturers like Trelleborg with a multitude of ways to solve the application challenges our customers face. Trelleborg has developed and produced silicone tubing, film, and custom-molded components for more than 20 years, and we have developed a deep understanding of how silicone behaves in our manufacturing environments. For these reasons, silicone has become a critical material for device manufacturers when developing new solutions to help patients.

One of the newest developments, which we have discussed previously in In the Groove, is the integration of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) within silicone. Silicone’s favorable porous nature enables drugs to be eluted into the human body at very specific doses over time.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical is at the forefront of recent development in which vulcanized silicone is infused with API through immersion. It is working with its customers to create solutions for wound care, reduction of swelling post-device implantation, and other innovative treatment options. Drug-eluting technology is a promising new development and a major focus of ours moving forward.

ITG: You recently participated in MD&M Minneapolis and COMPAMED. How did show attendees respond to the new Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical operation? What were they most interested in?

AG: This was a very positive experience for the team. Many companies are searching for a partner to provide expertise in manufacturing, engineering and materials. Because we have multi-year relationships with most of the top medical device companies already, they know they can look to us as an extension of their teams. I think what surprised most of our current and prospective customers was how diverse Trelleborg’s offering is. They were enthused to learn of new ways we could partner together.

ITG: What can we expect from Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical in 2020?

AG: In 2019, we concentrated on building a sound foundation for our business. In 2020, we will continue that work and focus on driving alignment to ensure we operate as a single unit for our customers. Another focus will be on leveraging the relationships and reputation we have, to continue to build the business. 2020, is already shaping up to be a good year. I am very excited for the future of Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical and our ability to help our customers achieve their missions and impact patients’ lives.

ITG: Silicone has been used in medical applications  since the 1950’s. Why is this, and how do you expect this material to impact the medical industry going forward?

AG: Beyond being inert and biocompatible, silicone is incredibly versatile in how it can be processed. This versatility presents manufacturers like Trelleborg with a multitude of ways to solve the application challenges our customers face. Trelleborg has developed and produced silicone tubing, film, and custom-molded components for more than 20 years, and we have developed a deep understanding of how silicone behaves in our manufacturing environments. For these reasons, silicone has become a critical material for device manufacturers when developing new solutions to help patients.

One of the newest developments, which we have discussed previously in In the Groove, is the integration of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) within silicone. Silicone’s favorable porous nature enables drugs to be eluted into the human body at very specific doses over time.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical is at the forefront of recent development in which vulcanized silicone is infused with API through immersion. It is working with its customers to create solutions for wound care, reduction of swelling post-device implantation, and other innovative treatment options. Drug-eluting technology is a promising new development and a major focus of ours moving forward.

ITG: You recently participated in MD&M Minneapolis and COMPAMED. How did show attendees respond to the new Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical operation? What were they most interested in?

AG: This was a very positive experience for the team. Many companies are searching for a partner to provide expertise in manufacturing, engineering and materials. Because we have multi-year relationships with most of the top medical device companies already, they know they can look to us as an extension of their teams. I think what surprised most of our current and prospective customers was how diverse Trelleborg’s offering is. They were enthused to learn of new ways we could partner together.

ITG: What can we expect from Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical in 2020?

AG: In 2019, we concentrated on building a sound foundation for our business. In 2020, we will continue that work and focus on driving alignment to ensure we operate as a single unit for our customers. Another focus will be on leveraging the relationships and reputation we have, to continue to build the business. 2020, is already shaping up to be a good year. I am very excited for the future of Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical and our ability to help our customers achieve their missions and impact patients’ lives.

ITG: Silicone has been used in medical applications  since the 1950’s. Why is this, and how do you expect this material to impact the medical industry going forward?

AG: Beyond being inert and biocompatible, silicone is incredibly versatile in how it can be processed. This versatility presents manufacturers like Trelleborg with a multitude of ways to solve the application challenges our customers face. Trelleborg has developed and produced silicone tubing, film, and custom-molded components for more than 20 years, and we have developed a deep understanding of how silicone behaves in our manufacturing environments. For these reasons, silicone has become a critical material for device manufacturers when developing new solutions to help patients.

One of the newest developments, which we have discussed previously in In the Groove, is the integration of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) within silicone. Silicone’s favorable porous nature enables drugs to be eluted into the human body at very specific doses over time.

Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical is at the forefront of recent development in which vulcanized silicone is infused with API through immersion. It is working with its customers to create solutions for wound care, reduction of swelling post-device implantation, and other innovative treatment options. Drug-eluting technology is a promising new development and a major focus of ours moving forward.

ITG: You recently participated in MD&M Minneapolis and COMPAMED. How did show attendees respond to the new Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical operation? What were they most interested in?

AG: This was a very positive experience for the team. Many companies are searching for a partner to provide expertise in manufacturing, engineering and materials. Because we have multi-year relationships with most of the top medical device companies already, they know they can look to us as an extension of their teams. I think what surprised most of our current and prospective customers was how diverse Trelleborg’s offering is. They were enthused to learn of new ways we could partner together.

ITG: What can we expect from Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical in 2020?

AG: In 2019, we concentrated on building a sound foundation for our business. In 2020, we will continue that work and focus on driving alignment to ensure we operate as a single unit for our customers. Another focus will be on leveraging the relationships and reputation we have, to continue to build the business. 2020, is already shaping up to be a good year. I am very excited for the future of Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical and our ability to help our customers achieve their missions and impact patients’ lives.

ANDREW GAILLARD

Andrew Gaillard is Trelleborg's Global Segment Director of Healthcare & Medical. In this role, he is responsible for helping customers achieve their goals of bringing new products to market faster and
ensuring consistent, high-quality supply once those products are in the market. This means partnering closely with customers and providing excellent customer service.

Prior to Trelleborg, Andrew had his own strategic consulting business helping start-ups and small healthcare businesses determine go-to-market strategies. He was also the Vice President of Global Marketing - Healthcare Division at Ecolab and spent 10 years in a variety of leadership roles in Medtronic’s cardiovascular group.

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