Meridian Medical is proud to announce the addition of two more cutting-edge cleanrooms at its manufacturing plant in Littlehampton, West Sussex. These new class 7 cleanroom additions bring the company’s total cleanroom assembly facilities to seven.
This latest, strategic investment in Meridian Medical’s infrastructure underscores the company’s relentless pursuit of excellence in delivering top-tier products and services to valued customers. The two new cleanrooms also address an unprecedented surge in demand from medical device manufacturers seeking a contract cleanroom assembly manufacturing partner.
“Meridian Medical has experienced an unparalleled increase in demand for its contract manufacturing services in the wake of strategic entry into new markets, translating into a remarkable 20% annual growth rate in sales each year for the past three years,” explains Managing Director, James Fenton. “We decided to seize the opportunity this presented to reinvest in our operational capacity.”
Strategic expansion to drive future growth
During an active search for a new location for the additional cleanrooms, the company secured a substantial contract from an existing customer, meaning space was required to accommodate two new, large rotatory Radio Frequency (RF) welding units. This contractual requirement further underscored the crucial need for immediate investment in new state-of-the-art cleanroom facilities.
Always looking steadfastly toward the future, Meridian Medical’s leadership team considered how the new cleanroom could be used beyond the immediate requirements. This led to the decision to construct two new rooms within the same space, one upstairs and another downstairs. This strategic decision accommodates the welding units, as well as setting the stage for the expansion of Meridian’s cleanroom assembly capabilities for more future customers.
The downstairs facility contributes an extra 76m2 of production space, while the upstairs room adds 56m2 and features material handling areas along with a staff kitchen.
A two-phased approach to amplify production
Phase One – Downstairs Cleanroom
The new downstairs cleanroom now serves as the home for the newly acquired welding units. In addition, production for one specific customer’s product was relocated from one of the pre-existing cleanrooms, to the new downstairs cleanroom. This seamless transfer will allow the Meridian team to scale up the production of this single product from approximately 6000 units per month to 30,000 units per month.
James Fenton emphasises the importance of this move, saying, “This intentional relocation was a strategic manoeuvre, designed to amplify overall production capacity at Meridian Medical, ensuring a harmonious integration with the established workflow.”
Phase Two – Upstairs Cleanroom
Previously, a third of one of the pre-existing cleanrooms accommodated tube cutting equipment. This machinery, tasked with converting rolls of tubing into shorter lengths, has been relocated to the new upstairs cleanroom.
This calculated move has optimised space usage at Meridian. By freeing up a substantial portion of the pre-existing cleanroom, the team anticipates a boost in production capacity by approximately a third. In preparation for this expansion and the subsequent surge in operational demands, Meridian Medical has initiated a proactive recruitment drive, with ambitious plans to hire an additional 10-15 cleanroom staff members.
Firm focus on customer satisfaction
2023 proved to be a record-breaking year for production and in order to securely store the increased output, Meridian Medical was also compelled to acquire additional warehousing space. The new dispatch warehouse is located only 200 metres from the company’s main premises and serves as a finished goods warehouse with additional office area. This warehouse has the capacity to store up to 90 pallets of stock, ready for dispatch in response to customers’ monthly call-off orders.
The construction of the two new cleanrooms is not merely a response to burgeoning demand, it is also a strategic investment in the sustained growth and future capabilities of Meridian Medical. As the company moves forward, its commitment to innovation, quality and customer satisfaction remains unwavering.
Meridian Medical is a family owned, privately held, contract manufacturer, specialising in sterile and non-sterile medical device development and supply. Founded in 1990, Meridian Medical is headquartered in Littlehampton, West Sussex.
Further information about Meridian Medical can be found on our website www.meridian-medical.com or by contacting us on 01903 732344 or emailing us at info@meridian-medical.com.
