Biomedical Market of Interest for Cleveland Manufacturers

Three manufacturing companies in Greater Cleveland exploring the biomedical market.

Sea, Air, Space Machining & Molding LLC: Chip Gear, a minority owner of the Solon company, said it already has established a presence in aerospace manufacturing. Now it is pushing "very hard" into the biomedical supply chain. Company President Tracy Brent says the 15-employee company already does prototype manufacturing and now wants "to offer high-volume production, too." A significant customer is Philips Healthcare.

Automation Plastics Corp.: The Aurora company has found production of high-pressure gas line valves and aerosol valves as well as packaging for medical devices a promising new niche. "Especially since we have served the automotive industry so much in the past," says Bernie Nagle, director of strategy and process improvement. The 65-employee company, he said, is finding the new market welcoming to manufacturers with APC's scope and quality.

Hubbell Machine Tooling: The 12-person shop in Valley View has found making surgical instruments a profitable enterprise and expects to pursue other new industries, too, including defense and aerospace, says Vince Petek, president and owner.