MMP celebrates working milestone with pharma customer

When it comes to developing a strong and profitable business in a highly specialised niche, nurturing long-term partnerships with customers and suppliers is one piece of the jigsaw that so often gets overlooked, comments Peter Lucas, co-director of Medical Moulded Products (MMP). 

And in a world that is constantly changing, adapting and evolving – and with a big emphasis on technology, human interaction still counts for a lot he adds. 

This statement comes following the recent announcement of a successful five-year business partnership with Manchester-based customer Alchemy Pharmaceuticals and the recent manufacture of 17,000 medical devices which help to administer medication into human brains.  

Peter says: “Our partnership all began with a Beta product we manufactured in our clean rooms for Alchemy, which we delivered on time and within budget.  

“With our collaborative approach to developing only the very best products for our customers, we knew our skillset was somewhat niche and only hoped that we could secure this first opportunity. Five years later our partnership is still going strong and we’re breaking new boundaries in the world of bespoke medical manufacturing.   

Ian Harrison, co-owner of Alchemy Pharmaceuticals said: “From the moment MMP delivered our first product we knew we would be in the very best hands. We particularly liked the fact that the clean rooms were on site at head office and that the directors of the business are actively involved at every stage. 

“The investment was extremely competitive and we had undertaken our research only to discover that Pete and Gerry had established a business that is completely focused on the niche of medical injection moulding.” 

Peter added, “From the outset, our goal is always to ensure we manufacture, test and meet the relevant regulatory and safety requirements for every product we produce and look forward to many more years working alongside the team at Alchemy.”

Playing a pivotal in Cellular Highways’ new consumable for cell sorting

We have recently been appointed by Cellular Highways, a spin-out of TTP plc, based in Cambridge to assist in the production of moulded components for their fully enclosed cartridge for cell sorting. So far 1500 units have been delivered and significantly more are expected as production is ramped up. 

Our selection was based on our expertise in producing injection moulded disposables, at speed, to assist with this Beta product. 

Cellular Highways required a thin polycarbonate screw cap with a thermoplastic rubber insert for the output vessel of a new cartridge which will come to market later this year. The single-use closed cartridge, known as Highway1, will enable the analysis of millions of single cells for research and development.  

John He, mechanical engineer at Cellular Highways, said: “Since the cartridge had to be single-use and closed, there could be no clogged nozzles, no cleaning, and no carry-over or contamination. In addition, the vessel had to be large enough to process typical cell populations in a single run without the need to use multiple cartridges. 

“From an initial conversation with the team at MMP, we then submitted manufacturing drawings and a CAD model. Very quickly we were given a comprehensive quote which was extremely competitive and with the timings in line with our requirements.” 

Peter Lucas, co-director of MMP said: “Within four months, we had successfully designed and delivered the micro-thin tube cap based on the manufacturing requirements. 

“From the outset, our goal was to ensure that our cap was manufactured and tested to meet the relevant regulatory and safety requirements before sending on to Cellular Highways.  

“We were pleased to have had such positive feedback and to be known as the people to do business with based on speed, flexibility and ease of working practices. We’re looking forward to working with Cellular Highways again in the future.” 

Helping during the Ukraine crisis

This month, we were pleased to play our part in the Ukraine war by dropping off essential goods for export.

All of the MMP team kindly collected and donated clothing, bedding and medical items which were then handed over to the charity Teams4U who had a collection base in Burton, just on our doorstep.

At the collection base, more than 20 volunteers were seen packing, sorting and selecting the donated goods from different companies across the region.

They will then head to either Suceava, Romania - approximately 20 minutes from the Southern border with Ukraine, or across the border and to those in conflict zones.

Peter Lucas, co-director of MMP said: "We know that our donation was a drop in the ocean of what's needed, but we wanted to help and will continue collecting for as long as is possible."

Clive Lawton from Teams4U commented: "Without these small and consistent donations from MMP we wouldn't have amassed the amount of goods we now have and soon they will be leaving UK shores and into the hands of refugees. No donation is too small and we always welcome more. Thank you MMP."

Medical Moulded Products welcomes MP as it introduces new machinery

Medical Moulded Products (MMP) in Burton has, this week, welcomed Kate Griffiths MP through the doors of its clean room factory facility to mark a new company manufacturing milestone. 

The multi-million-pound facility, located on Lancaster Business Park, has recently introduced a brand-new machine to add to its four-strong line up and which will help in the manufacture of medical-standard plastic products for use in the dental and pharmaceutical industries. 

The company has seen the demand for production of its plastic products increase significantly during the pandemic with no let-up in sight. 

Company co-director Gerry Borg comments: “During the global pandemic months, we received orders to manufacture many items, including 15,000 medical slides to help detect cancer cells and also a video laryngoscope to enable doctors to see down the throat of patients using smartphone technology. 

“Day to day, we are producing injection moulded spatulas, mixing bowls, syringes, dispensers and bespoke products from concept to completion.” 

To make the machinery more relatable, company directors have also decided to give each of the five machines a name after world-famous scientists, the latest of which has been called Babington, after English physician Benjamin Guy Babington who invented several medical instruments (including the first laryngoscope). 

Speaking of the visit, Kate said: “This is a remarkable organisation in Burton producing remarkable products that are invaluable for the medical industry and I am honoured to have been able to attend today and unveil Babington. 

“I wish the company great success for the future and look forward to seeing and hearing about its product advances as we move through 2022 .”

MMP Directors plunge into freezing temperatures for charity

Two cold water-hardy directors from Medical Moulded Products (MMP) in Burton-Upon-Trent are making a splash for charity, this week.

Pete Lucas and Gerry Borg are, this Friday (17 December), stepping into their wet suits and plunging into eight degree waters at Dosthill Quarry in Tamworth, all in aid of the River and Canal Trust. 

The duo wanted to do something memorable to end the year and at the same time raise vital funds, all whilst doing something that would test them physically and mentally.

They will be spending an hour in the water, ploughing up and down and around the perimeter with just a distant light to guide them around to the nearest buoys. 

Peter Lucas, co-director of MMP, said: “I’m quite adept at swimming in freezing temperatures but to do it in almost darkness will be an all new test for me, and that’s exactly why we’ve chosen to do it.”

Gerry Gould, co-director of MMP, said: “The Canal & River Trust look after and bring to life 2,000 miles of waterways which are important for our natural habitats and our own mental health. Although I can’t say I’m hugely looking forward to it, it will be for a great cause.”

To donate, please visit https://bit.ly/3EXgkd4

MMP invests in robot technology for the medical sector

Medical Moulded Products which creates high quality plastic products for use in the medical sector, is investing over £100,000 to produce a new healthcare device which involves the use of smartphone technology.

Burton-on-Trent-based Medical Moulded Products (MMP), founded in 2015 to concentrate on cleanroom manufacture of medical and associated products, is to manufacture a video laryngoscope system after being awarded a contract by Sanitas Healthcare (Cambridge, UK).

The product – known as Protectscope – is designed to be inserted into the oral cavity allowing manipulation of the tongue and prevent obstruction of throat during intubation for assisted breathing. Video displayed on the smartphone makes this process quicker and safer.

Peter Lucas, co-director of MMP, said: “Because volumes for Protectscope are predicted to be high we are investing over £100,000 in order to automate the process. Such investment will enable us to install two DOOSAN intelligent robots – one will remove the parts from the injection moulding machine. The other will manipulate a mixed material pouch so that the two halves of the laryngoscope can be packed within a cleanroom environment, thus removing the possibility of air borne contamination.

“The bags will then be heat sealed and the parts transported from the cleanroom by use of an incline conveyor”.

MMP’s contract with Sanitas Healthcare follows hard on the heels of a contract awarded by Scottish company DxCover Ltd, which works in partnership with the world-renowned Strathclyde University.

MMP, which has five separate cleanrooms for the manufacture of medical-grade products for the dental and medical sectors, will be producing 15,000 cleanroom-manufactured slides for DxCover that will be used for the detection of cancer cells via blood serum droplets.

Innovation News Autumn 2021

Keep up to date with the latest updates from MMP - Read our Autumn 2021 Innovation News by clicking the image below:

Helping in the battle against brain cancer

A Staffordshire-based manufacturer of bespoke medical devices is playing its part in the earlier diagnosis of brain cancer.

Medical Moulded Products (MMP) has been awarded a contract to develop single-cavity slides at its Burton-on-Trent headquarters, which houses five separate cleanrooms for the manufacture of medical-grade products for the dental and medical sectors.

The contract, awarded by Glasgow-based DxCover Ltd which works in partnership with the world renowned Strathclyde University, will see the firm produce 15,000 cleanroom-manufactured slides that will be used for the detection of cancer cells via blood serum droplets.

The ground-breaking technology, used by DxCover, will use infrared light and proprietary algorithms to analyse patient blood serum samples and detect the presence or absence of disease.

The medical-grade plastic slides, will play an instrumental part of the process, allowing doctors to diagnose cancer more quickly.

MMP specifically appealed to the company because of its ability to work with partners from concept to end design.

Peter Lucas, co-director of Medical Moulded Products said: “Our unique offering is in the ability to create products that meet all technical and regulatory requirements and to be able to adapt designs that enable our clients to find the perfect solution. 

“Initially we worked on a low volume of slides for DxCover which, after a couple of alterations, were adapted by our team and specialist on-site equipment to help revolutionise the detection of brain cancer.”

Dr Mark Hegarty, CEO and Co-founder of DxCover Ltd, said “It’s been a pleasure to work with the team at Medical Moulded Products. I’m delighted to see that MMP are growing and can highly recommend them for their thoroughly professional service, fast response and their quality standards to ISO:13485.” 

The Annual MMP BBQ

The annual Medical Moulded Products BBQ. Celebrating a year of hard work and success.

COVID - CPAP Device Update

Further information and success summary of the CPAP devices is now available on the COVID-19 page of the website.

Keyence Vision Systems

With the aid of Keyence Vision Systems, MMP are able to measure with extreme precision various manufactured parts to ensure that they are within predefined tolerances.

This will allow us to ensure consistent quality of manufactured goods for our customers.

Arburg ALLROUNDER 270 S Compact

ALLROUNDER 270 S Compact installed and fully operational.

This will also be the first ALLROUNDER in the UK and Ireland to be connected to the new ARBURG Remote Service (ARS) with the integrated IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) module.

ISO 13485 2016 Accreditation

Medical Moulded Products are proud to announce that we have earned ISO 13485 2016 accreditation.

Anti Static Device Added To Clean Rooms To Remove Any Static In Moulding Area

PROJET MJP 3600 3D Printing

3D printing services now available from Medical Moulded Products.

Microbiology testing

MMP are adding Microbiology testing to our procedures to further improve our monitoring of cleanliness within the workplace.

New air conditioning system

Medical Moulded Products have commissioned AAC Ltd to install an air conditioning system into our manufacturing plant.

This will benefit our customers by improving the air quality within the factory and also provide a controlled manufacturing temperature thus improving the consistency of the manufacturing process.

Oil Analysis on Injection Moulding Machines

Medical Moulded Products have joined in partnership with Rockson LubriTek for oil management services on their range of Arburg injection moulding machines. Rockson LubriTek ensure that oil analysis is carried out on a regular basis which is the baseline for hydraulic oil quality where key parameters are checked to ensure they meet specifications set out by Arburg. Medical Moulded Products rely on the expertise of Rockson LubriTek to provide interpretation of the oil analysis results which is used for their quality systems and preventative maintenance as oil analysis identifies increases in ISO cleanliness and contaminations such as wear metals, water ingress, increases in oxidisation levels and performance additive levels which deplete over time. Rockson LubriTek offer the complete package for oil management services by carrying out remedial work when required such as filtration or oil changes when required ensuring that Medical Moulded Products can focus on their business needs. For more information on Rockson LubriTek please visit their website www.rocksonlubritek.com

Rockson LubriTek

MMP have teamed up with Rockson LubriTek to monitor the quality of oil within our injection moulding machines as part of our monitoring and calibration procedures.

Rockson LubriTek will be responsible for chemical analysis of our oil and will replace or filter oil, on site, when required.

The quality of oil is essential to the operation of the machines and therefore the quality of product they produce. Rockson LubriTek offer a complete package of services related to the supply and monitoring of oil.