Granite Forge LLC, a contract manufacturer of medical devices, is opening its first operation in Hudson, where it plans to hire 25 employees.
Michael Bergeron, business development manager with the Department of Business and Economic Affairs, assisted in Granite Forge in choosing New Hampshire as its location.
Granite Forge, which forges and machines implants for total joint replacement (hips, knees, shoulders), trauma surgery, and extremities such as wrists and ankles, will be a supplier to major orthopedic implant companies in domestic and international markets.
“We have invested significantly in the latest technology in order to provide the highest quality products and service to our customers,” said Chief Commercial Officer Pat O’Neill.
“We decided to locate in New Hampshire, near the Massachusetts border, because of the available talent in both states, the proximity to critical suppliers and contractors, and the financial freedom that low tax New Hampshire offers,” said Mel Speidel, chief operating officer and general manager for the Hudson facility.
The new facility is, said President/CEO Greg Davis, a state of the art, 24,000-square-foot plant equipped with the latest machining, finishing and inspection equipment.
“We are looking for experienced CNC machinists, metal finishers, quality inspectors, and press operators,” Davis said. “We are also hoping to partner with local educators to help train and develop the next generation.”
Gary Stavrum, a partner and investor in Granite Forge, sees growing global demand for high quality forged orthopedic implants, and recognizes a need for additional contract manufacturers to support the growth of this market.
The annual Medical Design & Manufacturing East expo is over for another year and our business development team is back from New York City, pronouncing it a great success.
Over 13,000 people attended and for whatever reason, our booth was draw, not only for people to talk about the state’s business friendly climate and its growing life sciences industry, but for those who related memories of their visits to New Hampshire. We look forward to being in touch again with the many contacts we made there.
We were by no means the only New Hampshire presence at the trade show … check out the quick video for a look at some of the state’s premier companies in this fast growing industry.
Lorna Colquhoun
Communications Director
Division of Economic Development
Two New Hampshire companies join the Best of New England booth at the 40th annual Arab Health Exhibition and Congress in Dubai, the second largest healthcare trade show in the world and the largest in the Middle East, which runs Jan. 26-29.
Intrinsyk Medical of Salem, which designs, manufactures and distributes medical devices related to diabetes treatment, and Lamprey Networks Inc., of Durham, provider of connected health products, solutions and services for remote monitoring, will be a part of the Best of New England booth, which is a partnership of trade offices in the region and US Commercial Service.
This is the first time the New Hampshire Office of International Commerce will have a presence at this trade show, which will give the state an opportunity to tout one of its fast growing sectors.
“About 7,000 people are employed in bio-medical manufacturing and research – that’s 14 percent higher than the national average in this industry,” said Carmen Lorentz, director of the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, which oversees the OIC. “Projections indicate the number of jobs will grow by 10 percent in the next five years. Arab Health is a great place to highlight this important sector in our economy.”
Representatives of the companies participating in the show agree.
Salem, NH
“This is a key show because of the potential clientele that visit the show,” said Tom Gannon, Intrinsyk’s vice president for commercial operations. “This is where we can meet decision makers in one place.”
Founded in July 2013, the company seeks to expand its global markets, he said.
Intrinsyk’s products, including blood sampling devices and needles used for insulin pens, will be of particular interest in the Middle East and North Africa, where an estimated one in 10 adults has diabetes, with half of those undiagnosed.
Durham, NH
“There are areas in the region that are remote and our technology can help people there,” Parker said. “This is an opportunity to bring forward our products and find partners in these regions – the Middle East and Eastern Europe.”
While the cost of attending an international trade show like Arab Health would be prohibitive for small New Hampshire companies, funding from the State Trade Export Promotion grant makes it possible for them to participate. The Best of New England booth model further provides exposure to growing sectors in the northeast, which raises the profile of the region.
The Division of Economic Development provides assistance to businesses throughout the state, acting as a single point of contact.
For more information or assistance, contact the Division of Economic Development at 603-271-2591 or info@nheconomy.com. For information about international trade, visit www.exportnh.org.
Lorna Colquhoun
Communications Director
NH Division of Economic Development
One of New Hampshire’s newest companies is not only one we helped to relocate here, but it’s one that’s on the forefront of technology and women’s health.
Gamma Medica is evolving technology to improve breast cancer detection and has opened a product design, engineering and manufacturing plant in southern New Hampshire, the latest business to locate in a region becoming known for its bio-medical industry.
Gamma Medica, Inc. develops, markets and services the LumaGEM® MBI system, a digital molecular breast imaging system enabling radiologists to detect early stage cancers that can be missed in women with mammographically dense breast tissue. It is leasing 8,000-square feet at 12 Manor Parkway and plans to hire about 30 people in the next year.
Jim Calandra, CEO Gamma Medical Salem, NH
Since then, technology has been developing high-quality, high-resolution systems to detect tumors at 5 millimeters. Through a non-invasive procedure, women whose mammograms are inconclusive can opt for MBI testing. It’s about one-third of the cost of an MRI, which is used for further analysis of dense breast tissue.
While mammography is an excellent tool in the detection of breast cancer, it does have limitations, said Dr. Robert C. Hannon of Salem Radiology.
“The development of molecular breast imaging, and its ability to identify even small early cancers, is a most welcome addition,” Hannon said. “Gamma Medica, through its Luma GEM MBI System, has refined the technique so it is simple, safe and accurate. This technology will be a significant asset to physicians, as they continue their efforts against this disease.”
Earlier this summer, Gamma Medica closed on a $16 million Series A financing round from healthcare investment firm, Psilos Group Managers. This funding enables Gamma Medica to expand commercialization of the LumaGEM MBI system, its companion product, the LumaGUIDE® MBI-guided biopsy module, and be used to finance additional post-market clinical studies.
Calandra said locating this company in Salem made sense and not just because of New Hampshire’s low tax structure.
“There is a strong medical device presence here and we are close to Boston, where there is a prevalence of medical device companies along Route 128 and around the Merrimack Valley,” he said, adding that being close to some of the finest hospitals in the country was also an important consideration in locating here.
Southern New Hampshire is developing a strong medical device cluster, said Michael Bergeron, business development manager for the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, who assisted Gamma Medica in its move to the state.
“The company was looking to locate in a place where there is access to talented employees, universities, and hospitals, as well as low operating costs,” Bergeron said. “New Hampshire has all of that.”
Gamma Medica will celebrate its grand opening on Oct. 11.
