What are the challenges in setting up operations in Asia?

The challenge is not in setting up operations but in meeting healthcare professionals from the region. The whole of Asia is vast and each region has its own characteristics. The reason for selecting Singapore is its geographic advantage, high skilled human resources, established infrastructure, good IP law, and opportunities to partner with communities, such as A*Star. Strengthened by 30 employees, including researchers and scientists, our R&D center will start operational by 2013.

Operating from Singapore, our team will interact with healthcare professionals and take their input on designing innovative medical devices. The feedback will help in evaluating unique healthcare demands of Asia and then design the product accordingly. Greatbatch wants to team up with budding entrepreneurs of Singapore for commercialization or R&D-boosting opportunities.

What is the price reduction that you are looking forward to achieve?

We are looking at price reduction of at least 30 percent, but the company has yet to formally identify the product and treat the same disease with higher affordability. Traditionally the trend has been to manufacture the existing products in Asia to enable cost efficiency. However, it does not have a very high impact on the cost.