Singapore: Germany-based metals and technology company Heraeus has opened a new Singapore facility to support expansion of their medical components division. The expansion is focused on R&D and production of materials and components for the medical device industry and increases Heraeus' presence in Asia to more than 20 manufacturing facilities.

According to Dr Nicolas Guggenheim, president, Heraeus' medical components division, Singapore was selected as the new medical materials development and production center in Asia for a number of reasons. With the strong Asian investment in local startups, a strong base of new Asian medical device companies is growing in the region, which makes for a powerful mix of companies and innovation."

"Being the first phase of the firm's Asian operations strategy, Singapore is uniquely positioned as a premier high-tech hub providing access to a very technical and well educated workforce that can support our development efforts. Singapore's ideal location situated between Malaysia and Indonesia provides both Heraeus and our customers with nearby lower cost manufacturing and production options," said Dr Guggenheim.

According to Dr Mark Kempf, executive vice president, global business lines, Heraeus medical components, "The division is also very fortunate to be able to leverage the existing Heraeus Singapore infrastructure, which includes one of the world's largest bonding wire facilities and that has already received approval by many of our top medical customers."

"With strong guidance and support from the Singapore government Heraeus Medical Components was able to quickly and efficiently ramp-up our new development and production center," said Dr Kempf. He has also been named Singapore general manager and has relocated to Singapore.