Fluoropolymer processor Junkosha Inc. will make "a substantial investment" into its medical device manufacturing plant in Kasama, Japan in the next two years.
In a news release, officials with the firm said that the investment will multiply output by a factor of three at the plant.
"We have taken significant steps to meet the capacity needs that have caused uncertainty for our medical customers worldwide, by rapidly accelerating planned investments," Operations Director Kazu Arai added.
"Our commitment to supporting the supply of fluoropolymer components to this vital sector remains absolute," he said. "We recognize that a new multi-sourced supplier base is the inevitable future for our industry, and we will contribute to this in any way we can."
Arai also said that providing transparency on manufacturing plans "will enable device manufacturers to make informed decisions regarding inventory management."
Tokyo-based Junkosha makes film, tube, hoses, wire and cable and components based on fluoropolymers and other specialty resins. The firm was founded in 1954.
Officials added that with many businesses negatively impacted by being single-sourced for their products, the move to a multi-sourced supply chain "is one that Junkosha advocates, and has incorporated in its future business plans."
"As an industry we are facing challenging times, with extended lead times occurring across the global supply chain," Junkosha USA president and CEO Joe Rowan said. "Although this is not a predicament of our making … we are determined to meet this challenge on behalf of our customers."