Eindhoven, Netherlands-based mold maker IGS GeboJagema launched a U.S. subsidiary, to meet the needs of health care and optical customers while further developing the North American market.
The company's U.S. plant will be on the East Coast, in a location to be determined. For now, it has established a legal entity, IGS GeboJagema USA, in Washington, D.C.
The local operation will provide faster and more convenient sales and service support to the company's North American client base.
IGS GeboJagema manufactures and validates precision molds to produce contact lenses, asthma inhalers, insulin pens and diagnostic blood devices.
The company generated about 40 million euros in sales in 2020 with 51 percent of the orders coming from the U.S., according to Sales Director Hans Arts.
"In the year to come we estimate growth to 55 million to 60 million euros, with the biggest growth coming from the U.S.," Arts said in an email.
The U.S. subsidiary will be introduced Dec. 7 to the medical industry at MD&M East (Booth 746).
The Dutch company's engineers have become a strategic partner for large OEMs and top health care companies worldwide during the last 20 years, according to CEO Peter Mertens.
"Based in the heart of the most prominent technology hub of Europe, we have been able to assemble a team of world-class engineers," Mertens said in a news release. "Through their ambition and creativity, we develop cutting-edge and highly reliable molding solutions that give our clients an edge over their competitors."
Customers are turning to IGS GeboJagema for product development, Mertens added.
"To give an example, we are currently involved in all major strategic insulin pen projects," he said. "We like to partner with our clients as early as possible, so we can make the biggest impact. Whether it's product design, or a smart mold solution that no one else can offer, we optimize every aspect of the manufacturing process to realize the lowest total cost of ownership possible."
IGS GeboJagema's facility will be comprised of two halls: one to produce molds and one to test them on either the company's or the customer's machines.
"The intention is to extend the sales and service office first with an engineering and validation center, so the U.S. molds will be designed and validated in the U.S., closer to the customer," Arts said. "After that we will consider to copy the automated, lights-out, single-shift, 24/7, industry 4.0 factory in the Netherlands to the U.S."
The facility in Eindhoven was expanded in 2018 by about 13,000 square feet for a customer service center that has eight injection molding machines, varying from 50 tons to 350 tons of clamp force, for validation purposes. Customers also can install their own press to validate their tool as well.