In February 2010, Helix Medical (Carpinteria, California / USA; www.helixmedical.com) opened its first production facility in Europe. Based in Kaiserslautern / Germany, the 5.100 m² facility began operations this month, heralding the onset of future activities of the new Helix Medical Europe KG.

The plant began limited operations in January, with initial manufacturing centred on custom-moulded silicone components for medical devices. Media reports indicate that the new outlet will double the company’s existing silicone manufacturing capacity. Future plans include custom moulding of thermoplastics and TPEs, multi-component moulding and the extrusion of silicone and TPEs.

Founded in 1984, Helix Medical is a subsidiary of a general partnership entered into by German company Freudenberg (Weinheim; www.freudenberg.de) and the Japanese NOK Corporation (Tokyo; www.nok.co.jp/e/). The medical product manufacturer’s new plant in Kaiserslautern previously housed Freudenberg’s seals and vibration control products manufacture. “The fact that we were able to build on the infrastructure of an existing facility owned by our parent company created a tremendous opportunity for European expansion,” said Jorg Schneewind, Helix Medical president and CEO.

Helix Medical also operates other medical manufacturing facilities in the US and in China.