Lombard has announced the formal opening of the company’s new cleanroom, which will enhance the global operating footprint and production capabilities of their lead product, Aorfix, to meet increased worldwide customer demand.
The state of the art facility in Didcot, UK, will be officially opened by Roger Greenhalgh, emeritus professor of Surgery, Head of Imperial College Vascular Surgery Research Group.
Part of the expansion involved significantly increasing Lombard Medical’s workforce, recruiting skilled engineers in research and development, manufacturing and quality, via a government funded sector skills work academy. The academy was facilitated by successful partnerships with Job Centre Plus and Abingdon and Witney College to attract local people with the right aptitude and then to provide intensive training prior to candidates participating in Lombard Medical’s assessment centres. Lombard Medical increased the production workforce by over 100% in 2014, a third of which came from the academy.
“I was lucky to be involved with Lombard Medical at their beginning and witness the high quality achieved in the expert manufacture of what we previously built in an operating theatre. Lombard Medical’s device, Aorfix, enables the aorta to be repaired as a minor procedure with less pain for patients and low risk. Lombard is an example of successful British innovation reaching all parts of the world,” Greenhalgh said.
Simon Hubbert, Lombard Medical CEO added:
“Having had a presence in Didcot for over 10 years, Lombard Medical are strong supporters of local talent and we are pleased to be involved in this government funded recruitment initiative, along with Job Centre Plus and Abingdon and Witney College, to identify and train local people who meet our rigorous standards. The expansion of our manufacturing facility is a key operational milestone for Lombard Medical as we continue the strong global roll out of Aorfix.”
