A £9 million boost for Cardiff production facility is set to drive a fourfold increase in output according to the company.
Eakin Healthcare has unveiled what it claims to be the world’s largest ostomy bag production line, marking a major milestone in its 9 million GBP investment at its Cardiff Business Park site. The launch is part of an overall 60 million GBP investment and transformation programme designed to reshape and future-proof the Eakin Healthcare manufacturing operations across the UK.
Measuring 32 metres long by 7 metres (at its widest point), the new production line affectionately named “The Stomatic Line” by local schoolchildren from Coed Glas Primary School, will deliver a fourfold increase in capacity according to the company, increasing output to meet ‘growing demand’ for the ModaVi flagship brand of ostomy pouches.
Speaking about the investment and what it means for those who have undergone stoma surgery, CEO of Eakin Healthcare, Padraic Dempsey said: “This investment in our ostomy production reinforces our commitment to the Welsh and wider UK economy, and to our valuable workforce of 200 in Cardiff. In response to rising global demand with an estimated 13.5 million people living with a stoma – Eakin Healthcare is committed to delivering reassurance and comfort to ostomates around the world. This significant investment in Wales will allow us to scale innovative ostomy care products and meet the evolving needs of ostomates to help them maintain a quality of life following their surgery.
“But our care goes beyond supplying quality ostomy care products. We recently secured a contract with NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership to supply 50 percent of the stoma care support services across Wales. This will be delivered through Eakin Healthcare’s Respond service – a UK-based prescription and dispensing service with a network of stoma care nurses on hand for support and advice. This is further evidence that we are firmly rooted in Wales, for the people of Wales, where our focus is on sustainable growth, local jobs and putting customers first.”
This first phase of investment will not only drive substantial enhancements in production capacity in Cardiff but also plays a vital role in supporting Eakin Healthcare’s aspiration to achieve net zero across its entire operations by 2045.
Neil Winstanley, Chief Operations Officer said: “By integrating sustainable practices from the onset, the new production line has a strong foundation that is commercially and environmentally responsible.
“Operating out of a 10,000 square-foot, purpose-built production room, the new line manufactured by Harro Höfliger in Germany, is equipped with smart metering technology to monitor energy consumption and will achieve a 60% reduction in production waste (yield losses). This will mean significant improvements in production efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability.”
The next two phases of the 60 million GBP investment programme will deliver manufacturing advancements across Eakin Healthcare’s Northern Ireland sites, helping to safeguard UK jobs and accelerate production efficiency and capacity for the Group.
