Greatbatch Inc. announced today that one of its world class
manufacturing facilities has been named as one of IndustryWeek’s 2008
top 10 best plants in North America. Greatbatch’s Alden Facility
manufactures implantable power sources for a majority of the world’s
implantable medical device companies.
“This is a huge achievement for Greatbatch and its employees,” said
Susan Campbell, senior vice president at Greatbatch. “The award reflects
our commitment to excellence which has enabled us to continuously
improve our manufacturing and quality systems, and be a world-renowned
manufacturer of critical technologies.”
Over the last three years there have been several key improvements at
the Alden Facility including a 73 percent reduction in incidence rates
for OSHA-recordable injury and illness cases, 60 percent reduction in
average lead-time on major purchased materials, 60 percent reduction in
average changeover time from one product model to another, and
double-digit reduction in scrap and rework costs as a percentage of
sales.
“It’s a huge accomplishment to be identified as a pacesetter in terms of
operational strategy, and production practices and performance,” said
Mike Druding, operations director for Greatbatch’s Alden Facility.
“We’re excited to continue to lead the way for other manufacturers, and
look forward to sharing our experiences and best practices with
manufacturers.”
About IndustryWeek’s Best Plants Program
Established in 1990, IndustryWeek’s annual salute to outstanding
manufacturing facilities recognizes the top 10 plants that are on the
leading edge of efforts to increase competitiveness, enhance customer
satisfaction, create stimulating and rewarding work environments, and
encourage other manufacturing managers and work teams to emulate the
honorees by adopting world-class practices, technologies and improvement
strategies. Past winners include Lockheed Martin and Cordis de Mexico
S.A. de C.V.
About Greatbatch’s Alden Facility
Greatbatch’s Alden Facility manufactures lithium-based battery
technologies for implantable medical devices including pacemakers,
implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) and neurostimulators. The
facility also produces capacitors used for ICDs. The Alden Facility,
located at 11900 Walden Avenue in Alden N.Y, opened in 2005 to meet the
company’s growing needs. The facility employs 290 of the company’s 3,400
employees.
About Greatbatch, Inc.
Greatbatch, Inc. (NYSE: GB) is a leading developer and manufacturer of
critical products used in implantable medical devices for the cardiac
rhythm management, neuromodulation, vascular and orthopedic markets.
Additionally, Electrochem, a subsidiary of Greatbatch, is a world leader
in the design and manufacture of technology solutions for some of the
world’s most demanding and extreme applications. Additional information
about the Company is available at www greatbatch.com.
Greatbatch
Investor Relations:
Marco Benedetti,
716-759-5856
MBenedetti@greatbatch.com
or
Media:
Kathryn
Tarquin, 716-574-5859
KTarquin@greatbatch.com
