Strategic regional base anchors Forefront's global expansion

Being in the right location is important for a successful business. For Forefront Medical Technology, Singapore's stringent intellectual property (IP) laws make it an ideal base for its research, development and design capabilities.

"We have a solid home-grown advantage," says group CEO Mark Samlal. "We believe that our ability to contract with organisations as a Singaporean-listed company gives multinationals the comfort to deal with us."

Clients rely on Forefront for assistance in developing and prototyping medical products, assured that their IP rights are protected. Forefront designs, mass-produces and delivers disposable medical, diagnostic and drug delivery devices such as laryngeal masks, infusion system components and airway management devices.

"We are a pure-play 100 per cent medical devices company," Samlal says. "There is nothing in the entire spectrum of a fully-made device or its significant components that we can't manage."

In working with clients on product development, Forefront also has the support of Singaporean government agency SPRING, which nurtures local enterprises and builds trust in the country's products and services.

Forefront regards Singapore as the core of its hub-and-spoke set-up from which it directs its production operations in China. It opened its third manufacturing plant, a flagship facility within the Jiangsu Wujin Economic Zone in Changzhou in July last year. All of Forefront's manufacturing facilities are accredited to meet the stringent cleanliness standards required by the medical industry.

The world-class facility is certified by the German Technical Monitoring Association (TUV) and bears the ISO 13485 certification, which confirms compliance with quality management standards for medical device companies. It also features class 8 and 7 cleanrooms, which control airborne contaminants.

Diagnostic devices such as handheld rapid diagnostics and endoscopic instruments are among the first products that Forefront is manufacturing at its Changzhou facility. This is in line with Forefront's drive to grow its diagnostic consumables segment.

The Changzhou facility brings Forefront closer to its clients within the medical cluster at Suzhou Industrial Park. "We want to be nimble and innovative in addressing our customers' needs quickly because we want to bring them commercial success," Samlal says.

The company maintains close relationships with the industrial park and economic zone authorities, which have appointed Samlal as an adviser to the zone and the medical cluster.

The Changzhou facility is also near the newest branch of the mainland's Food and Drug Administration (FDA), allowing Forefront to help its clients obtain FDA approval. "We can help our international customers with their Asian entry, deliver at a cost base that makes sense, and additionally fast-track and assist them with registering their products with the Chinese FDA," Samlal says.

Forefront will continue to strengthen production and development of disposable devices for its medical, diagnostic and drug delivery segments and sub-segments such as dietary and orthopaedics.

The company's edge lies in its technical capabilities in design innovation which has enabled it to expand its portfolio to include enteral feeding tubes and dialysis kits.

"Our product range may be broad, but our manufacturing capability fits into every one of those products as a result of our legacy in airway devices," Samlal says.

Forefront's manufacturing facility in Xiamen has doubled in size and increased its production volume 18 times since it opened in 2009.

Forefront's Singapore headquarters likewise directs its commercial office in Shanghai, which was established to serve clients and co-ordinate with partners on the mainland and throughout the region. Forefront also manages its sales office in Connecticut from Singapore and will be opening an additional sales office in Boston this year.

"Our presence sends a strong message that we care about providing our customers with local service in their time zone and in their vicinity," Samlal says.

Forefront Medical Technology
Website: www.forefrontmedicaltechnology.com