IVAM Microtechnology Network

VDMA – Working Group Medical Technology Your network for success

The VDMA represents more than 3,400 German and European companies of the mechanical engineering industry. The industry stands for innovation, export orientation and medium-sized businesses. The companies employ around four million people in Europe, more than one million of them in Germany. Mechanical and plant engineering represents a European turnover volume of around 800 billion euros. With a net value added of around 270 billion euros, it contributes the highest share of the entire manufacturing sector to the European gross domestic product.

Production technology & components for medical products in focus

In the VDMA the fusion of machinery engineering and medical technology is manifold and offers tremendous potential for the future. The Working Group Medical Technology represents suppliers, manufacturers of production equipment, and all industry sectors active in the interdisciplinary field of medical technology within a joint platform. The Working Group is especially focused on pooling the heterogeneous interests of its members and providing an information platform for the companies, offering the opportunity to share and access relevant information.

With its huge network, the Working Group Medical Technology is in a position to recommend experts and to assist its members with fundamental issues. It offers market information for German and foreign markets, a comprehensive list of suppliers for the industry, activities for standardisation, and representation of political interest. Regular expert meetings and working groups provide information on various topics, including laws and regulations, production technology, components, and markets.

Another essential part of our activities is the substantive and organisational support of medical technology events through content or strategic partnerships and participation at national and international fairs: as one of the main supporters of the new medical technology fair MedtecLIVE with T4M, through a joint stand at Compamed and two German pavillons in China (Medtec China), and in the USA (MD&M West).

Assistance with research and development

Medical technology is an innovative and dynamically growing sector. Around one third of its sales are generated with products that were launched on the market less than three years ago. In order to constantly renew and expand their product ranges, manufacturers and suppliers invest huge efforts in research and development. Close cooperation among everyone involved – from research and development to the supply sector and the manufacturers of medical products – is extremely important in making sure this investment pays off. To aid this cooperation, VDMA’s Working Group Medical Technology provides its members comprehensive support in developing partnerships and collaborations. For example, research institutes gain the opportunity to present their developments for medical technology to interested companies at roadshows. In addition, we regularly bring doctors and hospitals together with engineers to discuss the future challenges facing medicine and to help to drive new developments forward.

For more information: Diethelm Carius VDMA – Working Group Medical Technology Lyoner Strasse 18 60528 Frankfurt am Main d.carius@vdw.de → www.vdma.org/medtec