AMERICAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS

American Medical Systems sought an organization with proven capability in product design and manufacturing to support a new, lead-lined container for transporting nuclear medicines. They believed that bringing this new product to market could, in addition to facilitating American Medical’s own transport needs, potentially open a new market in medical transport packaging in which American would have a competitive edge. American Medical researched the field of outsourced service and manufacturing providers, and selectively narrowed the field of contenders. E-BI emerged as the company with superior capabilities based on four key factors:

1. E-BI’s Global Supply Chain Management (GSCM) system. American Medical had never made a product outside of the United States, therefore, it was important to align with a company that could hold their hand during the manufacturing and quality control process. E-BI’s 14 dimension tracking and logistics GSCM system provided American Medical with insight into every step of the manufacturing process with transparency.
2. E-BI’s design center. Utilizing E-BI’s design center eliminated the need for third party services. This reduced the communication problems and increased the effectiveness of American Medical’s processes. In a very short time American Medical had a new design seamlessly moving into manufacturing.
3. E-BI’s support during the RFQ process. American Medical was able to discuss every step with open communication and detail needed to establish ‘comfort’ with E-BI as their primary supplier.
4. Open communication. American Medical’s initial concerns about the quality and reliability of communication with Chinese manufacturers was quickly laid to rest.

Bob Ranieri, who is the Vice President of Sales at American medical Systems says that when they began working with E-BI, they quickly learned how much they didn’t know about manufacturing their product. The engineers at E-BI, both US and China based, communicated very well. They felt like they were part of the process and this gave them a feeling of integration within E-BI’s organization. In looking at American’s existing and potentially expanded utilization of E-BI design and manufacturing services, Ranieri reiterates the importance of strategic suppliers. “If I look back on the last 18 months, E-BI has certainly shown impact and value to achievement of our mission”.