News: Marsden scales up with acquisition

Rotherham-based medical device market leader, Marsden Group, is targeting future growth within international and UK healthcare markets following the acquisition of specialist surgical instruments and medical device manufacturer Bailey Instruments.

The acquisition of Manchester-based Bailey Instruments will complement and strengthen Marsden Group’s international growth strategy, by expanding the company’s existing range of high quality medical instruments which are used by medical professionals operating within the UK’s public and private healthcare sectors.

The deal will see the Bailey Instruments brand retained by Marsden Group, with Chairman Tim Bailey playing a consultancy role within the business. Fellow Director Gemma Bailey will remain actively involved within Bailey Instruments and will be responsible for leading Bailey’s international growth.

Launched in 1989 by Tim and Sally Bailey, Bailey Instruments developed high quality re-usable products for the podiatry sector. Today the company is responsible for manufacturing a diverse range of single-use and reusable medical devices which are used in general surgery, podiatry, maternity and ENT.

Bailey’s high quality, comprehensive instrument portfolio will complement and strengthen Marsden Group’s international business and provide further access to global healthcare markets. Moreover, Bailey will also strengthen Marsden Group’s ability to diversify into fast growing markets.

With its headquarters at Templeborough, Marsden Group already offers a range of proven medical devices to help healthcare professionals deliver high quality assessment in hospitals, care homes and community settings. The company is perhaps best known for its pioneering work within weighing devices, used as an essential monitoring and diagnostic tool.

Advertisement
Mark Holdaway, CEO for the Marsden Group, said: "There is a great deal of synergy between the innovative work being delivered by Bailey Instruments and the Marsden Group. The acquisition of Bailey Instruments will provide new opportunities for both businesses, by extending and diversifying the range of solutions we provide to our customers within the healthcare sector.

“The acquisition will provide new opportunities for both businesses, both in terms of investing in research and development, bringing new products to market, as well as building on their expertise, experience and manufacturing capabilities, as we target future growth.

Tim Bailey, Chairman of Bailey Instruments, added: “Joining the Marsden Group of companies will provide us with an opportunity to continue the innovative work we have been delivering in the healthcare sector for nearly 40 years. Together, we will continue to enable caregivers to make a real difference to patient outcomes everywhere.

“When we first entered into discussions it was very clear that our vision was very much aligned with that of the Marsden Group and I am confident that the acquisition will provide opportunities to share our expertise and knowledge, helping to improve patient outcomes by continuing to invest and innovate, whilst crucially providing business continuity as well as helping to unlock new opportunities to grow and develop our operations.

Established in 1926, Marsden is the UK’s leading manufacturer of medical weighing devices and has been responsible for delivering services to the NHS for more than 50 years. The company employs 50 members of staff.

Marsden website

Images: Marsden

Read more...

News: Plans approved for £2m medical centre in Rotherham

Planning permission has been granted to construct a £2m medical centre at the Waverley development in Rotherham.

The newly approved health centre is expected to serve up to 6,000 residents at Olive Lane, which is currently being developed by land and property regeneration specialists, Harworth Group.

Designed by Race Cottam Associates, the new centre encompasses a two-storey building with a double height patient waiting area as a feature glazed element addressing the development. The ground floor is entirely patient-facing and includes a reception and interview room alongside a range of clinical spaces such as consultation, nurses’ and treatment rooms.

The staff-centric first floor houses the centre’s office/admin rooms, spaces for debriefing and sharing of information both internally and with external professionals, and staff comfort facilities. Car and cycle parking is positioned to the south of the site alongside a dedicated ambulance pick-up/drop-off zone.

Laurie Cottam, director at Race Cottam, said: "Olive Lane’s medical centre forms part of a wider development masterplan that will eventually see a new high street created with retail, leisure and office spaces. Situated on the corner of Stephenson Way, the intention is for the medical centre to bookend this junction of the high street with a prominent and striking new building.”

Advertisement
The design allows for the centre’s front façade and eaves to match the adjacent street scene while a higher roof ridge creates a focal point on the northern elevation. A fully glazed feature corner with perforated panels engages the site entrance, and a subtle chamfered overhang indicates the main entrance point. The centre’s material palette incorporates cream brick with stack and stretcher bond detailing, aluminium framing and dark grey standing seam roofing.

Cottam added: “Internally, we worked closely alongside the local Clinical Commissioning Group to establish an appropriate provision of healthcare services. The centre is designed so publicly accessible spaces are located towards the street frontage, meaning the patient journey is as straightforward as possible. If necessary, the design also can be adapted to accommodate a one-way system and contact-free movement.”

Also designed to achieve a BREAAM Excellent rating, the new medical centre features materials deliberately specified for their durability and a primarily natural ventilation strategy.

Plans for Olive Lane, submitted last year, also include retail uses, a gym, offices, restaurants and cafes, a supermarket, community space, a bus hub and residential development, all of which will create a vibrant centre for local people.

Images: Race Cottam

Read more...

News: Queen’s Award success lifts growth for weighing specialist

A Rotherham-based healthcare and industrial manufacturing company has successfully signed up five new international distributors across Europe and South East Asia since their Queen’s Award win for the Marsden Patient Transfer Scale.

The presentation of the award was made to Chief Executive, Mark Holdaway, during a special visit to Marsden by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Mr Andrew Coombe, who presented the company with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation. The presentation was also attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Rotherham as well as the local Chamber of Commerce.

Marsden earned the prestigious award, in recognition for the work undertaken to pioneer and develop the unique Patient Transfer Scale, which helps to ensure an accurate weight is taken prior to vital life-saving treatment for patients admitted to hospital.

Rothbiz reported on the award success for the Templeborough firm in April.

Co-invented by nurse Gillian Taylor, Marsden worked with its partners including Scottish Health Innovations Limited and NHS Lanarkshire to develop Gillian’s original idea and successfully launched it in 2018. Today, the product can be found in more than 65% of all NHS Trusts across the UK and it is also sold worldwide.

The success of Marsden’s Patient Transfer Scale has coincided with a significant period of growth for the business and has also seen the company create a number of new roles within the business, including the appointment of a new Product and Commercial Director, who will be responsible for developing more new innovative products within the healthcare sector.

Following the success enjoyed with its Patient Transfer Scale, Marsden has also recently launched a new portable weighing scale, designed to help community-based nurses and health visitors take accurate weight measurements of wheelchair-bound patients.

Advertisement
Mark Holdaway, Chief Executive, Marsden said: “Receiving the Queen’s Award for Enterprise from the Lord Lieutenant was, without doubt, the highlight of a very special year for Marsden, one which saw us celebrate our 95th anniversary.

“The success of the Patient Transfer Scale is the result of the observations of a nurse, who spotted an opportunity to solve a patient care problem. Working with our partners we were able to help her transform her initial idea into a highly effective product which helps thousands of healthcare workers across the world to obtain accurate weights for critically ill patients, enabling potentially life-saving medication to be administered. Gillian Taylor continues to work as a Clinical Consultant for Marsden to help engage and support UK and international customers.

“Since securing the Queen’s Award, we’ve not rested on our laurels. We have enjoyed a significant period of growth enabling us to invest in expanding internationally, bring new products to market, create new jobs and ultimately help healthcare professionals to deliver a better patient experience.”

Mr Andrew Coombe, Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire said: “The Queen’s Award for Enterprise was created to recognise the outstanding achievements of businesses across the UK and with a long history of innovation and the success Marsden has achieved with its Patient Transfer Scale, the award is well deserved.

“Marsden is a terrific example of the incredible work which is being undertaken by the manufacturing sector in South Yorkshire. The success they have enjoyed is helping to showcase the incredible work being undertaken by businesses across the region.”

Established in 1926, Marsden specialises in producing a range of bespoke weighing solutions to the healthcare, veterinary and industrial sectors. In 2001 the company opened a dedicated manufacturing facility within Rotherham and is a member of the UK Weighing Federation and is accredited by SGS Limited.

Marsden website

Images: Marsden

Read more...

News: AMRC gives legs to ambitious exercise concept

Design and prototyping expertise from the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) helped a former GP to prove out an ambitious idea for a new way of exercising that maintains leg and hip mobility, turning it into a feasible design concept.

For many years, Bill Morrison worked as a GP and in that time became aware of a mobility threshold that he, and many of his patients, encountered when reaching a certain age. This spurred Bill on to explore new ways of exercising and led to him developing an idea for a device that could help prevent immobility.

“The impact on the body of sitting down for long periods of time throughout our lives is huge; it’s not something we’re biomechanically meant to do,” said Bill. “When we lose our mobility, it impacts on everything in our lives and I had an idea for how to reverse this problem, a way of exercising which would prevent people becoming immobile.

“My work with the AMRC was about exploring whether it was possible to turn this idea into a reality. They’ve shown me what is physically possible to achieve and brought the idea to the point that I now know the engineering works. I am a one-man business and could not have achieved progress like this without the support from the AMRC.”

The AMRC is part of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult and the project was paid for using funds from the HVM Catapult as part of a commitment to working with small and medium-sized enterprises.

On the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, a dedicated medical workshop is housed within the AMRC Design Prototyping and Testing Centre.

Advertisement
Marcus Crossley, Senior Project Manager in the AMRC’s Design and Prototyping Group, said: “Bill is an entrepreneur with ambitions to develop a new way of exercising the legs and hips, for everything from rehabilitation to supporting elite level performance.

“He worked first with our colleagues at AMRC North West, looking at a proof of concept for an innovative mechanism that enables an alternative body motion during exercising than what is currently available using equipment in gyms or hospitals. This work proved the concept was feasible, and Bill then came to work with us here at the AMRC in Sheffield to take the design forward.

“We worked with him to produce a CAD model and prototype of the mechanism which enabled us to prove out the principles and understand how it behaved. An important part of the work we did here was to simplify the original complex ideas behind the mechanism.

“This was a design which for a long time only existed in one person’s head. We were able to make it real and along the way suggest alternative ideas for how the same outcomes could be achieved using a more straightforward method. We also explored the potential for integrating digital technology into the device.

“The next stage was to produce a functioning 3D printed and laser cut plastic version of the mechanism so we could prove, as quickly and cheaply as possible, that it worked as intended. We were also able to recommend modifications which mean the device will be easier to manufacture and assemble. The next stage will be to design and prototype the device in its entirety and conduct trials with people using it to test its performance.

“We have worked with Bill through several stages of this process. Ultimately, this project has been about taking an ambitious and creative idea in one person’s head and working through the different stages needed to turn this into a practical, working version. At the AMRC we are able, relatively quickly and cost effectively, to work with a small business like this to explore such an idea and make it a reality.”

Bill added: “The next step for me is to try out the mechanism with people and see if it performs in the way I expect it to. I would recommend working with the AMRC to any small business with big ambitions to explore what might be possible.”

AMRC website

Images: AMRC

Read more...

News: Recruitment surge at Bluetree

Following unprecedented growth and an investment of £18m over the past year, the Rotherham-based print and medical manufacturer Bluetree Group is recruiting for 60 new positions to help meet the growing demand of its services.

Roles are available across both the print and medical branches of the Manvers business, including machine operatives and Client Service Executives.

Bluetree Group is the UK’s fastest growing printer and in 2020 became the UK’s first manufacturer of Type IIR Surgical masks.

Since the medical arm of the company was established in April 2020, Bluetree has grown from 360 employees to in excess of 585, and is now looking for more like-minded people to join the business.

The company prides itself on producing high quality yet affordable products through investing in the latest technology, optimising its manufacturing processes, and nurturing its employees to meet the ever-growing demand of its customers.

Successful applicants will be working for an award-winning company that has twice appeared in the Virgin Sunday Times Fast Track 100.

Advertisement
Specialising in print for 32 years, Bluetree Group recently expanded into the medical field following a rise in demand for Type IIR Surgical masks, building a dedicated manufacturing facility in a neighbouring unit on their Manvers site. Bluetree Medical is now a proud supplier for the NHS.

To keep up with this high level of growth, there are now 60 positions available across the business. As Bluetree prides itself on its people, candidates will be assessed on values such as positivity to ensure a good team fit during the interview process.

Jarred Stone, who recently joined Bluetree Group, said: “I joined Bluetree last September and by the start of the new year, I’d progressed to a team leader position. This just goes to show that if you put in the effort and show that you fit the company values, there’s plenty of scope for progression.

“I love the job, I love the people and I love the attitude – everyone’s working towards the same goal, and knowing that we’re making a huge difference in the community by manufacturing Type IIR Surgical masks is the best feeling of all.”

A number of trainee positions will be available through the Government Kickstart Scheme, which provides funding to create new job placements for 16- to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

Blutree Group website

Images: Bluetree

Read more...

News: Isopharm acquired

Entrepreneur, Andrew Kemp, has overseen the acquisition of his software business that started life being nurtured through its crucial early stages in Rotherham.

Software firm, CODE, recently completed the acquisition of Sheffield-based Isopharm, a specialist provider of knowledge, training and products to those conducting the decontamination of medical products. The acquisition brings together a market leading compliance platform with the largest provider of online CPD for dental practitioners, creating a market leader in dental compliance.

Back in 1999 Andrew developed his business idea of a computerised temperature monitoring system for checking the performance of sterilising equipment used in hospitals and other medical establishments. Its validation systems and software offerings became the benchmark solution for healthcare engineers carrying out testing on decontamination equipment.

From his office in his parents' home, then-called Sentry Products Ltd, found help from Rotherham Youth Enterprise (RYE), who offered him grant-aided rented space at its Treeton Youth Business Support Centre. Further support, development and growth saw the business move into premises at Maltby.

In 2005 the business was able to make a reverse take-over of another company, Isopharm, operating in the same field and this soon required another change of premises.

As a result, the business moved to a business complex in the grounds of Sandbeck Park at Firbeck. Another move followed to Parkgate but in 2016, it outgrew its Rotherham offices and moved to a site in Sheffield.

Advertisement
Investment firm, August Equity completed the acquisition of CODE in 2019 and following four years of dialogue between Isopharm and August Equity, a deal was concluded earlier this year.

Andrew Kemp, founder of Isopharm, said: "CODE is the perfect platform for the next stage of innovative solutions we had planned at Isopharm; we are delighted to be joining forces”.

James Bakewell, director at August Equity and CODE, added: "We are thrilled to have been able to unite CODE and Isopharm to create a highly unique and strategic compliance-focussed business in a market that offers significant opportunity. The combination of software-led compliance solutions and online training to the healthcare market is exciting – a market that’s undergoing a technology-focussed structural shift. We are extremely excited about combining the businesses and working closely with Andrew and the team at Isopharm."

August Equity raised its 5th fund, of £309m, in January 2020, enabling the continuation of its strategy to invest in high growth, exciting businesses.

Isopharm website

Images: Isopharm

Read more...

News: AMRC 3D print protective face shields for NHS workers

Thousands of protective face visors to help keep frontline NHS workers safe in the fight against Covid-19 are being made by a team at the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

Engineers from the AMRC's Design and Prototyping Group (DPG) have responded to the national call to produce more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers by using technologies such as 3D printing and laser cutting to make up to 1,000 face visors per week.

The shop floor at the centre, on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, has been transformed into an assembly production line and the team worked tirelessly over the Easter weekend to deliver the first batch of 934 protective face shields to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital on Easter Monday. An additional 1,000 visors were on there way to the Northern General Hospital the following week.

Joe Palmer, the Senior Design and Development Engineer who is leading the AMRC's response, said the team had coordinated its efforts with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to ensure visors are being delivered to the local hospitals with the greatest need.

He said: "We know these visors are needed now and not in a few weeks' time, so we’re really pleased that we were able to get almost 1,000 out of the door by Monday and into the hands of the frontline NHS workers who so desperately need them in order to stay protected as they battle this deadly virus to save lives.

Advertisement

"When the visors were delivered to the medical stores department at the Hallamshire Hospital, everyone there was really appreciative and that was a real boost for our team.

"The AMRC is so grateful to those who have stepped up to help. It's not just been technical staff from the design team - we’ve had everyone from receptionists, composites engineers and senior project managers volunteer to help with the assembly.

"The manufacture of these visors has required an enormous amount of effort from a great many people and I want to thank everyone involved. People have been working in shifts for the past 12 days, working over the Easter weekend and on Easter Monday to make sure we could get this crucial kit to healthcare workers. It certainly would not have been possible without such a great team."

Craig Roberts, Head of the Design and Prototyping Group, added: "My hat goes off to everyone involved. The team has done a fantastic job and it's very humbling to see how quickly, safely, and effectively the AMRC can rise to a challenge."

The request for help to make face visors came less than a fortnight ago as demand for vital PPE kit for healthcare workers continued to grow nationwide.

Joe, who also teaches the next generation of engineers at the AMRC Training Centre, also on the AMP, quickly pulled together a team to see how the AMRC could help meet the national need by using advanced manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing, also known as additive manufacture (AM).

But before they could fire up the printers and begin the rapid manufacture and assembly of face shields, they first had to choose a suitable design, carry out test prints, source material and transform the workshop into an assembly line - all while maintaining the necessary social distancing and personal hygiene measures for coronavirus, as well as the usual fire marshal and first aid cover.

Another problem was getting hold of the clear film material for the actual visor, called PETG.


Last week Rothbiz reported on the AMRC's key role in the national response to Covid-19, helping Ventilator Challenge UK to produce an additional 50,000 ventilators for the NHS.

Images: AMRC

Read more...

News: Engineers address ventilator challenge

Engineers based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham are working together with other businesses from across the aerospace, automotive and medical sectors, to produce medical ventilators for the UK.

As part of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult, the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and the Nuclear AMRC are are involved in the challenge to investigate production of a range of ventilator design options to meet a high-level specification for a rapidly manufactured ventilator system (RMVS) developed by clinicians and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The consortium has evaluated all requirements to design, manufacture, assemble and test components, as well as finished medical ventilators. Formal orders from the government in excess of 10,000 units have already been made.

The AMRC is a network of world-leading research and innovation centres working with manufacturing companies of any size from around the globe. Its multimillion pound facilities on the AMP include the Medical AMRC which has multi-disciplined engineers from a wide range of industrial backgrounds that have extensive experience in solving problems through engineering design, product development and access to clinical expertise.

Members of the ventilator challenge consortium include many members of the AMRC such as Rolls-Royce and GKN Aerospace.

Advertisement

The consortium has assessed production of an agreed new design, based on existing technologies, which can be assembled from materials and parts in current production. Manufacturing will begin in early April at the Welsh Government-owned facility at Broughton, which is managed by The AMRC.

Dick Elsy, the High Value Manufacturing Catapult's chief executive, said: "This consortium brings together some of the most innovative companies in the world. Every day, their highly-skilled staff collaborate to create solutions that help millions of people, and this project is no different. They are working together with incredible determination and energy to scale up production of much-needed ventilators and combat a virus that is affecting people in many countries. I am confident this consortium has the skills and tools to make a difference and save lives."

MetLase is another AMP-based company whose expertise is being used in the rapid development and manufacture of ventilators to meet increased hospital requirements, caused by COVID-19.

The joint venture between Rolls-Royce and the Unipart Group is a mechanical engineering consultancy that specialises in increasing productivity by designing and manufacturing complex tooling, fixturing and components for a wide range of industries, often bringing lead times of months down to just days.

A cluster of leading medical device development companies from Cambridge are working with MetLase on the challenge which they described as "taking a development process that would normally take 5-6 years and attempting to deliver within 5-6 weeks, against the background of distributed teams observing government separation guidelines."

AMRC website
Nuclear AMRC website
MetLase website

Images: Cambridge Consultants

Read more...

News: Rotherham's Harvest Healthcare sold

Prism Medical Healthcare, backed by London-based private equity investors Limerston Capital, has completed the acquisition of Rotherham-based Harvest Healthcare Ltd for an undisclosed sum.

The deal comes a year after a management buyout (MBO).

Prism Medical are providers of specialist moving, handling and bathing equipment for elderly, disabled and mobility disadvantaged clients in a range of care environments, from community care to schools, hospitals and care homes.

Based at Templeborough, Harvest Healthcare manufacture and distribute quality healthcare equipment to the NHS, care home and community markets, throughout the UK and internationally. The company manufactures, supplies and services active and static mattresses and cushions, profiling beds, and moving and handling equipment. It has long term relationships with several national blue-chip care home groups as well as serving most local authorities around the country.

Stuart Meldrum, chief executive officer of Prism Medical said: "The investment from Limerston Capital has been vital to our growth strategy. This acquisition will significantly increase the size of our business and demonstrates the commitment of our investors; Limerston Capital, to the continued growth of Prism Medical. We would like to thank our financing banks HSBC and Investec for their continued support on our growth strategy."

The acquisition of Harvest allows Prism Medical to enter the pressure area care market and substantially increase the group's reach in care homes, hospitals and loan stores.

Harvest managing director Neil Davis will join the Prism Medical Executive Management Team, heading up the Long-Term Care business, ensuring the Harvest brand continues to provide high-quality care solutions to healthcare environments across the UK.

Davis said: "I am proud to have the opportunity to lead Harvest forward into this exciting new era, and to continue the positive development of our company. I really enjoy working with the fantastic people in this industry and am very happy that our new ownership structure will help us to continue our successful growth, to the shared benefit of our customers, our staff, and our supply chain partners."

Advertisement

Yorkshire-based dealmakers Castle Square Corporate Finance; who advised the Harvest management team back in 2018 on the MBO, provided corporate finance advice to the shareholders on the disposal to Prism Medical.

The Sheffield office of law firm Keebles provided legal services and advice to the shareholders of Harvest Healthcare.

Director Kevan Shaw and Patrick Lynch from the Castle Square Team advised the Harvest shareholders on the transaction.

Lynch said: "Since joining Harvest in 2017, Neil Davis led on the company's transformation, leading on Harvest's emergence as a first-class provider of high-quality products, services and solutions to blue-chip care providers. The quality of the Harvest product offering is testament to the hard work of the management team in recent years. The acquisition by Prism presents, a tremendous opportunity for Harvest, its customers, staff, suppliers and partners across the globe as it enters its next stage of growth under the Prism Group."

Led by Corporate Partner Matt Ainsworth and supported by Associate Laura Giles, the Keebles corporate team provided legal advice and support to the Harvest shareholders on the transaction.

Ainsworth said: "We are delighted to have worked with Neil and his team at Harvest Healthcare again. Harvest is a natural fit for the Prism Medical group and helps to accelerate its impressive growth whilst adding high calibre people to its business to drive that forward. We wish Neil well in the next stage of Harvest’s journey."

Andrew Cowan and Matthew Smith of Gateley Legal's Birmingham office provided legal advice to Prism Medical. Rob McCarthy and Steve Grogan of RSM's Manchester office provided financial and tax due diligence advice to Prism Medical.

Peter Hollis of Hollis & Co Chartered Accountants based in Sheffield provided tax advice to the Harvest Shareholders.

Harvest Healthcare website

Images: Harvest Healthcare

Read more...

News: Marsden to scale up growth following sale

Rotherham-based Marsden Weighing Group has been sold to Alcuin Capital Partners, and the management team, led by managing director Richard Black.

Based at Templeborough, Marsden manufactures a wide range of weighing scales and devices that are used in hospitals, veterinary surgeries and in industry. It provides a bespoke weighing scale manufacturing service to 23 countries worldwide.

The complex deal sees the long-time family shareholders step away from the company.

Richard Black, managing director of Marsden, said: "I'm excited for the future and the opportunity to drive this business through its next stage of growth alongside Alcuin. I would like to thank RSM and EMW for their hard work and professionalism in getting the deal over the line."

Nick Seaman, partner at Alcuin Capital Partners, added: "Marsden is going through an exciting period of growth having recently launched a unique product to the global medical market.This represents the first of an exciting pipeline of NPD.

"We are delighted to be supporting the business to take both these new products and their existing product base to the NHS and healthcare organisations globally."

Advertisement

Two separate teams at law firm, EMW, advised the exiting shareholders and the new management team on this transaction.

Gurpreet Sanghera, partner at EMW, said: "A key objective for the retiring family shareholders was that this transition allows Marsden to continue to grow its strong brand reputation within the UK and globally. With Richard continuing to lead the management team, supported by Alcuin as strategic partner they have certainly achieved this.

"This is an exciting time for Marsden as they embark on the global launch of their market leading product. It was an absolute pleasure to be part of this deal team and we look forward to continuing to work with Marsden on future projects."

RSM's M&A and Private Equity team advised the exiting shareholders of Marsden and Castle Corporate Finance advised the incumbent management team on the terms being offered by Alcuin.

Clodagh Tunney, corporate finance director for RSM, said: "It’s been a pleasure working with the Marsden shareholders to help them achieve their exit aspirations and to find a partner to support the continued growth of the business. We wish the shareholders, Alcuin and the management team all the best as they start this new chapter."

Rothbiz reported last year that Marsden had successfully brought to market a unique, revolutionary idea that could change the way immobile patients are weighed.

Marsden website

Images: Marsden

Read more...

News: AMRC develops digital operating theatre

Technology which could advance patient care and improve patient safety during surgery, has been developed at the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

A Digital Operating Theatre proof of concept demonstrator has been created at the centre's Design and Prototyping Group (DPG), based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

Project engineers Sam Hyde, Jonathan Gomez, Liam Overett, Ross Eaves and Rob Stacey, under the guidance of Digital Design Manager David King and AMRC Medical Lead Malcolm Brown worked with surgical teams on the project which combines a virtual reality digital twin, projection mapping and smart tools, allowing the position of objects and clinicians to be accurately tracked in the theatre space, with relevant information displayed digitally using screens, projections and augmented reality devices.

Using similar technology used for CGI movies, retroreflective markers are placed on clinicians and objects then the camera tracking system tracks each of these points down to 0.2mm and updates the position 120 times a second. Projection mapping techniques are used at the AMRC's Factory 2050 for work instructions.

Advertisement

Sam Hyde said: "Everything in the Digital Operating Theatre demonstrator is replicated in the virtual reality on a one-to-one scale, with 100% accuracy, so we can position an avatar or surgical device in real time.

"The virtual reality allows someone to view the theatre from any angle with no physical restraints. During a surgery you can look over the surgeon’s shoulder to see exactly how they are doing what they are doing. You could call up an expert on the other side of the world to provide advice and help you when you are in the middle of a surgical procedure."

It is hoped the Digital Operating Theatre could help overcome the physical restraints of teaching medical students.

Nicholas Lee, Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "The technology used is very innovative. Concepts like smart tooling, the virtual theatre and virtual reality are all new to me.

"I really feel very strongly that the Digital Operating Theatre has the potential to improve the environment staff work within, advance the care we provide to our patients, aid teaching and training but, most importantly, has the potential to improve patient safety."

Medical AMRC website

Images: AMRC

Read more...

News: Rotherham dental practice changes hands

Rayner & Horscraft Dental Surgery in Rotherham has been sold through specialist business property adviser Christie & Co to a local, first time buyer.

The long established business enjoys a prominent location in Wath town centre and a strong reputation in the community, having been operating for over 70 years. Comprising two well-fitted surgeries, the NHS practice also benefits from an unopposed trading position in the local area.

Having been run by the previous partners for 27 years, they decided to move on to retire. the previous owners said: "After speaking to a number of dental agents we decided to instruct Christie & Co to sell our expense-sharing practice as we felt they produced the most comprehensive sales package for us.

"We are very grateful to Jonathan Watson for working hard for us and helping to achieve our goal. Selling a dental practice is a rocky ride at times, but we are there now and delighted with the outcome."

Advertisement

Principal Amir Arif is the new owner. He said: "I am delighted with the purchase, it is such a lovely practice to work in. I am now looking to refurbish the building and maintain the good reputation built up over the years."

Rayner & Horscraft Dental Surgery was sold for £675,000 plus the freehold interest.

Jonathan Watson, associate director – medical at Christie & Co, said: "This is yet another example of the continued appetite for profitable NHS practices in the North of England. Whilst some operators in South Yorkshire have faced challenges with recruitment, others have seen it as an ideal time to acquire dental practices. We generated multiple viewings and offers for this practice which shows the strength of the market right now."

Christie & Co website

Images: Christie & Co

Read more...

News: AME Group's "gamechanging" work in medical sector

AME Group, a leading prototype manufacturer that is based in Dinnington, Rotherham, has highlighted the role of good design in healthcare - an industry driven by innovation.

The growing company combines a team of creative designers and technical designers who work on new products and create high-specification prototypes using 3D printing technology for customers including Dyson, GlaxoSmithKline, Hornby, Morphy Richards and Unilever.

The business was founded in 1997 after managing director Ian Jones - a mechanical engineering graduate, who cut his teeth working at the Selby coalfield - was made redundant from his job with British Coal. It is now based on the site of the former Dinnington Colliery.

In the company's "Gamechanger" publication, Tim Stern, design manager at AME Group, said: "In order to relieve the strain on hospitals and doctors' surgeries, patients will be increasingly relied on to use remote diagnostic and monitoring devices. This raises some big issues for the designers of medical devices.

"The increased reliance on patients to use equipment means that products will need to have an intuitive design that is easy to use. Devices will also need to deliver quick results that are easy to interpret.

"As the medical space becomes more crowded, hardware and user interface design will become key differentiators, with buyers more likely to factor user experience into their purchasing decisions."

Advertisement

One such product that AME group has worked on is MicroBioSensor (pictured, below) - supporting the University of Manchester spinout company to develop potential applications for its detection chemistries into commercially viable products.

A number of prototypes were developed to address the problem of medical device use actually increasing risks of patients contracting an infection. The outcome is an early warning device that, with a simple change of colour, identifies an escalating infection and the appropriate treatment. The device fights multi-drug resistance by improving the management of effective antibiotic drugs, facilitating care away from hospitals and reducing pressure on the healthcare system.

Another product where the focus is on the user is RapidRhythm (pictured, top), which could soon reduce heart screening times by over 80%.

User-centric design from AME Group has helped to develop a wireless handheld device that allows heart patients to be screened in just 90 seconds. The current screening method is an electrocardiogram (ECG) test, a procedure that takes up to 20 minutes.

RapidRhythm requires less training than traditional ECG and provides fewer failed readings.

The product was engineered in 3D CAD, with a number of test prototypes created using AME's in-house facilities. This enabled engineers to assess the design, highlight issues and minimise the risk and potential costs of resolving them at a later date.

AME's low volume production facilities will be used to manufacture a small quantity of the devices, which will be used to validate the Rapid Rhythm product in the field.

AME Group website

Images: AME Group

Read more...

News: Kirkstall secures export deal

Rotherham biotechnology company, Kirkstall Ltd, has secured an export deal which is expected to result in its advanced cell culture system being used by researchers around the world.

Based in Templeborough, the firm is pioneering the Quasi Vivo System that provides "in-vivo" like conditions for cell growth.

Kirkstall was established in 2006 and has an exclusive world-wide licence for patented cell culture technology from the University of Pisa in Italy. The technology, often referred to as "organ on a chip", provides a way to model the behaviour of multiple human organs interconnected by a flow system that mimics the flow of blood in the body.

Kirkstall recently signed a worldwide marketing and distribution agreement with a leading Swiss life-science company, Lonza.

Lonza Group is a multinational, chemicals and biotechnology company that is headquartered in Basel and employs over 14,000 full time employees in over 30 countries. Sales for 2017 hit CHF 4.6 billion (£2.6 billion).

Advertisement

A common issue faced by drug discovery scientists who use conventional in vitro culture systems is their poor translatability to humans. To address this problem, Kirkstall developed the Quasi Vivo System, which consists of interconnected cell-culture chambers and a peristaltic pump to create a continuous flow of media over cells. As a result, cultures are exposed to more physiologically relevant conditions, increasing the predictive value of in vitro experiments.

Dr Malcolm Wilkinson, CEO of Kirkstall, said: "The Quasi Vivo System complements so many of Lonza's existing products. It is already used in more than 70 labs worldwide across a wide variety of applications, and we look forward to working closely with Lonza to ensure the number of researchers benefiting from the system increases rapidly."

Braveheart Investment Group plc, the fund management and strategic investor group, owns around 40% of Kirkstall and added that it sees this deal as a significant step in the roll-out of Kirkstall's Quasi Vivo technology, giving the company access to Lonza's sales team across the world and product shipments have already commenced to Germany and the US.

In September 2017, Rothbiz reported that the board of Kirkstall was seeking to raise up to £2.5m in a private placing at a pre-money valuation of £5.6m.

Braveheart believes that if the private placing is successful it would transform Kirkstall, allowing it to rapidly expand the Quasi Vivo product portfolio to meet the requests of existing customers. It would also strengthen the sales and technical teams, in order to support distributors at the same time sales building direct sales.

Kirkstall website

Images: Kirkstall

Read more...

News: Rotherham biotech firm looking for £2.5m funding boost

Rotherham biotechnology company, Kirkstall Ltd, has commenced an investor marketing exercise as it looks to secure £2.5m.

Based in Templeborough, the firm is pioneering an advanced cell culture system that provides "in-vivo" like conditions for cell growth.

Kirkstall was established in 2006 and has an exclusive world-wide licence for patented cell culture technology from the University of Pisa in Italy. The technology, often referred to as "organ on a chip", provides a way to model the behaviour of multiple human organs interconnected by a flow system that mimics the flow of blood in the body.

Braveheart Investment Group plc, the fund management and strategic investor group, owns some 43% of the of the issued share capital of Kirkstall Ltd (37.65% on a fully diluted basis) and announced to the stock exchange that the board of Kirkstall is seeking to raise up to £2.5m in a private placing at a pre-money valuation of £5.6m.

Braveheart said that the original cost price of its investment was £287,000 and added that it does not currently intend to participate in the placing.

A further announcement is expected in due course.

Advertisement

Braveheart first invested in Kirkstall in mid 2016. It said that it saw the company had a world leading technology in a market that is forecast to grow at 38% annually. The group has continued to invest in Kirkstall increasing its percentage holding from 32% to 38%.

In December 2016, Lush Cosmetics announced that Kirkstall had a won top prize at its global awards ceremony for innovation and training in the use of its Quasi Vivo products as a leading alternative to animal testing for cosmetics and drug development. Kirkstall has been using the prize money to deliver more training events for researchers in the EU and US who want to use the system.

Kirkstall's products are already being used by researchers in the development of drugs, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and personal care products. The technology is the outcome of over ten years of research and the firm has developed this into a commercially available, inter-connected cell culture system which can be set up so that it mimics the human metabolism, resulting in high quality, rather than just high throughput screening.

In 2007, Kirkstall won the Venturefest Investment competition and went on to secure further seed funding from the South Yorkshire Investment Fund.

Headquartered in Perth, Braveheart includes Viking Fund Managers which manages the £48m Finance Yorkshire Equity Fund.

Kirkstall Ltd website
Braveheart Investment Group website

Images: Kirkstall

Read more...

News: AMRC invents game-changing hybrid 3D printing process

Engineers at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing have developed a unique hybrid 3D printing process.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the AMRC is a world leading model partnership between industry and academia that focuses on advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors. Its Design and Prototyping Group, which includes the Medical AMRC, develop everything from conceptual designs, to fully functional prototypes for a range of industries.

The group has developed a patent-pending process it calls "THREAD" where electrical, optical and structural elements can be introduced throughout an additively manufactured component as it is being made.

It has so far been successfully demonstrated on machines used for 3D printing polymer components and will be an advantage in the manufacture of components requiring encapsulated electronics. Components such as those used in medical prosthetics, consumer electronics or structural components that require electrical connections and until now, would have been secured externally to the component.

Advertisement

In the medical sector, the introduction of digital monitoring systems to implants could pave the way for real-time diagnosis that prevents contamination and provides a more accurate way to monitor the condition of artificial prosthetics.

In the aerospace sector, integrating remote real-time data services would enable the continuous monitoring of vital aerospace components such as wing parts, fuel ducts and engine systems. This could allow for more accurate insight into the condition of costly and advanced equipment.

Mark Cocking, AMRC development engineer and AM specialist, said: "THREAD has scope to simultaneously add multiple industry-recognised threads of differing materials into one component, giving the component additional functions. This will open AM up to a greater variety of uses.

"The development of this process is a potential game-changer. It could be used across many sectors such as medical, aerospace and automotive; where weight and size of components is critical or where components would benefit from integrated data transfer and the protection of sealed connective tracks."

"THREAD has potential to be developed as an add-on technology for existing AM platforms and also incorporated into next generation AM technologies."

Re-thinking the design process, the AMRC are further developing the THREAD process and technology for various commercial markets.

Chris Iveson, who is driving the commercialisation of the technology, said: "We see THREAD transforming the functionality of additively manufactured components. Feedback from our contacts in various industries indicates a real need for this capability, with new potential applications being discussed daily. This is a great example of the AMRC using its unique expertise to solve real industry problems."

AMRC website

Images: AMRC

Read more...

News: Medical AMRC test the boundaries of new 3D printer

Engineers from the University of Sheffield Medical Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (ARMC) have used a new 3D printer to create a model of the delicate structure deep inside the ear called the labyrinth.

Based in the centre's Design, Prototyping & Testing Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the Medical AMRC sits alongside the current AMRC, a world class centre for advanced machining and materials research, and has access to all the current resources but with a dedicated team which specifically focuses on the medical technologies sector.

Glen Watson, an ENT Surgeon at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield needed a more accurate model to help him demonstrate benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) to patients and educate them about possible treatments.

After a chance meeting with an AMRC engineer, it was decided that a new piece of 3D printing equipment acquired by the AMRC could be used to design and build a model for Glen that would fulfil his requirements.

BPPV is caused by displaced calcium carbonate crystals from one part of the balance organ into another part (the semi-circular canals) that stabilise vision on head movement. As a result of crystal debris floating around in the canals, confusing signals are sent to the brain causing brief but intense spinning sensations on looking up, down and often turning over in bed.

Advertisement

A simple but effective treatment is to recognise the condition and perform a liberating or repositioning manoeuvre, to move the crystals into a part of the balance organ where they cause no further problem; akin to completing a ball-in-a-maze puzzle.

Glen Watson said: "Most of the models of the labyrinth concentrated on the cochlea with limited, or no models demonstrating the disease process of BPPV in the semi-circular canals. This made it difficult to explain BPPV to patients and explain how it is treated.

"When I talked about "crystals" that were loose in their head I often received odd looks! The model that Medical ARMC has produced on their 3D printer will enable patients to visualise what is happening and understand the disease in a simple fashion."

The Medical AMRC decided to test the limits of their new FormLabs Form2 3D resin printer and offer to design and print a model of the labyrinth, demonstrating the semi-circular canals, free of charge as a test piece for their new capabilities. The model would be complete with movable crystals that could be seen from the outside.

Valdis Krumins, project engineer at the AMRC, said: "The project for Glen helped us commission and test our new Form2 3D printer. It was a useful learning process stretching the capabilities, and using the whole working envelope of the machine.

"Laser printing in resin allows us to print in translucent material and in high-definition with small intricate details compared to standard fused deposition modelling processes."

Medical AMRC website

Images: Medical AMRC

Read more...

News: Medical AMRC helping to create "social height" mobility device

Researchers from the Medical Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) are working with a former soldier who caught a devastating disease in Afghanistan to develop an advanced mobility aid that could change the lives of millions of disabled people.

Corporal Phil Eaglesham contracted Q Fever – also known as Helmand Fever - during active service in Afghanistan. The former Royal Marine Commando, who was part of Britain’s Paralympic Squad in Brazil, is forced to rely increasingly on mobility devices as his condition deteriorates and his reliance has led him to try and create something more suitable for every user.

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing is a world class centre for advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors. It secured funding to move into new areas and the Medical AMRC ensures the results of internationally significant research are developed into products and brought to market quickly and cost effectively.

Based in the centre's Design, Prototyping & Testing Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, the Medical AMRC sits alongside the current AMRC and has access to all the current resources but with a dedicated team which will specifically focus on the medical technologies sector.

Phil, his wife Julie and businessman Brian Meaden, set up Conquering Horizons to try and create a mobility device with none of the drawbacks of conventional wheelchairs and scooters. With funding support from the Royal Marines Charity, Conquering Horizons called in the Medical AMRC to assess whether the concept was feasible and create the beginnings of the design.

Phil identified six key failings affecting current mobility devices, all of which are being addressed by VICTOR, the new device being developed at the Medical AMRC.

VICTOR incorporates an adjustable lifting device that can raise users to a "social height," enabling them to look people in the eye, avoid being talked down to and sit at the right height to eat or work.

It is designed to tackle difficult terrain, mount kerbs, fit through standard doorways and manoeuvre easily, thanks to multi-directional wheels that give it a turning circle just slightly larger than its wheel base. VICTOR is also modular, so that it can be modified as a user's condition changes and is designed to look good.

Advertisement

Marcus Crossley from the Medical AMRC said: "VICTOR has a completely fresh, modern appearance that is far-removed from the stigmatising, institutionalised image of existing devices.

"Our aim, from the outset, has been to create a device that able-bodied people would want to be seen on."

Julie Eaglesham from Conquering Horizons, added: "Having this device will enable Phil, millions like him, to gain a more active, independent and normal life.

"This will not only give them an amazing physical advantage but will also have a hugely positive impact on their mental health, and allow them to lead a more active and involved life.

"For Phil, in his role as a father of three lively boys, the ability to travel on most surfaces or terrains and the support, comfort and control of a device that he has complete confidence in, will be revolutionary."

Researchers from the Medical AMRC travelled to London to speak at a launch and fund raising event at the Imperial War Museum.

Marcus Crossley added: "Phil is an inspirational person and raising money to develop Victor could have a major impact on the lives of millions who need to use mobility devices and their families.

"VICTOR needs more development work in order to get to a position where it can be sold to the public and we are actively supporting Conquering Horizons as it seeks to raise the necessary finance through its crowdfunding appeal."

VICTOR website
Medical AMRC

Images: Conquering Horizons

Read more...

News: Medical AMRC turning research into reality

Researchers from the Medical Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) have helped an innovative orthopaedic products company develop a new type of surgical screw that improves the process for surgeons and the lives of their patients.

The development is the brainchild of world leading surgeons and Huddersfield-based Innovate Orthopaedics (IO), a new partnership launched to challenge the status quo in the orthopaedic sports medicine market by developing products that directly incorporate the insights and experience world leading sports surgeons have gained in the operating theatre to solve problems.

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing is a world class centre for advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors. It secured funding to move into new areas and the Medical AMRC ensures the results of internationally significant research are developed into products and brought to market quickly and cost effectively.

Based in the centre's Design, Prototyping & Testing Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, the Medical AMRC sits alongside the current AMRC and has access to all the current resources but with a dedicated team which will specifically focus on the medical technologies sector.

IO asked the Medical AMRC to evaluate two new designs it had developed for specialised orthopaedic screws. The screws are designed for specific surgical procedures, including reconstructing the knee's anterior cruciate ligament, which can be torn during sports that involve sudden stops and changes in direction, such as football, rugby, tennis, skiing and basketball.

Reconstruction is carried out by inserting a piece of healthy tendon in place and securing it to the bone with a screw, over which the bone will grow.

Advertisement

Marcus Crossley, from the Medical AMRC, said: "We worked with IO to combine different aspects of their two designs and create one universal design that reduced the force needed to insert the screw while maintaining fixation.

"The benefits of using the new screw don't stop there, however. It helps the surgeon by engaging more rapidly with the ligament and bone when it is inserted and reduces the fatigue experienced by the surgeon and minimises damage to the replacement ligament."

The Medical AMRC showed how the universal design could be used to produce a wide range of screw sizes and worked with AMRC partner Star Micronics to develop the complex and unique CNC program that allowed prototype screws to be produced on a sliding head lathe. Tooling predominantly came from another AMRC partner, Sandvik Coromant and the Medical AMRC also helped IO choose Sheffield Precision Medical to carry out trial production runs and develop the complete range of screws.

Alex Gutteridge, founder of IO, said: "Clinical tests have produced extremely positive results and we are already seeing demand rising among British and international surgeons, who see the benefit of using these innovative, new designs.

"The Medical AMRC didn't only help us refine our designs and take them into production. It also helped us to create patentable technology which can be further protected by design registration and enabled us to quickly gain ISO 13485 medical devices quality approval and European CE marking.

"Our aim at IO is to create innovative medical devices that solve problems identified by the surgeons in order to achieve better results for their patients, without pushing up costs. The Medical AMRC has played a key part in helping us to achieve that aim with our first product."

IO website
Medical AMRC website

Images: Medical AMRC

Read more...

News: Solid start for Inspiration Healthcare

The healthcare group created when Rotherham company, Inditherm completed the acquisition of Inspiration Healthcare Limited in a reverse takeover, has reported an increase in sales and a solid start to the year.

Manvers-based Inditherm has developed products using low voltage carbon polymer technology to provide heat. Its systems are used for patients undergoing operations which carry risk of inadvertent hypothermia and in neonatal wards.

Inspiration was founded in Leicestershire in 2003 as a medical device distribution company focused on innovative products for critical care.

Reporting its financial results for the six months to July 31 2016, the AIM-listed firm had a growth in sales on a proforma basis by 10% to £7.1m compared to the same period in the previous year. International sales were up 19% with growth in the Americas and Europe.

The profit after tax was £361k, up from the £504k loss reported as the takeover was concluded in 2015.

Advertisement

The £7.2m reverse takeover came after Inditherm directors identified the need to make the business part of a larger entity, thereby allowing the medical business to grow with fewer constraints.

The latest results showed that operating room sales for the Inditherm Alpha range of perioperative patient warming systems showed an expected decline during a "difficult first half year."

The management team has identified and prioritised plans to improve the product in the short term as well as streamline the product offering and its promotion via a new sales team in the UK.

Spend on R&D is set to increase in the second half of the year with the board stating that there is untapped potential with the Inditherm Alpha system and the LifeStart system which facilitates the delaying of the clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord following childbirth by providing resuscitation at a newborn baby's bedside.

The company continues to support academics wishing to study the benefits that its products may bring. LifeStart is being used on studies both in Ireland and the United States of America and "interest in the LifeStart at the Paediatric Academic Society meeting (Baltimore) shows the concept of the product has great potential."

Inspiration Healthcare website

Images: Inspiration Healthcare

Read more...