Japanese fluoropolymer manufacturer Junkosha, best known in the Interventional Medical space for its peelable FEP Heat Shrink Tubing and PTFE Liners, has launched its Customer Charter in response to the market disruption the medical device sector has been experiencing.
With many organisations negatively impacted through being single sourced for their products, the move to a multi-sourced supply chain is one that Junkosha advocates and has incorporated in its future business plans. The Customer Charter describes Junkosha’s aspiration to be the best long-term partner by working alongside customers to fulfil their unmet needs.
As a sector, medical technology is an essential source of innovation that drives new interventional therapies. The devices and the components that enable new treatments constitute a vital market for patient wellbeing. It is therefore critical the sector responds to build a resilient supply chain that can serve the needs of customers and improve patient care globally.
Joe Rowan, president and CEO of Junkosha USA, explains: “As an industry we are facing challenging times with extended lead times occurring across the global supply chain. Although this is not a predicament of our making and there are elements of this situation that remain beyond our control, we are determined to meet this challenge on behalf of our customers. Junkosha’s Charter provides our customers with a blueprint for what they can expect from our teams. It also outlines a framework from which our teams can act quickly while exercising judgement that is consistent with our brand values.”
In response to current market disruption, Junkosha is in the process of aggressively investing in new capacity and have embarked on a new equipment installation and validation roll-out program. Over the next two years, Junkosha will be investing in its medical device manufacturing plant, with the aim to multiply output by a factor of three.
Kazu Arai, director of operations for Junkosha, said: “We have taken significant steps to meet the capacity needs that have caused uncertainty for our medical customers worldwide, by rapidly accelerating planned investments. Our commitment to supporting the supply of fluoropolymer components to this vital sector remains absolute. We recognise that a new multi-sourced supplier base is the inevitable future for our industry, and we will contribute to this in any way we can. We believe that providing transparency will enable device manufacturers to make informed decisions regarding inventory management.”