Specialty Blades acquires Popper and Sons

Specialty Blades Inc. (specialtyblades.com) and its medical-device division IncisionTech (incisiontech.com) have acquired specialty needle and metal-tubing manufacturer Popper and Sons Inc. (popperandsons.com) the firm's principle market segments include medical-device contract manufacturing, instrumentation and automation components for the life-science diagnostics markets, and industrial cutting components. The company has locations in Virginia, New York, and Rhode Island with total employment of about 240 and revenues over $35 million. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Laser manufacturer expands in Florida

Fonon Technology International (laserphotonics.com) has relocated to a 319,800 ft² facility in Lake Mary, Fla. Manufacturing gets 65% of the space and will help contribute to FTI's move towards lean manufacturing. The new building is over five times the size of the previous facility and will become the manufacturing hub for all FTI subsidiaries and divisions, to include Laser Photonics, a manufacturer of industrial equipment; Fonon DSS, a manufacturer of flat panel displays and semiconductor equipment; and Advanced Solar Photonics, a solar panel processing equipment manufacturer.

The new facility will accommodate development of a large format high power Fiber Laser cutting systems. The facility lets Fonon better meet client needs through a dedicated customer support team and larger production capabilities for standardized Fiber Laser marking systems. FTI will hold a stock inventory of standardized laser systems to shorten lead times and let FTI become one of the first manufacturers of standardized marking systems.

The new space also gives FTI one of the largest laser-application labs in the U.S. with more than 15,000 ft² dedicated to processing samples and performing research and development. The 100-employee firm expects to add 40 more.

Morgan Advanced Ceramics earns ISO 13356

Morgan Advanced Ceramics says its Y-ZTP Zirconia has received ISO13356 certification for “Implants for Surgery using Nonmetallic Materials.” The material is used in the manufacture of its ceramic injection-molded dental abutments and copings. These products offer dental practitioners and laboratories benefits such as biocompatibility, aesthetics, and volume manufacturing. The new approval gives customers confidence in the suitability of the material as an alternative to traditional titanium. A few advantages include better natural color match than titanium, better marginal tissue stability, and complex geometries manufactured accurately and with excellent repeatability.

PolyOne buys GLS

Specialized polymer manufacturer PolyOne Corp., Avon Lake, Ohio (polyone.com) has completed its acquisition of GLS Corp., a blender of specialty thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) for medical applications. This acquisition complements PolyOne's global engineered-materials business and accelerates the company's shift to specialization. GLS's specialty TPE technology, compounding expertise and brand, along with PolyOne's global infrastructure, enhances the combined technologies into a broader range of products, services, and solutions. GLS' senior management team will remain to lead the global TPE business unit, retaining the GLS name and brand. With about 200 employees, GLS has manufacturing facilities in Illinois and Suzhou, China. Annual sales are about $130 million.

Phase II Medical set to expand

Design and contract manufacturer Phase II Medical Manufacturing, Rochester, N.H. (phaseiimed.com) says it will expand and upgrade its manufacturing facility by adding 1,500 ft² of clean room and an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to unify all company operations from human resources to finished product, and maintain quality and effectiveness. In addition, the company has hired three more engineers, a sales manager, a material manager, and 20 additional assembly line workers. Phase II now has 55 full-time employees and a total of 3,000 ft² dedicated to cleanroom manufacturing and inspection.

“This expansion, upgrade, and hiring shows we are committed to providing clients with the best possible quality when it comes to medical-device manufacturing,” said Phase II President Adam Prime. The company is FDA-approved, ISO:9001 and ISO:13485 compliant, and a certified manufacturer.