At the new location, Smithers offers its customers from the pharmaceutical industry and medical technology contract laboratory tests that measure the safety and performance of products during simulated use. The relocation was supported by FrankfurtRheinMain GmbH International Marketing of the Region (FRM GmbH) in close cooperation with Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), Hessen Trade & Invest GmbH (HTAI) and the Neu-Isenburg Economic Development Agency.
Dirk Gene Hagelstein, Mayor of Neu-Isenburg and member of the Supervisory Board of FRM GmbH: ‘At the beginning of the 20th century, our region was described as the “pharmacy of the world” and this has not changed to this day. Companies such as Merck, Sanofi, Fresenius, Biontech and Boehringer Ingelheim characterise the location and contribute to its excellence with their research and innovative developments. It is great for Neu-Isenburg that Smithers Medical Device Testing has decided to set up a branch here. The establishment strengthens the pharmaceutical location and is further proof that membership of FRM GmbH is the right strategy for us to be recognised internationally. Last but not least, the close and trusting cooperation between our business development team and the US team at FRM GmbH has led to this successful settlement.’
Smithers celebrates its 100th anniversary next year: The company was founded in 1925 in Akron, Ohio. Today, Smithers is a multinational provider of medical device testing, consulting, information and compliance services with more than 1,000 employees worldwide. Smithers Medical Device Testing Division supports pharmaceutical product manufacturers with feasibility studies and technical verification through testing services. The company provides data for regulatory submissions, assists with failure investigations and post-market surveillance of the medical device by its manufacturer. Smithers provides standard and non-standard testing (ISO, ASTM or Pharmacopoeia) for a wide range of combination products, medical devices, accessories and packaging to ensure that a product is compliant and fit for use.
The Neu-Isenburg branch expands the range of services offered by the existing laboratories in Akron, Ohio (USA) and Shawbury (UK).
‘Smithers Medical Device Testing Division is growing rapidly and Germany was the logical choice for our next location after our laboratories in the US and UK,’ says Michael Hochschwender, CEO of Smithers. ‘From our Neu-Isenburg office, we are closer to our customers in mainland Europe, while the new location gives us convenient access to Frankfurt Airport. This enables us to maintain Smithers' high quality standards and convince new customers of our commitment.’
Smithers chose Frankfurt RheinMain as a business location because the region is a well-known centre for the development of pharmaceutical products. The central location on the European mainland and the short distance to Frankfurt Airport were also important to the US company. This enables Smithers to transport customer samples quickly and conveniently and to visit customers regularly.
‘Smithers' decision to locate in Neu-Isenburg demonstrates both the strength of Frankfurt Rhine-Main as a pharmaceutical centre and the attractiveness of our region for American companies. More than 20,000 Americans currently live and work in FRM and the Consulate General in Frankfurt is one of the largest US representations. Frankfurt am Main is not only the most American city in Germany because of its skyline, there are also typical American restaurants, networks and organisations such as the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham). And last but not least, the English language skills in the region make Frankfurt Rhine-Main the ideal hub for all companies with their sights set on the German and European markets,’ says Eric Menges, President & CEO of FrankfurtRheinMain GmbH International Marketing of the Region.
FRM GmbH accompanied the first steps of the Smithers Medical Device Testing branch. The USA team was the company's point of contact at every stage of the relocation process and supported the medical service provider in collaboration with the Neu-Isenburg business development agency in its search for a suitable property, coordinated the property selection process and established contact with suitable business networks.