Stryker CFO William Jellison announced during the fourth quarter earnings conference call that the company will build a new 3-D printed product manufacturing facility this year, according to a Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry report.
Here are six notes:
1. The details regarding the facility were not revealed during the call however, CEO Kevin A. Lobo and Mr. Jellison did lay out some of Stryker's 3-D printing strategy.
2. The 3-D printed products are not aimed at replacing metal hip and knee implants, which make up Stryker's main product pipeline.
3. The goal of 3-D printing is to allow the company to create innovative, novel products to add to its portfolio.
4. The company has released some 3-D printed products over the last few years, including its 3-D printed tibia baseplate and 3-D printed patella.
5. Stryker plans on launching a 3-D printed titanium interbody device for spine this year.
6. While 3-D printed implants and devices will not become a part of Stryker's staple business in the next few years, the increasing demand for such devices has justified the construction of the new manufacturing facility.