The investment was made to support a major customer, which the company has not named, in the development of a dry powder inhaler. The Class 7 cleanroom will be used for moulding the components in production volumes.
The facility also has the capability to laser mark, ultrasonically weld and camera inspect a subassembly. The completed device will be filled by the ultimate customer and will be used in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The £1.2m investment includes injection moulding machines from Krauss Maffei.
Carclo said its customer has invested approximately £3m in tooling from various European toolmakers and bespoke automation from Lambert Engineering and Hi-Tech Automation.
“We are delighted to have completed this new facility on time and within budget,” said Patrick Ward, managing director of Carclo Technical Plastics. “Carclo has long been involved in inhaler manufacture and this is an exciting programme for the Mitcham operation.”
Carclo Technical Plastics reported operating profits of £2.6m to 30 September. Sales increased by 11.4% helped by strong growth from medical diagnostic and LED optical products.
The company is part of Carclo plc, which has manufacturing operations in the UK, US, Czech Republic, India and China. Typical products include drug delivery devices and diagnostic consumables.
