CAMBRIDGE, ON, Feb. 26 /CNW/ - ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. today announced that it has been chosen as the single source provider of integrated automation manufacturing systems - valued at CDN $3.6 million - for a global pharmaceutical company.The assignment - comprised of three projects (two of which are largely duplicates) - reflects a level of single point automation integration not yet common in the pharmaceutical industry.
As the single source provider, ATS will design, build and install these integrated lines that will be used by the customer to inspect and package several of the customer's liquid sterile drug products. One of the lines will involve delivery of a new ATS automation system for high-speed inspection of form-fill-seal ampoules, adding to ATS's repertoire of standard machine vision platforms for pharmaceutical applications.The systems are expected to be delivered by the end of calendar 2004. This adds to the Company's interim (5 weeks) fourth quarter new automation systems order bookings of $54 million announced February 5, 2004."
This is the latest example of ATS's growing presence in pharmaceuticals, and our ability to develop and apply the best manufacturing technology available," said Klaus Woerner, ATS President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our customer is making very innovative use of our capabilities, in fact fully automated material handling with integrated automated inspection for the customer's process may be an industry first. This is a customer that values production efficiency and knows the best place to achieve it is ATS." Mr. Woerner added that the customer has elected to initiate FDA validation activities "while the lines are still on our assembly floor, saving both time and money.
Our ability to offer validation support early in the machine design and development process for a complex integrated manufacturing system is a distinct competitive advantage for ATS as a supplier to the sector." Demand for single source automation in this market is expected to grow in future in part because regulatory bodies require pharmaceutical companies to establish documented evidence providing a high degree of assurance that their facilities, processes and equipment will consistently produce a safe, high quality result and meet predetermined current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
Single source manufacturing automation not only provides the means to enhance quality and compliance with cGMP, but also leads to reduced overall installed costs, and improved throughput and delivery timeframes." Science has traditionally overshadowed manufacturing in the industry, but this is changing rapidly," said Mr. Woerner. "A number of senior industry executives, as well as the FDA, have recently announced a shift in priorities to include greater production efficiencies and a focus on new manufacturing technologies.
Our ability to add value through turn key service and the most advanced approaches to manufacturing automation sets ATS apart in the pharmaceutical market." Pharmaceuticals and the broader healthcare industry represent a strategic focus for ATS. Pharmaceuticals represent about two thirds of the $550 billion global healthcare product market, and this sector is expected to grow 12% annually over the next five years. The name of the client and contract details cannot be disclosed due to confidentiality requirements.
About ATS
ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. ( www.atsautomation.com ) is the industry's leading designer and producer of turn-key automated manufacturing and test systems, which are used primarily by multinational corporations operating in a variety of industries including: automotive, electronics, healthcare, and consumer products. The Company also makes precision components and sub-assemblies using its own custom-built manufacturing systems, process knowledge and automation technology.
Through Photowatt International S.A., and Spheral Solar Power Inc., ATS is an emerging leader in the rapidly growing market for solar energy cells and modules. ATS employs approximately 3,800 people at 26 facilities in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
The Company's shares are traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ATA.
