CAMBRIDGE, ON, Aug. 5 /CNW/ - ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. today announced it has recently received a total of US $10.7 million (CDN $14.2 million) in orders from one of the world's largest manufacturers of self-use medical diagnostic systems. This brings the value of orders for automation systems ATS has won over the past year from this particular customer to more than US $21 million.These latest assignments will see ATS deliver a number of fully automated production lines that the customer will use to manufacture and package multi- use handheld diagnostic devices. Most of the production lines to be supplied by ATS will be used by the customer for high volume manufacture of a new diagnostic device. Under the orders, ATS will also provide upgrades to the customer's manufacturing systems for an already existing diagnostic device and supply one new system that will be dedicated to highly flexible production of small specialized production lots. The new system will take advantage of ATS's proprietary programmable conveyance system technology, called Supertrak(TM).The various orders, all received by ATS during the Company's recently completed first quarter, are scheduled to be delivered over the next 16 months."The medical device industry, and more particularly the self-use diagnostics market, is growing rapidly and because of our specialized single- source capabilities, ATS is a direct beneficiary of this rapid expansion," said Klaus Woerner, ATS President and Chief Executive Officer. "What's particularly gratifying about these particular assignments is they are with a repeat customer. Not only is this a strong endorsement of ATS's capabilities by a customer that knows us well, it's further evidence that we are seeing increasing benefits from our entrenched relationships in the healthcare sector. A cornerstone of our strategy continues to be the development of long- term customers who repeatedly use ATS for their automation needs.""A key highlight of these projects is that the customer has entrusted ATS with a plant-wide automation assignment, and has made us a single point of contact to reduce their technical risk and accelerate implementation," said Mr. Woerner. "ATS excels at these types of large assignments. In this case, we will be responsible for equipping a large part of one of the customer's existing manufacturing facilities. These orders represent just the latest example of ATS's recent success in penetrating high-growth areas of the healthcare industry."Customer and product details cannot be provided because of strict customer confidentiality.About In-Vitro Diagnostics and ATSIndustry research suggests the market for handheld or point-of-care diagnostics used to test blood glucose, pregnancy and cholesterol is projected to grow 10% to 15% on a compound annual basis to approximately US $5 billion over the next five years. It is one of the fastest-growing areas of the In-Vitro Diagnostics industry.The rapid growth of self-diagnostics is attributed to the recent emergence of new technology platforms, and the demand for more efficient and convenient medical service. Patients benefit from the ability to self-manage their conditions because of the convenience, ease of interpretation and rapid results offered by these innovative handheld devices.ATS has automated a number of different self-use diagnostic production systems over the past four years. It is also a leader in producing, on a contract equipment basis, automated clinical diagnostic systems for a number of large customers.Over the past five fiscal years, ATS has generated more than $300 million in revenue from healthcare.About ATSATS 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 4,000 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.
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