AIM Processing Small Plastic Parts Blog

A minimally invasive medical procedure or device simplifies traditional treatment methods, causing the patient less pain and reducing the risk of complications. When Trice Medical was experiencing unnecessary complications and frustrations obtaining critical injection molded components for its manufactured equipment, it realized the need for a new business partner that could supply a reliable, painless solution. Recently, President of Trice Medical, Mike Steen, sat down to discuss his company's long-standing partnership with AIM Processing. With more than 15 years of experience in the industry, Mike shared valuable insights into the strong collaboration between the two companies, the value AIM Processing brings to the table and how their partnership has evolved over time.

Trice Medical: Pioneering Minimally Invasive Solutions

Trice Medical specializes in creating minimally invasive solutions for the healthcare industry. Their focus is on developing devices that reduce healthcare costs and shift procedures to lower-cost centers like ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) or office settings. Their product line includes the Tenex ultrasonic surgical aspirator and disposable arthroscopes.

The AIM Processing Advantage

AIM Processing is responsible for manufacturing injection-molded parts for Trice Medical’s Technics line, a disposable ultrasonic surgical aspirator. AIM’s role extends beyond merely supplying parts; they provide expert process refinement and quality control that ensures the reliability of Trice Medical’s devices. By leveraging AIM’s capabilities, Trice Medical has been able to improve product performance and consistency.

Client’s Perspective on Collaboration

When asked about what attracted Trice Medical to AIM Processing, Mike highlighted a key factor: personalized attention. As a small startup, Trice Medical lacked expertise in injection molding, and their previous suppliers were not meeting their needs.

AIM stood out due to its personalized attention and commitment to quality, offering a level of support and engagement that was missing from larger providers. Mike noted that AIM’s responsiveness and hands-on approach were critical in helping Trice Medical overcome manufacturing challenges during a crucial phase in their growth.

"We weren’t getting the time or attention that we needed from larger injection molding organizations. AIM’s personal touch made a big difference."

Solving Critical Challenges

Before partnering with AIM Processing, Trice Medical faced significant issues with inconsistent quality and non-conformance from previous suppliers. AIM quickly stepped in, bringing expertise to refine manufacturing processes and establishing better controls, which resulted in a dramatic improvement in product reliability.

Mike noted, "That's where AIM came in and provided that expertise, as well as identifying critical parameters to help better control the process and get a more reliable output."

Seamless Tool Transfer

One of the most crucial moments in the partnership was the transfer of tooling from a previous supplier to AIM Processing. Despite the inherent risks in such transfers, Mike reported a smooth transition: "Tooling transfers are prone to problems, but AIM made sure everything went smoothly, and we had zero problems during the transition."

AIM’s proactive management ensured that the transition was seamless and free from complications.

Long-term Partnership: A Decade of Excellence

Trice Medical has been working with AIM Processing since around 2014-2016, marking nearly a decade of collaboration. Over the years, the partnership has evolved, particularly in quality assurance. Mike praised AIM's quality team: "Their expertise and control in that department have been a great asset to our company."

A Ringing Endorsement for Onshoring

One standout aspect of AIM Processing, according to Mike, is their domestic presence. In an industry where many companies look to offshore their manufacturing, AIM’s stateside operations offer a significant advantage. With tighter regulatory requirements in recent years, having a reliable and compliant U.S.-based partner has been invaluable for Trice Medical.

"Many companies should take notice of competencies that are stateside. AIM’s domestic presence is a huge differentiator in ensuring supply chain reliability and regulatory compliance... you're not going to find a better partner than AIM."

Impact on Trice Medical's Business

The partnership with AIM has allowed Trice Medical to focus on its core mission. As Mike put it, "As a medical device manufacturer, we should be focused on the patient and on making sure that our product meets the clinical need. AIM's competencies have allowed us to not distract ourselves with ongoing manufacturing requirements and be more focused on the clinical benefit that we can offer to our patients."

A Partnership Built on Trust and Excellence

The partnership between Trice Medical and AIM has yielded impressive results. Since moving to AIM, Trice Medical has seen a significant drop in product failure rates and yield loss during production. Mike highlighted AIM’s ability to provide reliable delivery of high-quality components, which has allowed Trice Medical to focus more on product innovation and less on manufacturing issues. This shift has been vital for the company's growth, enabling them to concentrate on meeting clinical needs rather than managing day-to-day production challenges.

With AIM’s reliable support, Trice Medical can continue to focus on innovation and patient care, knowing that their manufacturing needs are in expert hands. This partnership serves as a prime example of how the right supplier relationship can drive business success.

Want to learn more about this successful partnership? Watch our exclusive video featuring Mike Steen as he shares more insights into how AIM Processing has contributed to Trice Medical's success.