This is the second part of my interview with Johannes Lind-Widestam, the new president and CEO of Elos Medtech. Let’s jump right in and take on where we left!
Can you see any specific contract manufacturing trends in the medtech industry?
There are a few trends that will be interesting for the production market. 3D printing, for example, is one trend that is on everyone’s lips right now. So far, implantable prostheses for hips and knees have been produced. The greatest advantage of 3D printing is that the implantable prostheses can be custom made down to their very details and completely adapted to the patient, which is revolutionary. The prostheses can also be delivered with a very short time frame. The downside of 3D printing is that it is very difficult to find suitable filling materials and also that it is very expensive. I think 3D printing will take a market position in some areas, but I am not sure just how big it will be.
What are your thoughts on Elos Medtech and the future? How should Elos Medtech navigate to meet the needs and expectations from customers?
2014/2015 was an eventful year with the divestment of subsidiaries in the metrology business area and the recent acquisition of Onyx Medical. What I hope to see in the coming years is the result of our strengthened global structure and complete performance offering as a solution partner. I aim for Elos Medtech to achieve a stable organic growth, strengthen its market position as well as brand, and gain further confidence from customers. I believe that we will continue to attract customers in existing market segments, but also prospects from niched segments. I would also like to see us become a more attractive employer that offers an attractive workplace to future employees. For me, it is extremely important to listen to the employees and pay close attention to how we are perceived by the market.
You have previous experience in development of operations on a global basis in the medtech industry. What is the most important thing you have learnt along the way?
When people ask me that question I usually joke and say self-awareness! But on a more serious note, if I had to choose one quality I would actually pick self-awareness because it is the most becoming quality a human being can possess.
Adding on to that, experience has taught me that problems never heal by themselves. They need to be brought to attention and handled. I have also learnt that it is important to think before you act. In the last fifteen years, there have been large fluctuations in the business cycle and a few global economic crises. It has led to huge operational fluctuations due to somewhat small market movements. It has made me realise that it is important to understand the market movements before acting on the operational fluctuations.
I have also learnt, and strongly believe, that change is a good thing and not something we should be afraid of, which many people actually are. If you don’t change, it might even seem like you are taking a step back as the world around you is constantly changing. We need to realise that people are actually driven by change, not stagnation. It is actually something we carry with us at all times, without realising. We constantly change our behaviour, whether we like it or not. Change is, and should be viewed, as a positive force. I do not think that we should be so afraid of change in neither the medtech industry nor in life in general.
That makes sense. So when it comes to life in general, I guess you do not usually go with the flow, but sometimes try to swim upstream?
That is true, I am not afraid to take on a challenge every now and then! I am very keen on sports and do a lot of competitive sailing and some skiing. My family and I spend a lot of time outside and I am also involved in my childrens’ sports activities.
Thank you for a nice chat, Johannes! I truly hope this year’s winter will provide you with lots of snow. And good luck with Elos Medtech and the future! For more relevant blog posts, news and updates, visit Elos Medtech in social media.
Also read Part 1 – Profile in Focus: “If you don’t change, it might seem like you take a step back as the world around you constantly change”
