Member Article

London trip proves fruitful for Hartlepool firm

A trip to the capital proved particularly productive for one businessman who is assisting a global medical manufacturer to set up a new base in the North East.

Hart Biologicals’ Managing Director, Alby Pattison, went to London as part of a delegation of businesspeople promoting Hartlepool to government officials. He also used his time there to secure contracts from London hospitals. The company, based at the Newburn Bridge Industrial Estate in Hartlepool, manufactures diagnostic blood testing kits to the worldwide medical market.

Part of the trip was spent trialling equipment in the obstetrics department of the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. The ROTEM machine is used to quickly assess bleeding after childbirth to speed up diagnosis and treatment. This equipment is also used in other areas of surgery such as cardiac and vascular surgery, where speedily stopping unwanted bleeding in patients is of critical importance.

Alby said: “The hospital is trialling the ROTEM machine along with some of our competitors’ equipment so it was good that I was able to be there to talk directly to those involved. The trial went very well, they were impressed by the aftercare service and we are hoping it will lead to us securing an order.”

ROTEM’s manufacturer, Pentapharm GmbH, is a Germany-based company with subsidiaries in Japan and across Europe and is now looking to open a subsidiary sales office in Hartlepool alongside Hart Biologicals.

Alby said: “Pentapharm will set up later this year at Hart Biologicals but is already looking for premises in the town. They have recruited two sales staff and will be looking to expand as soon as possible.”

Hart Biologicals has also donated haemophilia testing kits to Haematology Department staff from the Whittington Hospital who are involved in a charity project to support and improve medical aid in Africa.

Alby said: “We have donated a batch of testing kits for aid workers to take to Tanzania next week. They will help diagnose and treat people with the disorder. If the trip proves successful then there may be funding available to take it further.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .