Siemens to expand its epoc blood analyzer plant

OTTAWA – Siemens Healthineers has announced the planned expansion of its Ottawa manufacturing facility that manufactures the epoc Blood Analysis System. The expanded facility provides an additional 24,000 square feet to support new manufacturing lines to meet increased demand for the Point of Care healthcare business across Canada and in over 70 markets worldwide, which Siemens Healthineers operates.

The expansion also coincides with the consolidation of two sites into one. “We will be moving into one site on Brookfield Road, taking over the space of a former tenant. This enables all employees and equipment to be one area with ease of access, and also combines our R&D and operations team in one location,” said Mathias Ganzmann (pictured), vice president, site operations, Siemens Healthineers.

“In all, with the expansion, we now have the square footage to support new high speed printer lines for the epoc cards, which will almost double our current capacity, while also allowing for new product development and manufacturing.”

The epoc Blood Analysis System is a handheld, wireless solution that enables comprehensive blood analysis testing at the patient’s side on a single room-temperature test card, with results in less than a minute. This instrument has been critical for Intensive Care Units (ICU) to support blood gas testing and treatment decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The continuing expansion of our Ottawa Centre for Excellence for Blood Gas Testing is a further critical step in securing the growth of our medical technology business by ensuring we have the manufacturing capacity to support continued development and growth within the Point of Care business and continue to support healthcare providers in making the best treatment decisions then can in a timely manner,” continued Ganzmann. “We are proud that the skills and expertise of our staff is recognized, and Canada continues to be known for its technology, skills, and favourable innovative business environment.”

The expansion and consolidation in the one location is planned for completion in the fall of 2022. Proving its commitment to the local community and the province, the expansion work will see the hiring of local architects in the Ottawa area, and construction will be done by Canadian companies.

In addition, the machinery purchased for the new high speed card printer lines are all manufactured in the Ottawa, Ontario area. The expansion to support increased demand and new product lines will also result in increased employment. Employees at the Ottawa location are expected to increase in the region of 25 percent by 2025. The expansion complements the company’s other point-of-care operations in the United States, United Kingdom, and India.

“We have always been a proud member of the community and are thankful that the company has seen the benefit of our access to highly skilled and motivated employees, the close network of local high-tech suppliers, the ongoing support from the city of Ottawa through Invest Ottawa, and the recent announcement of funding from the Province of Ontario through its Ontario Together Fund,” concluded Ganzmann.

The point-of-care testing portfolio from Siemens Healthineers includes several solutions designed to provide immediate, convenient, and easy-to-use diagnostic testing. From the emergency department to the physician’s office, clinical management decisions can be made immediately and result in improved patient safety, clinical outcomes, and overall patient satisfaction. The Ottawa facility is focused on the manufacture of the epoc blood analysis system, which provides critical caregivers with real-time, laboratory quality test results at the patient’s bedside.

The epoc blood analysis system can be used for a wide range of tests including: blood gas, which measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood that can indicate the presence of certain medical conditions such as kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes, hemorrhage, chemical poisoning, a drug overdose, or shock, among others; electrolytes and metabolytes, which indicate kidney health, blood sugar levels, and levels of electrolytes such as potassium and sodium; lactate that tests for sepsis; creatinine, which indicates kidney function; and blood urea nitrogen that reveals information about how well the kidneys and liver are functioning.

More information on the Siemens Healthineers epoc blood analysis system is available online.