Rathenow on the Move

It might look like a simple coat hook but the “uni-condylar knee prosthesis” has made life a whole lot easier for a great many people.

OHST Medizintechnik AG in Rathenow develops and manufactures orthopaedic articular implant systems of surgical steel. This long-established mid-sized enterprise also produces complete services for existing implant systems and instruments. A further plus for its competitive advantage is that OHST is a single-source company for everything from innovations – evolved in close collaboration with dealers and end users – to ready-made products in sterile packaging. The extensive product range goes from computer-controlled precision instruments to highly technical handwork on articular knee and hip sockets. High quality work of this kind has made OHST a market leader in Germany. And the company is surging ahead on international markets too, as only a handful of competitors from Austria, Switzerland and the USA can offer craftsmanship of comparable high precision. “A truly outstanding achievement” found the jury at the “Oskar” awards for 2004 and nominated OHST for an “Oskar for medium sized enterprises”.

Yet the company had decidedly modest beginnings. Founded in 1937 in Rathenow, its staff of 9 employees spread over 5 back courtyards was first engaged in the manufacture of testing equipment for paper. In 1985 the company began to put out feelers in the medical technology sector, moved to a new plant and began production for the optics industry. It was only in 1992 that production was fully focussed on the medical technology sector, setting the company on the expansion course to its present payroll of 95 employees.

But with success OHST had also to meet higher demands. A new plant was built in 2001 with assistance from ERDF funds and investments amounting to approx. Euro 3.6 million. In summer 2004 the medical technology company applied for additional ERDF funding to invest in a further production facility and new technology. Norbert Ohst, the current managing director, is highly satisfied with the support he has received from Brussels:

“Their assistance really makes investment easier for us, cuts down delays in buying even better equipment and thus really sharpens our competitive advantage.”

With a new investment volume of around Euro 3.8 million, the company plans mid-term expansion with a payroll of 130 employees.