Haag-Streit Opens New Surgical Microscope Production Site in Aesch, Switzerland
Haag-Streit announced the opening of a new state-of-the-art microscope production site in Aesch, Switzerland.
In September 2021, Haag-Streit decided to reposition and focus solely on ophthalmology and the production and future development of the Hi-R NEO 900, as well as the next generation of ophthalmic surgical microscopes. In conjunction with this decision, Haag-Streit moved the production of its surgical microscopes from Wedel, Germany to Aesch, Switzerland, and transferred the responsibility for production to Haag-Streit Diagnostics in Koeniz, Switzerland. Haag-Streit said this allows the company to bundle its existing competencies in ophthalmic diagnostics and surgery and helps to better align processes in areas such as supply chain, production, and quality assurance.
From left to right: Edgar Sporer (CEO Spectros AG), Manuela Sutter-Meler (Director Sales Specialists & International Customers), Stefan Mahler (Director Global Sales).
Aesch is just a 5-minute drive from Ettingen, where Haag-Streit subsidiary Spectros AG is headquartered. Spectros AG supplies the optics used in Haag-Streit’s surgical microscopes and slit lamps, thus the close proximity allows a better use of synergies. In addition, Aesch is close to other Haag-Streit Group companies; Haag-Streit Diagnostics in Koeniz, Switzerland; and Haag-Streit Simulation in Mannheim, Germany.
As part of this move, Haag-Streit has fully-analyzed and reviewed its supply chain and re-examined the various assembly steps in the production of Hi-R NEO 900 microscopes. This has led to the installation of a new assembly line in the new location’s production area. In addition, the organisation has adopted a LEAN manufacturing approach to create a production system that focuses on reducing waste, creating customer value, and seeking continuous process improvement, according to Haag-Streit.
The team in Aesch includes long-time key employees from the former Haag-Streit Surgical, staff from Spectros AG, and some additional new employees.
“This was only possible thanks to the fantastic support of our colleagues in Wedel, Koeniz and Ettingen," Roman Angst, Haag-Streit Group Chief Operating Officer, said in a company news release. "Because of the highly-motivated team in Aesch, we passed the audit for the manufacture of our microscopes on July 19, 2022. Consequently, we have manufactured our flagship product, the Hi-R NEO 900 microscope, in Aesch since the beginning of August."
Stefan Haag, Group Chief Marketing & Sales Officer, added, “We don’t merely manufacture high-quality surgical microscopes, we strive to provide the unique Haag-Streit ‘Optical Experience.' The Hi-R NEO 900 is renowned for its high optical quality, which provides greater clarity, color reproduction and light transmission. This, coupled with high-precision design providing a greater depth-of-field and depth perception, results in a superior experience, allowing the surgeon to be more precise, accurate, efficient, and confident."