Symmetry to expand its Malaysian operations

Orthopedic Design & Technology, March-April, 2008

Symmetry Medical Inc., a Warsaw, IN-headquartered provider of products to the global orthopedic device industry, recently announced plans to invest $20 million over the next three years to expand its Malaysian operations by increasing manufacturing and design and development capabilities. Most of the investment will occur by the end of 2009, the company said.

Symmetry will move its existing case facility to a new 50,000-square-foot facility on Penang Island. In this larger space, which will house the company's regional design and development center as well as a regional logistics operation, the company also will establish a new area for instrument production and implant finishing.

Furthermore, Symmetry obtained a five-acre site with the option to purchase an additional five acres to build a dedicated forging operation. The site will have spare land that will enable future growth to be accommodated as the regional operation develops.

"We are very pleased with the progress that we have made on our Asia strategy," said Brian Moore, president and CEO of Symmetry. "We believe our current customers with locations in Asia will take full advantage of our increased capabilities. We have also begun to generate new customer relationships in the region as a result of our presence and expanding capabilities and look forward to further progress growing our presence."