Since Mindray established its European center in the Netherlands over twenty years ago, the Chinese medtech firm has seen growing market demand for its medical solutions. With the current coronavirus pandemic, the demand for Mindray’s products and solutions has soared.
Mindray, founded in 1991 in Shenzhen, makes medical solutions in three segments: in-vitro diagnostic laboratory equipment, patient monitoring and life support, and digital imaging. It develops, manufactures and supplies its medical devices in 32 countries around the world. Mindray’s European distribution is centered in Hoevelaken, the Netherlands from where it has become an established player in the Dutch life sciences & health sector.
Increased demand due to the coronavirus
The coronavirus crisis has brought an overwhelming demand for Minday’s respirators, said Peter Lafeber, General Manager Mindray Medical Netherlands. To manage the demand, the company set a quota per country so as to distribute the available products in a fair manner.
The Netherlands as logical choice for distribution hub
Mindray’s presence in the Netherlands goes back to 2008, when it acquired the US company Datascope which was specialized in patient monitoring. The European branch of Datascope was based in Hoevelaken and the choice to make this Mindray’s European hub was a logical one, Lafeber said, given its location within the Dutch logistics and distribution ecosystem.
“The decision to make Hoevelaken the distribution center of Mindray for Europe was easy to make. The original Dutch company Datascope had highly skilled and motivated staff and good warehouse facilities. Within an hour’s drive of Schiphol airport with direct flights to Shenzen and various European countries, Hoevelaken is well connected.”
The Invest in Holland network supported Mindray
Mindray has been supported in setting up its European hub in the Netherlands by the Invest in Holland network. In particular, the life sciences specialists from the regional development agency Oost NL helped Mindray at an early stage.
Lafeber explains: ”When we met with Oost NL, we were presented with an array of potential partners and companies with whom we could cooperate. Companies, often startups, but also very interesting research projects that we would not normally know about. In this way Oost NL really bridges between Mindray and other organizations.”
Lafeber explains that Mindray has also seen a new development related to COVID-19. Countries want to keep stock of medical devices in close proximity. To fulfill that need, Mindray has temporarily rented additional warehouse capacity and is considering expanding warehouse facilities on a more permanent basis.
In addition to having more warehouse capacity, Mindray Netherlands has started doing the final assembly of devices here, Lafeber explained. The company continues to do its R&D in Shenzen, which Lafeber describes as “the Silicon Valley for medical devices and equipment.”
