From its beginnings in industrial electronics for weaving machines to its current role in MedTech, Psicontrol has woven its expertise, precision and innovation into the world of MedTech. Naturally, we were curious to know more and reached out to Paul Sinclair, Sales Manager at Psicontrol.
Psicontrol began by manufacturing electronics for weaving machines. What made you decide to move into medical devices, and what did you have to change to get there?
At first glance, weaving machinery and medical devices may seem like completely different worlds. However, when you look at the underlying electronics, many of the core competencies are surprisingly similar: reliability, precision, quality control, and long product lifecycles.
Over the years, Psicontrol built extensive expertise in developing and manufacturing highly reliable electronic control systems for demanding industrial applications. As we looked at markets where these strengths could add significant value, MedTech was a natural extension.
What attracted us most to MedTech is that success is measured by more than cost or efficiency. That adds an additional level of responsibility, but also purpose, to what we do.
Of course, entering the medical sector required far more than simply applying existing manufacturing knowledge. Medical devices operate in a highly regulated environment where for instance quality and traceability, are essential. We have invested heavily in updating our existing quality systems, processes, and certifications to meet those requirements, resulting in a dedicated ISO 13485:2016 – Medical device quality management system.
Many manufacturers have moved production overseas to cut costs. Psicontrol has kept its main production in Europe. Why, and what does that give your MedTech customers that a cheaper supplier further away can’t?
There will always be manufacturers that compete primarily on labour cost, and for some products that may be the right decision. Our philosophy has always been different. We believe that for complex, high-reliability products, proximity creates value.
By maintaining our manufacturing operations in Europe, we offer customers shorter communication lines, easier collaboration between engineering and production teams, faster response times, and greater transparency throughout the manufacturing process. Customers can visit our facilities, perform audits, meet the people building their products, and work closely with our teams during development and industrialization.
For medical device companies in particular, this proximity becomes increasingly important. Whether it is design changes, validation activities, quality investigations, or regulatory requirements, having a manufacturing partner in the same region significantly simplifies cooperation. While an overseas supplier may sometimes offer a lower unit price, the total cost of ownership often tells a different story once factors such as logistics, inventory levels, travel requirements, communication challenges, and risk are taken into account.
With stricter EU rules and recent supply-chain problems, are more companies now choosing to manufacture in Europe? Or does price still decide most deals?
Price remains important and always will be. Healthcare systems are under pressure to control costs, and manufacturers need to remain competitive. That said, the conversations we are having today are noticeably different from those we had ten years ago.
The disruptions experienced during the COVID period, component shortages, geopolitical tensions, and evolving regulatory requirements have highlighted the risks associated with extended global supply chains. Many companies are taking a broader view of manufacturing decisions and placing greater emphasis on resilience, continuity of supply, quality assurance, and risk mitigation. The market now realizes that product price is only 1 element in defining product cost.
We are seeing increased interest from companies looking to strengthen their European supply chains, particularly for critical products where security of supply and regulatory compliance are essential. Rather than focusing exclusively on the lowest piece price, more organizations are evaluating long-term value and operational stability.
I wouldn’t say that price no longer matters. Rather, it has become one factor among many.
Psicontrol is well positioned to support cost effective serial production from our Romanian facility allowing us to remain very competitive in Europe.
What would you tell a European MedTech founder who is choosing a manufacturing partner for the first time?
My advice would be simple: don’t choose a manufacturing partner solely based on today’s piece price. The relationship between a MedTech company and its manufacturing partner often lasts many years and can have a major influence on product quality, scalability, regulatory compliance, and future growth.
Founders should look beyond capacity and pricing and ask deeper questions. Does the manufacturer understand the regulatory environment? Do they have robust quality systems? How do they manage traceability? Can they support low-volume production today and scale tomorrow? How transparent are they when challenges arise?
Equally important is cultural fit. The best partnerships are built on open communication, trust, and a shared commitment to solving problems together. A manufacturing partner should not simply be a supplier. They should become an extension of your team and contribute to the long-term success of your product.
Europe has a strong history of healthcare innovation, world-class engineering talent, and rigorous quality standards. As the MedTech sector continues to evolve, we believe manufacturers have an important role to play in helping innovators transform ideas into reliable, market-ready products.
At Psicontrol, our journey from industrial electronics to MedTech has reinforced a simple belief: when quality, collaboration, and long-term partnership are prioritized, both manufacturers and innovators are better positioned to create technologies that genuinely make a difference.
