Several years ago, I started asking a question that many improvement projects begin with: Why are we doing it this way?
The question centered on real-time aging studies, which are an essential part of demonstrating that medical products remain safe, effective, and compliant throughout their shelf life. At the time, much of that testing was performed externally, which meant additional costs and scheduling constraints, along with less flexibility.
As our business continued to grow, we saw an opportunity to take a different approach.
That idea eventually became our new real-time aging chamber in Přelouč, Czech Republic.
Supporting Product Quality Through Every Stage of the Lifecycle
Real-time aging studies help verify that products continue to meet performance and quality requirements over the course of their intended shelf life.
Products are stored under controlled environmental conditions and evaluated over time to confirm that packaging integrity and overall performance remain consistent. The resulting data helps support regulatory compliance while providing confidence to customers who rely on these products in critical healthcare environments.
By bringing this capability in-house, we gain greater control over the process while creating a more efficient pathway for long-term product testing.
From Concept to Capability
The project began with extensive analysis of our testing requirements and future capacity needs, along with overall business value. We examined different approaches and evaluated suppliers, working through multiple rounds of planning before identifying the right solution.
Once the project moved into implementation, a dedicated team helped turn the vision into reality.
Project leader Zbyněk Matušina, Manufacturing Engineer, coordinated the installation effort, bringing together suppliers, facilities teams, safety specialists, maintenance personnel, and other stakeholders to prepare the site and support deployment. His leadership helped guide the project through the many operational and logistical challenges that come with building a new capability from the ground up.
The result is a chamber designed specifically to support our long-term testing needs while providing flexibility for future growth.
Delivering Value Through Operational Innovation
Innovation is often associated with product development, but some of the most impactful innovations happen behind the scenes.
This project demonstrates how investing in infrastructure and capabilities can create meaningful benefits across an organization. By reducing dependence on external providers and improving testing flexibility, streamlining access to critical data, the aging chamber helps position us to respond more quickly and efficiently to future needs.
It also reinforces our commitment to quality and delivering dependable solutions for customers.
Sometimes innovation means creating something new. Other times, it means creating better ways to support everything we already do well.
This project is an example of both.
By Jaroslav Lazar, Director Product Engineering and Zbyněk Matušina, Manufacturing Engineer