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<\/a><\/p>\nAdditive manufacturing will allow J&J to combat this inefficiency by manufacturing localized patient specific products improving the supply chain\u2019s agility and ability to adapt to changes in customer demand. Though additive manufacturing presents a promising opportunity, it is also a major risk to the company, as competition, both current and new, attempt to achieve breakthroughs in the field. [3]<\/p>\n
J&J is taking a leading role in developing and deploying this technology in the industry. They\u2019ve established the Johnson & Johnson\u2019s 3-D Printing Center of Excellence [4] \u201cwhich is working to change the landscape of healthcare through 3-D printing innovations.\u201d This group is focused on developing customized patient solutions and the ability to print devices more quickly and at a lower total cost than current methods. J&J has also established a partnership with AMBER, a material science institute focused on the bioprinting, broadening their area of focus beyond metals and polymers for this technology [5].<\/p>\n
Longer term J&J appears to be taking a strategy where they\u2019re not solely focused on the manufacturing of medical devices but rather on the comprehensive product and service combinations related to a surgery. J&J has formed a partnership with Guys and St. Thomas\u2019 NHS Foundation Trust to create an Orthopedic center of excellence where J&J takes on a more active role in the end-to-end activity related to a surgery [6]. They have also recently acquired a German software company that specializes in standardization and digitalization of surgical workflows in the operating room [7]. The changes hint at a strategic maneuver toward embedding themselves within the surgical process placing J&J in a strong position to be directly involved in the industry\u2019s potential transition to localized manufacturing made possible by additive technology [8].<\/p>\n In terms of other steps, I recommend the organization takes, in the short-term I believe their focus should be on three areas. First, they should aim to progress the technology to augment their current products and processes. For example, they should improve their supply chain by achieving the inventory benefits that come with reduced production lead time. Next, they should understand the changes to the regulatory pathway driven by additive manufacturing. The FDA has published Technical Considerations for Additive Manufactured Medical Devices [9] that J&J should ensure are efficiently designed within their processes. Finally, they should keep abreast of the use of this technology by competitors. Stryker has recently invested 400 million to progress the use of additive manufacturing in their products [10] and has launched new products using 3D Printing [11].<\/p>\n In the medium term, I would recommend the company take a more aggressive approach to working directly with hospitals on localized manufacturing. The more experiments in this area the company operates the more likely they\u2019ll stay ahead of the changes this technology will drive in the medical device supply chain. Additionally, I would recommend that J&J\u2019s leadership meets on a regular basis with internal and external experts in the field to stay abreast of latest applications of the technology to ensure their strategy is continuously adjusted to account for developments as they occur.<\/p>\n The key question J&J needs to answer in the future is how their role in the medical device value chain changes as barriers to entry to the industry are significantly reduced by additive manufacturing enabling faster and cheaper design and production. Do they move closer to the hospital and patient and focus on embedding themselves in the operating room? Do they attempt to maintain their competitive advantage in device innovation and design when it becomes easier for smaller players to launch a product?<\/p>\n (785 Words)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sources:<\/p>\n [1] Xu, Xiaofan, and Maria Rey. \u201cUnderstanding Demand: Are You Keeping the Right Amount of Inventory?\u201d Recently Filed RSS, 21 Nov. 2017, www.scmr.com\/article\/understanding_demand_are_you_keeping_the_right_amount_of_inventory<\/a>.<\/p>\n [2] Tribe, Bill, et al. \u201cWhat’s Next for Medical Device Supply Chains.\u201d ATKearny.de, AT Kearny, 2017, https:\/\/www.atkearney.de\/documents\/856314\/13942554\/What%27s+Next+for+Medical+Device+Supply+Chains.pdf\/a03da9f3-66c0-4394-a912-eb54ee78b963<\/a>.<\/p>\n [3] Scott, Clare. \u201cThe Impact of 3D Printing on the Medical Device Industry.\u201d OrthoFeed, 27 July 2018, https:\/\/orthofeed.com\/2018\/07\/27\/the-impact-of-3d-printing-on-the-medical-device-industry\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n [4] Brewster, Signe. \u201cThe Power of 3-D Printing: How This Technology Is Blazing New Medical Frontiers.\u201d JNJ.com, Johnson & Johnson, 27 Mar. 2017, www.jnj.com\/innovation\/how-3d-printing-is-blazing-new-medical-frontiers<\/a>.<\/p>\n [5] Saunders, Sarah. \u201cAMBER and Johnson & Johnson to Establish Collaborative 3D Bioprinting Laboratory.\u201d 3DPrint.Com | The Voice of 3D Printing \/ Additive Manufacturing, 21 Feb. 2018, www.3dprint.com\/204533\/amber-johnson-johnson\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n [6] Sharda, Angela. \u201cLondon Trust Agrees Partnership for New Orthopaedic Theatres.\u201d Healthcare Leader, 23 Nov. 2017, www.healthcareleadernews.com\/london-trust-agrees-partnership-for-new-orthopaedic-theatres\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n [7] \u201cJohnson & Johnson Medical GmbH to Acquire Surgical Process Institute.\u201d JNJ.com, Johnson & Johnson, 19 Oct. 2017, www.jnj.com\/media-center\/press-releases\/johnson-johnson-medical-gmbh-to-acquire-surgical-process-institute<\/a>.<\/p>\n [8] \u201cMedical Additive Manufacturing\/ 3D Printing 2018 Annual Report.\u201d SME.org, SME, 2018, www.sme.org\/uploadedFiles\/Medical_Additive_Manufacturing\/2018-SME-Medical-AM3DP-Annual-Report.pdf<\/a>.<\/p>\n [9] Center for Devices and Radiological Health. \u201cScience and Research (Medical Devices) – Additive Manufacturing of Medical Products.\u201d U S Food and Drug Administration Home Page, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, www.fda.gov\/MedicalDevices\/ScienceandResearch\/ucm477366.htm<\/a>.<\/p>\n [10] Brown, Alan S. \u201cChain Reaction: Why Additive Manufacturing Is About To Transform The Supply Chain.\u201d Mechanical Engineering, Oct. 2018, pp. 30\u201335.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n