Collaborative Manufacturing at MedtecLIVE 2026: From Trade Fair Concept to the MedtechFORCE Innovation Network

What began as a joint idea at a medical technology trade fair has evolved over recent years into a robust and forward‑looking alliance of leading industry players. At its core was the implementation of a production line that demonstrates the entire process chain of a medical component—from development to manufacturing and packaging—live and in tangible form.

This collaboration between Kumavision, FOBA, Gindele, Medipack, Forecreu, Laubscher and KKS Ultrasound impressively illustrates how interdisciplinary expertise, technological precision and partnership‑driven thinking can sustainably strengthen innovation in the medical technology sector. Today, the network stands for quality, reliability and a shared vision: the continuous advancement of medical solutions for the benefit of patients worldwide. Whether marking systems, ultrasonic cleaning, packaging solutions, ERP software for medical technology or injection‑moulded parts—the network unites expertise across the entire value chain, delivering innovative solutions that meet the demands of regulatory affairs, production safety and efficiency.

How a Production Line Creates Knowledge

The authenticity of this process chain is made possible by the diversity of the participating companies. At the trade fair, FOBA, as a specialist in laser marking and traceability, Medipack as an established provider of sterile packaging solutions, and Gindele with its strong expertise in tooling and plastics technology demonstrate how individual steps interlock. They are joined by KKS Ultrasound AG, which provides ultrasonic cleaning and surface finishing, Kumavision, whose software expertise forms the digital backbone of industrial manufacturing processes, and Laubscher, whose precision components are at the beginning of many medical device assemblies. Forecreu also contributes its expertise in semi‑finished materials. Together, these competencies create a comprehensive picture that goes far beyond typical exhibition booths: a real‑world process chain that can only be made visible through collaboration among multiple specialists.

The true value of the production line lies not in its appearance but in its substance. Visitors can observe step by step how a product is created while simultaneously understanding why each process step is crucial. It is a behind‑the‑scenes look that the industry rarely provides in daily operations, as real‑life production is far more complex than what marketing materials or demo parts can convey.

This knowledge transfer makes the route one of the most important points of orientation at the trade fair. Engineers, production managers, quality professionals and decision‑makers gain a compressed yet highly precise view of industrial reality—one that cannot be fully captured in presentations or individual discussions.

Participants at a Glance:

• FOBA
• Medipack
• Gindele
• KKS
• Kumavision
• Laubscher
  
  

Industry Perspective: Why the Process Chain Matters More Than Ever

Matthias Gindele, Managing Director of Gindele GmbH and member of the MedtecLIVE Advisory Board, sees the format as a key building block for strengthening the industry’s future viability. “The production line shows how complex—and at the same time how elegantly—medical device manufacturing works when all steps mesh cleanly. Visitors not only see technologies but also interrelationships—and this understanding is becoming increasingly important. The industry is facing challenges such as rising regulation, greater automation and the integration of digital systems. Those who understand the process chain can identify potential much more quickly,” explains Gindele.

This makes it clear: the award‑winning route’s production line is not a showpiece but a practical learning format that sharpens the view of the real‑world challenges and opportunities of modern manufacturing.

A Story of Collaboration Born from Connection

The production line presented at MedtecLIVE 2026 in this constellation is anything but a coincidence. It is the result of a long‑standing collaboration between companies that also work closely together in real‑world industry—and whose partnership began right here at MedtecLIVE. What today appears to be a natural technical symbiosis began years ago with a conversation at a trade fair booth, a spontaneous idea and a shared sense that more is possible when people meet in person.

The collaboration exemplifies the true value of a trade fair: it creates spaces where fleeting contacts turn into genuine, lasting relationships. Companies discover shared challenges, develop solutions further and build projects that extend far beyond the exhibition halls. As Matthias Gindele puts it: “For us, trade fairs are far more than presentation spaces. They are places where trust is built, where partners are found and where people think beyond the event itself. Without these encounters, many of our collaborations would never have come into existence in this form.”

Value That Lasts

For visitors, participating in the production line is far more than collecting a giveaway at the end of the route. The true value lies in the direct insights, authentic conversations and the opportunity to compare their own company reality with the process demonstrated at the trade fair. The insights gained along this route often flow into concrete process optimisations, investment decisions or strategic direction setting.

MedtecLIVE 2026 thus demonstrates how a modern trade fair can function today: not as a mere product showcase, but as a place of knowledge, exchange and process expertise.