In the world of modern manufacturing and production, staying at the forefront of technology is not just an advantage; it’s a necessity. Mabtech understands this well. We had the opportunity to sit down with Torun Ekblad, COO of Mabtech, to gain insights into their journey with the HTI FLEX and their exciting transition to the enhanced model “FLEX 2.0”.

Could You Briefly Explain What Mabtech is Doing?

We are a Swedish life science tool provider. Our primary focus lies in the development of immunoassays. Our customers primarily consist of scientists who are involved in research related to the immune system. At the heart of our company, we specialise in two main aspects. Firstly, we excel in the production of monoclonal antibodies, which serve as essential binding molecules in various scientific applications. Secondly, we are dedicated to creating assays specifically designed for measuring these analytes, thereby enabling scientists to conduct precise and meaningful research in the field of immunology.

Could You Give Us an Insight into Your Current Production Processes and How the Current FLEX is Integrated into Them?

Currently, the FLEX is integrated at the end of our production process. After we’ve produced a batch of the desired quality, we need to package it in portions suitable for our customers. These portions must fit our kit format, which is relatively small. To maintain the high quality and sterility of the batch, we must fill many vials in a controlled environment. The FLEX plays a crucial role in filling the samples with precision and accuracy. We’ve been using the FLEX for six years now. We were early adopters, and while we did face some initial challenges, we always received excellent support and assistance to overcome them. We’ve also made adaptations as our needs evolved over time.

What Specific Requirements or Challenges has Your Company Identified that have Led to the Need for an Enhanced Version of the FLEX, i.e., a FLEX 2.0?

Several needs have driven our decision to upgrade to FLEX 2.0. First, our company is growing and we need to increase our production capacities. The current system limits our growth potential. Additionally, automation is a crucial strategy for our business growth without significantly increasing manual work. It’s essential to address these challenges in a smart way and automate processes wherever possible to ensure efficiency and utilise the unique qualities of our team members effectively.

What Are the Key New Features You Expect from the FLEX 2.0 Compared to the Previous Version?

The previous FLEX is still used for some products with high demand, mainly bulk filling and capping. However, the FLEX 2.0 is designed for more complex tasks. It can manage the entire kit assembly process, cover storage, and the entire workflow, including storing various reagents, filling, capping, decapping, labelling, and sorting finished tubes. Its functionality has significantly increased, and an operator can simply request a job, and the machine will handle the rest, allowing our team to focus on other valuable tasks. Additionally, the compact footprint of the FLEX 2.0 is a game-changer for us. It allows us to reduce our physical footprint, which was a limiting factor in our growth.