The Exact Group
Precision engineering and specialised finishing company, The Exact Group has joined an network of certified applicators of Cerakote, the highest performing ceramic coating according to the company, following a 300,000 GBP investment, which the company says will elevate its capabilities within the medical sector.
The successful bid for this accreditation is the result of four years’ work within the company, assisted by Invest Northern Ireland and Innovate UK, and investment in research and development (R&D), innovative technology and new machinery. The investment has enabled The Exact Group to develop specialist skills that will ensure it can meet the cosmetic, volume, regulatory and testing requirements of its medical customer base.
A specialised cleanroom environment for the Cerakote application process has been created at the company’s facility in Newry, and its significantly expanded composites department now houses a dedicated state-of-the-art finishing suite and five paint ovens for the preparation and finishing of all Cerakote products.
A versatile specialised protective thin film, Cerakote is 'revolutionising' multiple sectors globally, particularly medical, due to its robustness and ability to be applied to a variety of surfaces including metals, alloys, polymers, composites, wood and plastic, making it an ideal treatment choice for many companies.
The Exact Group says it becoming the product of choice for use in the medical sector due to the substance being designed to enhance the performance of medical devices, from surgical instruments to diagnostic equipment, as well as being used in knee and ankle prosthetics globally.
It is formulated to meet the strictest bio-compatibility standards, meaning it is safe to be used on items that are in contact with the human body. Its hydrophobic and oleophobic coating keeps devices free from moisture and oil, and ensures consistent performance in all conditions, whilst the anti-glare coating can improve visibility in surgical settings.
Cerakote can also incorporate anti-microbial properties, which provide an extra layer of protection against pathogens and contributes to patient safety, whilst minimising infection control.
The Exact Group offers a range of services across sectors including aerospace, automotive, electrical, energy, marine, MedTech and transport, but one of its specialisms is its offering to the medical sector, increasingly working with some of the leading companies across Ireland.
Ronan Callan, The Exact Group’s Director of Operations commented: “This latest development demonstrates our commitment to constantly evolving our products to anticipate and meet each customer’s unique requirements. Our new accredited status and the completion of training with Cerakote will significantly expand our customer base, while enhancing our reputation as a technical expert in delivering complex and highly specialised services to the MedTech sector.
“The Exact Group offers more than just the application process of Cerakote – we are utilising our extensive engineering expertise and technical knowledge, in addition to the whole package of traceability, FAI and conformity and that’s something that has been largely welcomed by our customer base.”
Nemo Reeve, Development Manager at Cerakote UK said: “We are delighted to welcome The Exact Group to our Certified Cerakote Applicator Network, following completion of the training programme by the company’s skilled painters at its facility in Newry, Northern Ireland. The Exact Group’s technical knowledge and engineering expertise allows the company to optimise application techniques and adjust skill sets to really get the best out of Cerakote.”
Dr Vicky Kell, Director of Innovation, Research and Development at Invest Northern Ireland added: “The Exact Group recognises the value of investing in innovation and R&D to remain competitive and continue to grow its business outside Northern Ireland.
“With our support, its investment in R&D has resulted in it developing pioneering film coating which has led to its success with Cerakote. This new service is now set to open the door to many new opportunities, sales and customers for the company. We will continue to work with The Exact Group to ensure it has the right tools to push the boundaries of innovation, maintain its competitive edge and continue its growth.”
Callan added: “The introduction of Cerakote to The Exact Group’s offering gave our customers a superior solution for coating different types of materials, and enabling protection from the elements; we quickly realised that it is a fantastic product that outperforms many other solutions. We are confident that it will help us revolutionise the sectors that we work in and allow us to continue to innovate and collaborate with other industry leaders.”
The Exact Group is committed to the highest standards of quality and excellence and currently holds the EFQM 5 Star and SC21 Silver awards, in addition to the ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 standards.
