As the world of medical devices continues to evolve, it is the innovative and forward-thinking companies like Odyssey Medical Technologies that are at the forefront of driving change. With over 40 years of medical device manufacturing experience under its belt, Odyssey Medical Technologies is a company that has been shaped by the industry’s ever-changing landscape.
A Mission Born from Passion and Expertise
For Ken Birdsong, CEO of Odyssey Medical Technologies, his passion for medical device manufacturing began over four decades ago. With a background in Quality Systems Management and a certification as a Certified Quality Engineer through the American Society for Quality, he has spent his career developing technical solutions and executing them with precision. This expertise has been distilled into his company’s mission: Technical Solutions and the Odyssey EDGE (Every Day Great Execution). This focus on delivering high-quality products and services has been the cornerstone of Odyssey Medical Technologies’ success.
Supplying Solutions to the Medical Device Industry
Odyssey Medical Technologies’ primary focus is on supplying solutions to the medical device industry. The company has developed a unique approach to resolving customer issues by integrating technical capabilities with enterprising means. One such example is its ability to over-mold metal components with surgical-grade polymers, reducing customer costs and enabling the kitting of sterile package products.
Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship
While starting a business can be a daunting task, Ken Birdsong’s extensive experience in the medical device industry has provided him with a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed. He notes that one of the biggest challenges is understanding customer needs without them saying so. “You have to be attuned to the industry’s future technologies and be able to anticipate what customers will need before they even know it themselves,” he explains.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
To stay informed on current healthcare advancements, Ken Birdsong maintains a network of contacts within the med-device industry and reviews emerging technology publications. He also attends seminars and conventions to stay up-to-date on the latest developments. This combination of practical experience and industry knowledge has enabled Odyssey Medical Technologies to address issues before they arise.
Implementing Technology for Success
As a regulated industry, Odyssey Medical Technologies must adhere to FDA and ISO standards. To ensure compliance, the company has developed a robust process called Contract Review, which assesses the Design Transfer Process from customers and connects backward to their Design History File. This process delivers a robust design for manufacturability.
Future-Proofing in a Competitive Environment
In an industry where competition is fierce, Odyssey Medical Technologies has positioned itself to stay ahead of the curve by interpreting market movements and positioning itself to “pull” customers or “push” them into advances. By staying attuned to customer needs and anticipating market trends, the company is well-equipped to adapt to changing circumstances. A further example of this adaptation would be their customer’s “speed-to-market” requirements. Odyssey implemented a fully dedicated area in both personnel and equipment to produce customs, special products and prototypes. This area has been named SCP to ensure the full capability is present and available to speed the completion for their customers. The lead-times are easily reduced by 50-70% versus normal production times.
A Wealth of Knowledge and Experience
Ken Birdsong’s educational and professional background have played a significant role in shaping his approach to serving clients. With a bachelor’s degree in Quality Systems Management and certification as a Certified Quality Engineer, he has honed his skills in design and performance rationale. His experience managing 600 employees and overseeing a $100M international medical device contract manufacture has given him a deep understanding of what it takes to deliver high-quality products and services.
Addressing Industry Challenges
When asked what challenges the industry should address, Ken Birdsong notes that managing 3-D printing of devices and better aligning disposable goods for surgery with the supply chain are two key areas that require attention.
Innovation and Growth
Looking ahead, Odyssey Medical Technologies is considering both 3-D printing of instruments and sterile packaging capabilities for medical device components. This move will enable the company to further differentiate itself in an increasingly competitive market.
Advice for Emerging Entrepreneurs
Finally, Ken Birdsong offers some sage advice for young entrepreneurs embarking on their business journey: “I have a 4M strategy for assessing and planning start-ups and operating companies: Market, Model, Management, Money. What is the MARKET condition that needs addressing? What is the MODEL to resolve/address the condition? Who is the MANAGEMENT TEAM to facilitate the Model? And, how much MONEY is needed, then multiply times 3 to address the market condition utilizing the model.”
As Odyssey Medical Technologies continues to navigate the ever-changing landscape of medical device manufacturing, its commitment to innovation, expertise, and customer satisfaction will undoubtedly position it for continued success in this critical industry.
About Ken Birdsong, CEO: A Seasoned Executive with a Proven Track Record
Ken Birdsong is a seasoned executive with an exceptional record of delivering revenue, profit, and market share growth for industry leaders in medical device, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing, including Sandvik, Doncasters, and Smith & Nephew. His expertise spans both early-stage and Fortune 500 firms, where he has successfully directed turnarounds, driven organic and M&A-fueled growth, and improved shareholder value. He has also gained significant experience in startup, spin-off, divestiture, and post-merger integration projects. His skills enable him to propel growth for organizations by driving cutting-edge product development from R&D to commercialization, developing and executing aggressive marketing and sales strategies, improving processes to control costs and maximize profitability, and recruiting and motivating top talent to exceed expectations.
As a natural leader, Ken combines superior analytic, technical, and managerial skills to foster organizational excellence and seize emerging business opportunities. With a proven knack for turning disruptive technologies into money makers, Ken holds a Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management from the University of Memphis, an Executive Finance Certificate from Duke University, and a Six Sigma Black Belt Manager Certificate. His specialties include Revenue Growth, Strategic Planning, P&L Management, Business Development, Mergers & Acquisitions, Product Development, Research & Development, Capital Markets, Investor Relations, Startups, Turnarounds, Global Supply Chain Management, Lean Manufacturing, and Six Sigma.
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