Aussie bone pioneer breaks into exports

A $20,000 investment in the early 1990s has turned into a multi-million-dollar business for Consulting Orthopaedic Surgeon to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Mr. Tony Ingman, with surgical implant sales to hospitals nationally and exports to China, Europe and the Middle East.

Mr Ingman pioneered the use of surgical bone implants made of high strength stainless steel, initially producing them from a back room in his Unley surgery that was converted into a machining workshop. Today, Mr Ingman's company, Austofix, operates from a purpose-built factory in North Plympton, using state-of-the-art lathes, machining equipment, laser engravers and a packing clean room to produce surgical implants that are used worldwide.

Austofix, which employs a staff of 12 and celebrates its 10th anniversary this month, also provides contract services for high-precision metal engineering to other Australian manufacturers. The company is winning the battle in a fiercely competitive global industry, using its advanced design and manufacturing capabilities to win business against much larger multinational rivals.

As a practising surgeon, Tony Ingman developed an interest in surgical implants in the 1980s when he researched modifying implants used at Royal Adelaide Hospital. "I saw the need for the implants to be stronger while keeping nail diameter to a minimum," he said. "This enabled them to be easily inserted and reduced the need for 'reaming', by which I mean drilling the space for the nail."

Mr Ingman pursued his idea of creating an entire range of implant nails from a different material - high nitrogen stainless steel - by working with developers from other sectors, including the defence industry. High nitrogen, or special high strength stainless steel, as it also is termed, is stronger than titanium alloys and commonly used implant grade stainless steels.

After taking the plunge to form a company and obtain a TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) Manufacturing Licence, Mr Ingman made an initial $20,000 outlay to purchase the required inventory for Austofix. Extensive clinical trials followed in the mid-1990s, with excellent results and the seven nails in the Austofix Intramedullary Nailing System were marketed throughout Australia, through participation in medical conferences and exhibitions.

Austofix produced strong sales throughout Australia before moving into export markets through distribution agreements. The company has experienced extensive success in China, which has become its largest export market.

Tony Ingman continues as a part-time orthopaedic surgeon while his son, Peter, runs Austofix. Peter Ingman said the next stage in the company's growth involved leveraging its sophisticated manufacturing facilities. "It is the logical step to take," he said.