Component-maker MCS is responding to increased cost down pressures in the automotive sector by moving into the medical-equipment market.

The Worcestershire company, which is a second-tier supplier to companies such as German car maker BMW, Ford, Nissan and Rover, has set up a sister firm to help it diversify into the lucrative surgical segment.

It now hopes to supply orthopaedic and dental implants with the same equipment it uses to make clutch and brake cables for cars.

The firm, which employs 45 people at its base in Redditch, was of the exhibitors at the Medical Device Technology (MDT) show which recently took place at the NEC.

Managing director Jim Gray said: "We are responding to the global economy where cost down pressures are increasing and it is getting harder and harder to compete with China and eastern Europe."

The company has already clinched three orders and is hopeful of signing more.

Currently about 60 per cent of the company's £2.5 million turnover is from the automotive industry, with the remainder coming from supplying parts for drinks dispensers and stair lifts.

Sales and marketing director Warren Gray came up with the idea to diversify when he was at the MDT show two years ago.

Last year he travelled to the Medica Show in Germany with Medilink, a membership organisation which proactively helps companies access the medical and healthcare sectors.

Mr Gray said: "I went up to one of the displays, which had spinal screws on them, and thought we could make those.

"We are making the parts which are stopping the car with the break system for example; these are all items which are safety critical.

"If you have the quality to make parts for cars, then you have the right standards to make medical parts as well.

"It's not easy, but we have been lucky because we had everything in place to do it, things like a trained workforce and have invested in the best CNC machines, non-contact measurement systems and photometrics."

MCS Medical has already linked up with Worcestershire-based Judd Medical to develop a refined version of an innovative surgical pin.

Peter Judd, managing director, said: "This unique product was developed by a UK surgeon to retract the bone during hip revision procedures.

"We chose MCS Medical to supply pin as it is an established and respected manufacturer in the West Midlands which has the technology, expertise and enthusiasm to produce this exacting type of product."

Mr Gray said: "Originally, the pin was manufactured with the head and shaft made from two pieces.

"Working closely with Judd Medical, we have further refined the design by engineering the pin from a single piece of polished stainless steel.

"This makes for a more robust product and provides for ease of sterilisation."

Mr Gray said the company had spent £150,000 on a new high precision CNC machine which can do thread whirling, as well as gun drilling and high pressure cooling.

It has also developed a dental screw, which is 1mm in diameter and is used to attach false teeth.

Currently MCS Medical produces everything to order and according to designs from customers, but Mr Gray said the firm would like to work with surgeons to develop its own range of products.

He noted: "We want to get involved in medical because there is less uncertainty. It is also a growing market.

"Medical technology is recession proof, especially with an aging population which is going to want more implants.

"Meanwhile, as technology advances, the implants will get smaller so there will be more scope to use them."