Survey participants were also asked about which cost elements are taken into consideration when calculating their overall equipment cost of ownership. Responses revealed that many significant cost components such as spare parts, consumables, and cost of failures, are not included by most companies in their overall cost evaluation and comparison.

Industry managers commented during panel discussions that there appears to be a growing acceptance of the valuable role a supplier can play in developing optimized product and service solutions. By following examples in other advanced industries such as the semiconductor industry, suppliers could become essential partners in developing biopharma processes and operational excellence. Wise partnership models would allow manufacturing companies to rely on the expertise suppliers have gained from working with various manufacturing companies and on their vast understanding of regulatory requirements.

For more information related to consortium activity or the biopharma survey, please visit Tefen's website http://www.tefen.com/ or e-mail alondon@tefen.com