For once the tightly-controlled access to the IDS Automation production site was relaxed this week, as IDS celebrated the 1500th iSYS to roll off the manufacturing line. The doors of the Pouilly-en-Auxois factory were thrown open to assorted customers, suppliers, local dignitaries and other VIPs as we welcomed external partners who had contributed to the success of this instrument.
The on-site IDS staff mixed with guests during an open buffet, followed by cake (in the form of an iSYS, naturally) and a welcome speech by general manager Ed Coombes. The visitors then hived off into groups and were accompanied on a tour of the factory, with 6 stop-off points to learn about the activities of R&D engineers, software engineers, assembly technicians, QC managers, consumable manufacturing, and assay & systems integration.
With almost 90% of instruments manufactured exported to hospitals across the world, the French team made sure to raise a glass to the commercial efforts of their international colleagues, without whom the magic number of 1500 would never have been met!
Celebrations continued well after the last guest had left the building and the site was again locked down, ready to build instrument n° 1501 the next morning 😊