Top Line Constantly Growing In The Manufacturing Of Process Equipment <I>Pharmaceutical Online Interview With Kevin O'Donnell, Top Line</i>

The editorial staff at Pharmaceutical Online recently sat down with Kevin O'Donnell, President and CEO of Top Line Process Equipment Company, to discuss the company and how, with continued introduction of new products, Top Line is continuing to position themselves as a leader in several markets. Top Line manufactures pumps, valves, and fittings for the pharmaceutical industry. Enjoy the discussion.

For more information, or to contact Top Line, click here.

Explain to our readers what products and services Top Line offers?

Top Line provides an extensive line of process equipment including hygienic stainless steel pumps, valves, fittings, tubing, custom specialties, gauges, strainers and much more to the pharmaceutical, biotech, and personal care industries. Top Line is an active member of the ASME BPE committees that help to write the specifications for the products used in our markets.

What are the typical applications for your products?

Top Line products are used throughout all pharmaceutical, biotech, and personal care processing facilities. From raw material processing, to manufacturing and batch production of the products, through the elimination of waste and handling of bi-products, Top Line's valves, pumps, fittings, tubing, and specialty products play a vital role in the transportation of these consumable and injectable products throughout the production process due to the high quality and reliability of its components.

What are some other applications for your products in other industries?

Top Line also plays an integral role in providing similar products to the food, dairy, beverage, semiconductor, and automotive waterborne paint industries. The same high degree of quality and craftsmanship goes into making products to assist in the production of the consumable products in these markets.

What products are you most excited to exhibit or unveil in the next 3-6 months?

Top Line is excited about the success it has had in the development and production of its diaphragm valve product line that is second to none in the industry. From the workmanship that goes into manufacturing the components, to the design and problem-solving abilities in manufacturing specialty valves, we are soon to be recognized throughout the world for this product line and the value that it provides. This along with ongoing product improvements, feature enhancements, competitive pricing and excellent delivery performance makes it an easy choice to choose as an alternative to what has been available in the past.

These products and others can be seen at INTERPHEX events such as Puerto Rico in February and New York City in April along with many regional exhibits throughout the year through our association with ISPE.

How has the increased number of International manufacturing facilities affected the way Top Line markets their products?

Top Line does indeed market its products internationally. With the increased movement of multinationals building production plants throughout the world, it makes it an easy market to target in that we are ultimately working with the same personnel and the same corporate engineers and engineering firms. Top Line is currently active in Canada; South and Central America; Mexico; Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, and the UK in Europe; and many developing eastern nations including Singapore, Korea, China, and Taiwan.

How has the increased prices of stainless steel affected the daily operations of Top Line?

Certainly, rising raw material prices put an additional burden on the smooth flow of competitive products. One must constantly identify material cost increases and work with suppliers of raw materials and components in order to manage these increases effectively while holding on to your competitive position. There must be a fine balance between the increases in raw material cost and the increases in the price of your finished products.

How would you characterize Top Line's current position in the market?

Constantly growing. With the continued introduction of new products and the development of new and bigger customers, we are continuing to position ourselves as a leader in these markets. This, with a strong movement into the international arena, we see no end in sight as to our future growth and success.

Top Line is a member of the Allegheny Bradford Corporation family of companies. Top Line's association with its sister company, Allegheny Bradford Manufacturing, provides access to the leading individuals in the engineering, manufacturing, and project management segments at our end user's facilities.

What do you consider the biggest obstacle for pharmaceutical manufacturers in today's marketplace?

This, I believe, lies in the world of politics and political intervention. The atmosphere in some political circles seems to be that the pharmaceutical companies are making excessive profits and they feel it is their job to intervene. No one, however, seems to be putting a value on the tremendous amount of money these companies spend on R&D prior to the realization of any profits whatsoever. This investment is immense and can last years until a new drug comes to trial. This is an extremely slippery slope and I believe I will leave it at that.

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