Lower thirds:

00:02 Report by Dan Hirschfeld
00:22 Florian Hoffmann | Implantcast Managing Director
00:56 Florian Hoffmann | Implantcast Managing Director
01:39 Andreas Reining | Implantcast Head of Machining
02:14 Florian Hoffmann | Implantcast Managing Director

Script:

This metal ball is part of an artificial hip joint. It's made from high-tech material that fuses with the bones in the body without causing inflammation. The hip joints, along with knee joints and prosthetic bones are tested and packaged in cleanroom conditions.
0.20
OT Florian Hoffmann, Geschäftsführer Implantcast ((Mann, Deutsch))
“Our products can be found in some of the most complex situations in operating theaters around the world.”
0.27
The company, Implantcast has some 800 employees and sells its products from its base in northern Germany primarily to European countries. But the US is also an interesting market for Florian Hoffmann. Approval procedures are more straightforward in the US. Under Trump's new tariffs, the US will charge 15 percent customs duties on imports, while US manufacturers would be able to export to Europe without paying customs duties. He sees this as an unfair competitive disadvantage.
0.55
OT Florian Hoffmann, Managing Director, Implantcast ((Mann, Deutsch))
"It undermines our ability to plan. None of us wants customs duties, neither in the whole economy or in German medium sized companies. It's toxic for growth. The question now is how do we deal with this in the coming weeks and months."
1.12
Hofmann discusses the new tariffs with his managers. Andreas Reinig oversees the automated milling machines that process heavy metal bars. A 15-percent tariff for exports to the US would translate into a price disadvantage against already strong US medical technology companies. There is only limited scope to make savings.  
1.37
Andreas Reining,  Head of Machining, Implantcast ((Mann, Deutsch))
"For production, we use bars made of titanium and cobalt-chrome. The price spiral is more likely to go up than down. We have a significant number of skilled workers in machining. And we don't want to -- we can't -- reduce our workforce."
1.56
Medical professionals are taught how to use Implantcast products at the company's own training center. Hoffmann is committed to expanding into the US market in the coming years, even with the new tariffs.
2.11
OT Florian Hoffmann, Geschäftsführer Implantcast ((Mann, Deutsch))
"We can't dismiss this 15 percent tariff out of hand. Every customer will ask why the product is getting more expensive. Even if the answer is in every newspaper. Our customers have used our products for a very long time and are convinced of their quality. I'm confident that we can pass on some of the price increase because the quality of the products simply justifies it."
2.31
One solution could be to become even more innovative. Implantcast is the global market leader in high-tech prostheses for tumor patients that grow with the patient, making repeated operations unnecessary. This is one area where customers can hardly ignore the German company – and will even accept higher prices, regardless of tariffs.