Somerset-Based MICRO Celebrates 70 Years in New Jersey

On Mar 4, 2015

This year, Somerset-based MICRO, a full-service contract manufacturer of precision medical devices, injection/insert molding and fabricated tube assemblies, celebrates 70 years of manufacturing excellence in New Jersey. The company, originally called Micro Stamping Corporation, was founded in 1945 in Maplewood by a four-person group that included Frank Semcer, Sr.  Operating in a 28,000-square-foot facility, the company focused primarily on manufacturing high-precision metal stampings.

Frank J. Semcer, company chairman and the founder’s son, joined MICRO in 1969 and bought the company eight years later.

“This anniversary honors 70 years of manufacturing excellence and successful operation,” said Frank J. Semcer.  “We are continually investing in new equipment and technologies to serve our customers.”

Under Semcer’s direction, the company grew from a small manufacturer of metal stampings to a leading global provider of medical device contract manufacturing services.

In 1988 MICRO moved to a modern 68,000-square-foot building at 140 Belmont Drive, Somerset.  Approximately seven years ago, MICRO expanded operations again, this time into an adjacent building at 100 Belmont Drive, and doubled its total manufacturing capacity in Somerset.

Moving to medical devices

Identifying the growth potential in the medical industry, MICRO opened a medical division in 1986 and soon began developing ligation clips for a New Jersey medical device manufacturer.  This work eventually established the company as one of the world’s largest manufacturers of titanium and stainless steel implantable devices.

In 1992, the company initiated the first development program for a major medical company and eventually received the first order for instruments that required an environmentally controlled room for cleanroom assembly.  To meet customer and surgical requirements, MICRO built its first cleanroom.  Today MICRO produces over 4 million of these endoscopic instruments annually in a completely renovated, Class 8 cleanroom.  In addition, it holds a patent on the tube-forming technology used for the instrument shafts.

Continued growth, improved capabilities 

Expanding its reach and building its global capabilities in the mid-2000s, MICRO established operations in Singapore and then Korea to supply metal injection molding (MIM), ceramic injection molding (CIM), support tooling and raw tubing material. These capabilities were all essential to making MICRO a truly full-service contract manufacturer.

In 2005 MICRO made a commitment to the convergence of metals and plastics manufacturing by opening a 20,000-sq.-ft. facility in Largo, Florida, for insert/injection molding, automated assembly, and stamping technologies.

One of MICRO’s newest technologies, the MICRO Electrolytic Dissolution process electrochemically removes metal from the work piece, resulting in an accurately machined, intricate part. What’s more, within the past year, MICRO added a new medical manufacturing department to perform precision machining with computer numerically controlled (CNC) capabilities.

“This is a very special year for our company and a true family affair,” said Chairman Frank J. Semcer. He manages the company now with his three sons and daughter: Brian Semcer, president; Frank Semcer, Jr., director of sales; Al Carolonza, Ddrector of business management and Paige McCann, manufacturing coordinator.

Approaching annual sales revenue of $100 million and employing more than 350 people, MICRO has grown steadily to become one of the leading global providers of outsourced manufacturing services, with more than 70 percent of its manufacturing to the medical device industry alone.

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