Identification of the Major Cost Drivers within a Medical Nonwovens Pipeline

The objective of this research was to gain a better understanding of a medical nonwoven pipeline in terms of the specific cost drivers associated with it. This was achieved by mapping the pipeline, identifying the processes and components, and finally, identifying the cost drivers associated with the pipeline. Interviews with academic and industry experts revealed that the medical nonwovens industry is very complex. There are many players within the pipeline, consisting of roll goods manufacturers, converters, distributors/wholesalers, and end customers. The results prove to contribute to the body of knowledge in that they offer an in depth look at the pipeline structure, the major cost drivers and their interrelationship to one another, and the overall structure and shape of the medical nonwovens industry. Included in the results are a medical nonwovens pipline map, which contains the key elements and processes within the pipeline, and the cost drivers associated with them. In addition to the findings of this research, recommendations for future research are made concerning the topics of cost modeling, data extraction, nonwovens processing and materials, testing standards, supply chain management, medical nonwovens in North Carolina, and sourcing decisions for converters.