International medical firm launches South Devon headquarters

A glass of German beer and a good old-fashioned Devon cream tea were the order of the day as a significant milestone was reached in the building of a company's new South Devon headquarters.

BOWA MEDICAL UK, a medical technology manufacturer launched locally in 1978 and now part of the German-owned BOWA group, is constructing its new HQ in Kingskerswell.

The company celebrated the topping out of the site with a German ‘Richtfest’ at Oak Tree Business Park.

Jens Kröber, CEO of the BOWA MEDICAL group, travelled from Gomaringen, Germany, to join the Directors of the UK division for the occasion. The event brought together representatives from Teignbridge Council, including local councillor David Palethorpe, along with team members from construction partners Devon Contractors, Pinnacle Architectural Design & Project Management Ltd, and Bailey Partnership Consultants.

Founded in Ashburton, BOWA MEDICAL UK became part of BOWA-electronic GmbH & Co. KG in 2016. The celebration combined their German and Devonian heritage: attendees raised a glass of German beer, toasting to good fortune for the building and its future occupants, before enjoying a Devon cream tea under the rafters.

Chris Graham, Managing Director at BOWA MEDICAL UK, addressed guests at the ceremony and said: "In German culture, this moment is often marked by gratitude to the team who brought the project to life – brick by brick and beam by beam. So let me take a moment to echo that sentiment and extend our deepest thanks to all the people who have made this vision a reality. This ceremony symbolises more than just reaching the highest point—it represents our shared commitment to quality, collaboration, and a bright future for all who will work, live, or gather in this space.”

Nigel Whelan, Managing Director of Devon Contractors, was pleased to mark this important moment and added: "Reaching this major milestone in the construction of BOWA MEDICAL UK is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved. The topping-out ceremony marks significant progress on a project that will provide a state-of-the-art facility for an industry-leading client. A huge well done to our dedicated team, supply chain partners, and the client team for their collaboration and commitment. We look forward to delivering the final stages of the build and seeing this fantastic facility come to life.”

The new Kingskerswell facility will significantly enhance BOWA MEDICAL UK’s capacity to meet growing demand for its products, including the world’s first torsional ultrasonic scalpel – LOTUS. It will also create room for future expansion, which is expected to generate new employment opportunities in the local area.

BOWA MEDICAL recently welcomed 21 South Devon College construction students to their new site.

Devon Contractors, the tour included a walkthrough of the site and a detailed explanation of the planning and building process. For many of the students, this visit was their first opportunity to see an active construction site, offering them a fresh perspective on the construction industry.

Carly Livesey, HR Manager at BOWA MEDICAL UK, said: "As a local employer, it’s important for us to give back to the community. This visit was a great opportunity to inspire students and provide them with a hands-on experience at our new site. We’ve had great success in hiring engineering apprentices through South Devon College, so we’re pleased to support the next generation of students who are developing their skills in construction.”

Nigel Whelan, Managing Director of Devon Contractors, added: "It’s vital to support and inspire the next generation of construction professionals. We are passionate about creating opportunities for students to experience real-world projects and gain valuable insights into the industry. At Devon Contractors, we take social value seriously, and initiatives like this allow us to share our progress and demonstrate the positive impact our projects can have on the community.”

Jack, a carpentry tutor at South Devon College, led the group of students and said: "It’s been a really good insight into how real sites work for the learners… signing in the staffroom offices and having a tour around the building just to understand and so they can get used to [it]. This has been a really good insight and hopefully they learn quite a bit from it.”