February 23, 2026 I MD&M 2026 Review and Interview with Steve Maxson
Sebastian Ablas in an interview with MedTech influencer Steve Maxson at MD&M West
Our managing director at Stamm Feindrahtwerk was interviewed at the Chamfr booth for the renowned podcast "MedTech Unboxed": a milestone for the BenderWire Group in the medical technology market.
When over 200 years of wire expertise meets medtech
At MD&M West 2026 in Anaheim, North America's largest trade fair for medical technology and advanced manufacturing with over 1,600 exhibitors, our managing director Sebastian Ablas received a special invitation: Steve Maxson, one of the most influential voices in the medtech industry, asked him for an interview at the Chamfr booth.
Steve Maxson is VP of Growth at Chamfr, the leading digital platform for medical technology components, and host of the podcast "MedTech Unboxed." With over 20 years of experience in medical technology manufacturing and his extensive network, Maxson provides a platform for innovators, suppliers, and visionaries in the industry. The fact that he has included the BenderWire Group in this circle is a recognition that makes us proud and confirms that our path into medical technology is being noticed.
Medical technology: An industry that changes lives
Medical technology is one of the most important industries of our time. From surgical instruments and implants to catheters and stents to minimally invasive procedures, medical devices save lives every day and improve the quality of life for millions of people worldwide. The global market for medical wires and cables alone is estimated to be worth around US$4.9 billion by 2026, with further growth driven by the trend toward miniaturization, more flexible devices, and increasing demand for precision components.
In this industry, every micrometer counts. The quality of a wire determines whether a stent will function reliably, whether a catheter can be guided safely, and whether an implant will last. There is no room for compromise here.
What the BenderWire Group brings to the table
This is precisely where our opportunity and our promise lie. As a group of companies with over 200 years of experience in wire manufacturing, we offer something that is rare in the medtech world: in-depth metallurgical knowledge, vertical integration, and process reliability that has grown over generations.
BenderWire Group in Minneapolis, from left: Sebastian Ablas (Managing Director, Stamm Feindrahtwerk) and Steve Maxson (MedTech influencer)
What this means in concrete terms was demonstrated at MD&M West:
- Strategic partnerships now give us capabilities that go far beyond our traditional portfolio, including high-precision flat wire solutions for the most demanding applications.
- Proprietary material development: Our "BenderWire 304NX" with its exceptional tensile strength properties is gaining noticeable traction in the market. For us, innovation means not only new products, but also new materials that push the boundaries.
- Diameter down to 0.011 mm – finer than a human hair, with consistent geometry and defined mechanical properties.
For manufacturers: A partner who thinks ahead
For medical technology manufacturers, OEMs, and startups, this means that the BenderWire Group is not just another wire supplier. We are a development partner who understands what precision means in medical technology and who has the vertical range of manufacture to transfer innovations from prototype to series production. Or as Sebastian Ablas put it in an interview: Innovation in medical technology does not always have to come from the usual suspects. Sometimes it takes 200 years of wire expertise looking at a new industry with fresh eyes.
The full interview is available in the original post on LinkedIn.
