Our New Partnership: TASKA Prosthetics

Mike Thompson programmes the semi-automated twin spindle lathe DMG Mori NLX 2500, bought for the TASKA partnership.

United Machinists are delighted to announce our new partnership with Christchurch based and world-leading prosthetics firm, TASKA Prosthetics. Commercial Director, Sarah Ramsay said this partnership is not only a huge win for United Machinists but also for the New Zealand manufacturing and engineering industries.

After extensive research and trialling of both New Zealand and international suppliers, TASKA has settled on United Machinists as the first and only firm to achieve production volumes for the internal components of their prosthetic hands.

TASKA CEO, Jamie Cairns said TASKA was impressed with United’s professionalism and willingness to invest in new equipment and processes, “and most importantly their commitment to work above and beyond to help us meet our demand.”

The idea for TASKA came to be after founder Mathew Jury broke both his wrists in a cycling accident. While his injuries were not as serious as those faced by some of TASKA’s users he found that the upper-limb prosthetics market offering was not well served and he sought to change this. After years of rigorous research, funding and design, TASKA have successfully designed the world’s first waterproof and robust myoelectric multiarticulating prosthetic hand.

TASKA’s success reality has been driven by the desire to improve the lives of upper-limb amputees by reducing compromises in product design and manufacture. “It’s the little enhancements in everyday practicality that make a huge difference to quality of life,” said Cairns.

With the product being in high demand globally, TASKA’s partnership with United Machinists has opened up attractive export markets in Australia, America and Europe. The partnership has been a huge sense of pride for United Machinists, and our team. It is also a real win for New Zealand manufacturing to keep companies like TASKA sourcing from their own shores.

You can read more about our new partnership with TASKA Prosthetics on the Otago Daily Times article available online.