20 years lie between these pictures, and a flourishing business relationship has developed into a great friendship long ago.

In the late 90’s, Jonathan Thorne (CEO & President, Silverglide Surgical Technologies) was shown what he described as the “perfectly balanced bipolar forceps” by a surgeon he knew in California. It did, however, as all bipolar forceps at the time, stick to tissue. He called it a “good coincidence” that he was introduced to Bert Sutter shortly after, only to find out that it was Sutter who manufactured the bipolar forceps he had seen in California. 

The two joined forces and decided to combine Sutter’s manufacturing and engineering skills with Jonathan’s idea for a non-stick solution for bipolar forceps – the Silverglide non-stick bipolar forceps were born, the first true non-stick bipolar forceps.

Later, Sutter developed a new technology with the SuperGliss® non-stick bipolar forceps. That meeting with Jonathan Thorne, however, was the beginning of our success as a leading manufacturer of non-stick bipolar forceps. 

20 years after their first meeting, Jonathan Thorne visited our company again this week. Reason enough for us to share a little bit of our company history with you today.

A few thoughts by CEO Bert Sutter about Jonathan's visit in Freiburg:

It was great to have Jonathan in Freiburg. Thank you, Jonathan, for the friendship that has outlasted a successful business relationship. Good old days have turned into a bright today and even brighter future. I am grateful for the journey in non-stick technology and for all the wonderful people along the way.