ST. PAUL, MN - Lt. Governor Tina Smith and LifeScience Alley toured Olympus Surgical Technologies America (OSTA) today, as part of a week of activities devoted to recognizing the global impact of Minnesota's medical technology community. In April 2015, OSTA opened the doors to its new state-of-the-art Surgical Innovation Center in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The facility, which serves as the North American center for Olympus Corporation's surgical energy business, is a 180,000 square foot hub for RandD, manufacturing and training activities employing more than 250 Minnesotans. OSTA, which has had operations in Minnesota since 2001, chose the state and location because of the strength of the medical technology community and the availability of talent for headcount expansion.

 

Olympus and other companies like it are making significant contributions to Minnesota's robust medical technology industry, for the health of patients worldwide, said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. Innovative companies like Olympus are driving additional economic growth and creating well-paying jobs for Minnesotans. The Governor and I are committed to supporting Minnesota's medical technology sector, and building an economy that works for all Minnesotans.

Officially proclaimed Minnesota MedTech Week by Governor Mark Dayton, November 3-6, 2015, will feature a series of site visits, roundtable discussions and events showcasing the innovative organizations in Minnesota's Medical Alley.

 

Minnesota's Medical Alley region represents the most densely concentrated cluster of medical technology in the United States, employing nearly 35,000 people across more than 600 organizations dedicated to the design, development and manufacture of products and services used around the world. The state is home to major operations or headquarters for global medtech leaders like 3M, Boston Scientific, Medtronic and St. Jude Medical. In the last three years, 34 companies, including Olympus, have relocated to, expanded to or expanded within Minnesota, resulting in the creation of a prospective 2,073 jobs.

 

Olympus is honored to host the Lt. Governor and looks forward to showcasing the advancements of our surgical energy devices offered to the health care marketplace, said Joe Doherty, chief operating officer, OSTA. We appreciate the continued support from the State of Minnesota and look forward to bringing more jobs to the community.

LifeScience Alley is a global leader in enabling health technology and care organizations to innovate, succeed and influence the evolution of healthcare. By influencing proactive policy change, delivering actionable information and intelligence and uniting members with critical resources, we work to ensure that Minnesota's Medical Alley remains the world's strongest health technology community. The Association's membership and supporting community extends throughout the world, employing more than 300,000 Minnesotans and many more globally. Learn more at www.LifeScienceAlley.org.

 

A member of the worldwide Olympus group of companies, Olympus Surgical Technologies America (OSTA) was created in April 2012, consolidating the North American-based RandD and manufacturing functions of Gyrus ACMI Inc. acquired by Olympus in 2008. OSTA is a proven technology leader in the field of minimally invasive surgery device development and manufacturing in the specialty areas of Urology, Gynecology, Ear Nose and Throat, and General Surgery. The Company encompasses four locations in the United States including its headquarters in Southborough, MA, and three manufacturing facilities in Bartlett, TN; Brooklyn Park, MN; and Norwalk, OH. For more information, visit www.olympus-osta.com.