Olympus' new surgical innovation center

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota – Olympus, a precision technology leader in designing and delivering innovative solutions for medical and surgical procedures, among other core businesses, opened its state-of-the-art Surgical Innovation Center in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The new medical device research & development and manufacturing facility is designed to position the company for continued long-term growth in the surgical sector. The building dedication ceremony took place on April 27, 2015, and was attended by Mark Dayton, governor of Minnesota; Jeffrey Lunde, mayor of Brooklyn Park, MN; Hiroyuki Sasa, president, Olympus Corporation; Akihiro Taguchi, senior executive managing officer, Olympus Corporation; Georg Schloer, president, Olympus Surgical Technologies America (OSTA); and local politicians, executives, and professionals from the Brooklyn Park/Minneapolis community. The event featured a traditional Japanese Kagami Biraki Ceremony, ribbon cutting, and remarks, building tours, product demonstrations, and an introduction of new surgical devices.

“Olympus’ expansion is great news for our state and for the hundreds of Minnesotans this new facility employs,” Dayton said. “I thank Olympus for continuing its long-term commitment to Minnesota. We will do whatever we can to support its continued success.”

"The move marks a new era for OSTA, positioning our company for continued long-term profitable growth and as a strong contributor of success for Minnesota and its people,” Schloer stated. “Our new Brooklyn Park facility will play a leading role in the production of our disposable surgical energy devices, a core competency of Olympus. We are proud to manufacture these products in the United States and intend for our solutions to help healthcare professionals provide better, more efficient outcomes. The Minnesota community has been an integral part of the success of our manufacturing operations for the past 27 years, and we look forward to bringing more jobs to the community.”

Olympus decided to make Minnesota the North American center of its Surgical Business because of its central location in the United States, strong medical device industry and talented workforce. Since 2001, OSTA has conducted operations in Maple Grove, Minnesota, and in 2013 announced its plan to build a Surgical Innovation Center in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The move takes advantage of the area’s centralized location for the company’s existing workforce, beneficial financial incentives, and brand visibility along the highway 610 corridor. OSTA also has manufacturing facilities in Ohio and Tennessee and its headquarters in Massachusetts.

Prior to the creation of the Brooklyn Park Surgical Innovation Center, OSTA’s operation was spread out in five separate buildings in Maple Grove. The new purpose-built facility, an investment of more than $37 million, allows OSTA to house its Minnesota operations under one roof to realize operational efficiencies. The 180,000ft² structure is 15% larger than the former facility allowing continued expansion as the demand for surgical energy products grows.

"Brooklyn Park is excited to have been chosen by Olympus, after a nationwide search, to host their business expansion and new manufacturing facility. We are proud to add Olympus, a global brand, to our highway 610 job corridor, and look forward to a continued partnership with the company. Brooklyn Park has been very purposeful in our plans for the northern business area, and will continue to fully support the efforts of all businesses and their strategic goals," Lunde said.

Source: Olympus Surgical Technologies America