Dignitaries from statewide government offices and local business leaders joined senior executives at Terumo's Ann Arbor campus to unveil the recently completed state-of-the-art manufacturing plant and expanded headquarters that has led to local job growth and reinforced the medical device company's commitment to Ann Arbor and the state of Michigan.
Terumo's operations have been part of the Southeastern (SE) Michigan medical device industry since the 1960s. Today, the campus serves as the corporate headquarters for two Terumo Corporation U.S. subsidiaries, Terumo Cardiovascular Systems and Terumo Heart, Inc. As a recipient of a 2008 Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) Grant, Terumo was able to transfer research, development and manufacturing operations from its plant in Tustin, California to its Ann Arbor campus. In the 18 months since receiving the grant, Terumo has nearly met the five-year hiring requirements by creating 63 new positions with additional positions expected in 2010. Terumo has also built a new chemistry lab, remodeled the existing buildings to suit the growth of the businesses, and added a significant addition to one of the office buildings. In addition, Terumo Heart has expanded their office space, hired new employees, and created a new world-class medical device manufacturing facility onsite.
"We are delighted that distinguished members of our state and local government and business leadership could join us today to celebrate our growth as evidenced by our new facility and manufacturing plant," says Mark Sutter, President and CEO, Terumo Cardiovascular Systems, "Terumo shares a long, successful history with Ann Arbor and the Southeastern Michigan community. The MEGA grant has certainly increased our ability to drive current and future growth, which benefits us all."
Both companies are focused on the research and development of world-class, life-saving medical device technology that benefits patient suffering from heart disease and serves the needs of the healthcare providers who treat them. Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women worldwide.
"At Terumo Heart, we're focused on advancing the pivotal clinical trial that we hope will lead to U.S. Food & Drug Administration approval of our next-generation DuraHeart™ Left Ventricular Assist System, which is designed to provide sustained quality of life to patients with late-stage heart failure until a suitable organ transplant can be located," says William Pinon, President and CEO, Terumo Heart. "Our new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant not only brings local prosperity, but allows us to produce a better product in a more efficient way."
According to Sutter and Pinon, this expansion creates an even stronger, mutually beneficial relationship between Terumo and the business community in Southeast Michigan that includes a stable, local work force in all job sectors: managerial, professional, technical, clerical and manufacturing, as well as increased outsourcing opportunities for local service businesses.
"As part of our 'go anywhere, do anything' plan to convince companies to bring business and jobs to Michigan, we met with Terumo officials in Japan," Governor Jennifer M. Granholm said. "Terumo is a perfect example of a company enjoying success in Michigan in one of the economic sectors we've targeted to diversify the state's economy."