One of the oldest and most established medical technology companies in the country has chosen San Antonio as one of it’s newest places to grow.
The city has been abuzz with confidence since the May 11 announcement that California–based Medtronic Diabetes has chosen San Antonio to place a branch that will continue their work in diabetes treatment.
The welcoming committee that greeted leaders of Medtronic Diabetes was a veritable who’s who of Texas.
Former Mayor Phil Hardberger, City Manager Sheryl Sculley, Congressman Ciro Rodriguez (D) and Governor Rick Perry were just a few of the city and state leaders that weighted the stage at the celebration announcement.
All personally welcomed Medtronic Diabetes President Chris O’Connell and Jeff Ruiz, general manager of Medtronic Diabetes San Antonio.
“We have never felt so much appreciated,” says Ruiz.
The hearty welcome was also thanks for the 1,300–1,400 jobs that the company will bring, augmenting San Antonio’s reputation as the perfect host city for biomed companies.
Medtronic San Antonio will be the communication bridge between customers who use their devices to manage their diabetes and an educated and trained support staff that counsels them in the product’s proper use.
The positions that will be hired this summer will be largely technical support positions where counselors will help patients understand and properly use Medtronic devices. Inside sales personnel will advise patients as to which device is best for them.
San Antonio is a highly appropriate choice. Along with the ever expanding medical center, the UT Health Science Center and the coming Medical Arts and Research Center, our rates of diabetes are twice the national average and we have the second highest death rate for diabetes among the 54 largest U.S. cities (Metro Health Department).
Medtronic will surely find a built–in customer base here. Ruiz also commends our city and our state's friendliness toward business and the low taxes and other incentives business here enjoys.
“Our company depends on our patients to survive,” says Ruiz. “Our patients who chose our products to help survive, they are core of our business.”
Medtronic Diabetes employees follow the company’s personal Golden Rule: Alleviate pain, restore health and extend life.
“Many of our workers were attracted to our company because they already had a personal relationship with diabetes,” says Ruiz.
Medtronic Diabetes is part of the larger company Medtronic. Earl Bakken and Palmer J. Hermundslie started the company in 1949 in a rented garage in Minnesota.
In 1957, they developed the first wearable external cardiac pacemaker. Since then, Medtronic has been the world's leading producer of pacing technology.
Some 26 years ago, they began developing devices to help those with diabetes manage their disease. The insulin pump was their brainchild, one of the most relied upon of devices by patients who must manage a disease that dictates their everyday lives.
Today, Medtronic engineers have created a more sophisticated insulin pump about the size of a small cell phone. Users simply attach the pump to their belt. It injects the fluid through a small tube and a cannula. Sometimes the pump can replace insulin injections.
Doctors want patients to test their levels 2–10 times a day and that can mean many small “ouches!” Medtronic’s sensor technology, a small dime sized catheter that rests under the skin, registers a user’s blood sugar at all times. With these two advanced devices, Medtronic awards patients a vacation from the daily job of diabetes management.
Why San Antonio?
“After extensively evaluating some 900 locations, we chose San Antonio because of the quality of life, the skilled labor and the openness and friendliness Texas and San Antonio have shown to business,” says Ruiz.
Why the “excuse the dust, we’re still growing” Rim?
“The location will accommodate growth,” says Ruiz. “We are not promising a future expansion right now but we have to know that we can grow. It’s also a situation that will attract the best talent. It has attractive amenities, it’s close to the interstate and our company will be visible from the highway and that offers a nice presence.”
The best talent refuses a three–hour commute.
“At the Rim is work, play and home are all right next door,” says Ruiz.
Others businesses are also settling alongside the Rim’s shops, movie theater and restaurants.
They and Medtronic know an important part of growing a business is also location, location, location.
