VHEDC_2024D | Page 22

Health advancements

Innovize sustainably scales through automation & robotics integration .

HEALTH ADVANCEMENTS

Businesses in the Northeast Metro are playing a key role in health advancements that are improving the way healthcare is delivered not just here at home but around the world . In fact , a world leader in medical device component converting , which is the modification and assembly of various materials during the manufacturing of a medical product , is based in Vadnais Heights .

Innovize manufactures more than 2,000 different products for more than 200 different customers , making an estimated 200 million components each year .
“ We work largely with medical device companies similar to Medtronic , Boston Scientific or Abbott Laboratories .
Typically , they provide the design of the device . Sometimes we help them tweak their design to make it more manufacturable , then we will figure out how to make it efficiently ,” said Scott Bliss , VP & General Manager at Innovize .
Perhaps the best-known product manufactured at the company ’ s headquarters , located at 500 Oak Grove Parkway in Vadnais Heights , is the Gatorade Sweat Patch . It helps athletes maximize their performance by helping them keep track of their hydration levels .
Also being manufactured at Innovize are Kapton insulators for pacemakers and defibrillators , and multiple products for the diabetes market , including wearable sensors used to measure blood sugar and send signals to insulin pumps .
“ We specialize in manufacturing medical devices that stick to the skin using flexible , adhesive materials . That ’ s our expertise ,” said Stephanie Wright , Marketing and Customer Experience Manager for Innovize .
“ We have relationships with a lot of medical materials suppliers . So , we can do a lot of the heavy lifting for our customers to get the right materials for their application ,” added Ia Yang , Senior HR Generalist .
As recognition for living its purpose , which is to create a culture and products that improve people ’ s lives , the Manufacturers Alliance named Innovize Manufacturer of the Year in
22 Northeast Metro Business