Possis, Inc.

Building a workforce to support emerging industries

"Technology does not stand still. It continues to advance and, to be competitive, you must embrace new technologies and methods and train your people in how to apply them. There is help available and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System is a great resource for Minnesota businesses."

- Robert Dutcher, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Possis, Inc.

Possis: Bringing Medical Possibilities to Life
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Industry: Medical device manufacturer
Employees: 220

The challenge:
Possis needed access to employees who have both technology development skills as well as the medical or clinical background necessary to succeed in the medical device manufacturing industry.

The solution:
Anoka-Ramsey Community College developed training programs to support rapid product development and new or improved manufacturing capabilities. Emphasis on improving decision making and planning processes and streamlining information management has helped Possis increase employee involvement and improve the overall technical capabilities of its staff. The college also developed three new biomedical technology programs in response to needs identified by Possis and other biomedical companies in the region.

The results:

• 80 to 90 percent of company employees trained
• Positive impact on the bottom line, including improved efficiency, reduced costs and improved gross margins
• Ongoing source of trained employees

Possis is actively engaged in advancing state-of-the-art treatment of coronary heart disease in the competitive medical device field. With Possis and numerous other medical technology companies located here, Minnesota holds a leading position as a center for medical technology development.

A continuing challenge for Possis is a lack of trained and educated employees. Robert Dutcher, Possis chairman, president and chief executive officer, believes Minnesota must "home grow" the capacity to provide the state with skilled employees.

With encouragement and assistance from Possis and other growing biotechnology firms in the Twin Cities, Anoka-Ramsey Community College developed three academic programs in biomedical technology now offered to the community. With 116 students currently enrolled, the programs are creating a pool of talent and skill for biomedical employers.

"Not only does the training we develop with the college help us," Dutcher said, "the clinical programs created as an outgrowth of our partnership with the college provide an ongoing source of trained employees for other medical technology companies in Minnesota."

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