Operations & Lean Practices

Marine products company to add 80 jobs, invest $32.7 million to expand location in Lowell

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH (Dec. 21, 2023): Today, The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), announced that Navico Group, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE:BC) and the world’s leading supplier of integrated systems and products for the marine and RV industries, is investing in its Lowell operations, where it will create two Centers of Excellence in metal fabrication and electrification.

Medical device manufacturing company to add 75 jobs, invest $5 million to expand location in Greater Grand Rapids region

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH (Dec. 21, 2023): Today, The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), announced that leading manufacturer of surgical essentials and infection control products Aspen Surgical will be expanding their headquarters in Caledonia Township. The company plans to add 75 new well-paying jobs and $5M in capital investment. The company recently joined Symmetry Surgical to offer an expanded portfolio of trusted products essential to surgery, with enhanced efficiency and convenience from prep to close.

These portfolios provide clinicians with tools and trusted brands to advance the perioperative experience including Bard-Parker®, WriteSite®, Bookwalter®, Bovie,®and Olsen®. The company employs more than 225 Michiganders at its headquarters facility.

In October 2022, Aspen acquired Symmetry Surgical, a leading healthcare technology and solutions supplier of high-quality surgical instruments based in Nashville, Tenn. With this acquisition, the company plans to consolidate its warehousing and distribution centers into a leased space adjacent to its headquarters in Caledonia Township, where it will make upgrades to the building as well as add equipment and machinery.

"We are excited to partner with the state of Michigan to announce the growth of our headquarters and the upcoming opening of our new expanded distribution center in Caledonia,” said Aspen Surgical Products CEO Steve Blazejewski. “This expansion is a testament to Aspen Surgical’s growth and success, as well as our commitment to providing exceptional service to our customers across the healthcare continuum. With over 131,000 square feet of storage space and improved technology, the new distribution center will allow us to better meet our customers’ needs and provide a streamlined experience across the Aspen and Symmetry market-leading brands such as Bookwalter®, Bard-Parker®, and Bovie®.”

The Right Place worked closely with the MEDC to ensure the company continued its growth in the region rather than Symmetry Surgical’s existing operations in Nashville. They offered support by effectively organizing state and local resources. This included collaboration with the MEDC to secure a $600,000 performance-based grant through the Michigan Business Development Program.

This project highlights the state’s efforts to position Michigan as a leader in the life sciences and medical device industry, further helping to make Michigan a top-tier location for life sciences development and manufacturing. It will also solidify the company’s presence and future investment in the state.

“Aspen Surgical has been a cornerstone of our region's medical device community since 1999," said Eric Icard, Senior Director of Business Development at The Right Place and project lead. "This expansion reflects not only their success but also contributes to the overall prosperity of our region. Working alongside them and seeing their continued growth is truly gratifying.”

The Right Place plans to assist the company in finding candidates for the newly created positions through partnerships with West Michigan Works! and Grand Rapids Community College. Aspen offers competitive pay, various shift opportunities, and most benefits starting on the first day of employment. Information on career opportunities with Aspen Surgical can be found at aspensurgical.com/careers/.    

About The Right Place, Inc.
The Right Place, Inc., is a regional nonprofit founded in 1985 with the mission to drive sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity for all in the Greater Grand Rapids Region. The Right Place works to achieve this mission by focusing on three core areas: People, Place, and Prosperity. The Right Place is an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) as designated by The International Economic Development Council. Find out more by visiting www.rightplace.org, liking us on Facebook, and following us on LinkedIn. 

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