Medtronic

Summary

In this video, Anthony visits Medtronic in Norfolk, Nebraska, formerly known as Cavidan and Sherwood Medical, for an in-depth tour of the facility. Guided by David K., the operations manager, Anthony explores various departments including blood collection, probe cover production, and diabetic syringe manufacturing. He meets HR assistant Kayla, a quality engineer, and a manufacturing engineer, learning about their roles, educational backgrounds, and day-to-day responsibilities. The tour highlights the company’s commitment to innovation, quality, and employee engagement. Anthony is impressed by the teamwork, dedication, and small-town community atmosphere, ultimately portraying Medtronic as a dynamic and rewarding workplace.

Takeaways

• 😀 Medtronic Norfolk, formerly Cavidan and Sherwood Medical, manufactures medical products including probe covers, blood collection devices, and diabetic syringes.
• 😀 The facility produces millions of units weekly, highlighting a high-volume, efficient production environment.
• 😀 David K, the Operations Manager, emphasizes innovation and continuous improvement in both product quality and manufacturing processes.
• 😀 The HR department, led by Kayla, recruits employees with a wide range of educational backgrounds, from high school diplomas to master's degrees.
• 😀 Quality Engineers, such as Leslie, ensure products meet safety and functionality standards, often requiring a background in industrial engineering.
• 😀 Manufacturing Engineers and Process Inspectors play a critical role in overseeing production lines, controlling processes, and ensuring product quality.
• 😀 The facility has a strong culture of collaboration and family-like atmosphere, with employees showing genuine interest in each other's lives.
• 😀 Visitors on the tour are required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) including hair/beard nets and ear protection to maintain safety and product integrity.
• 😀 Employees like Process Inspectors directly contribute to producing products that can save lives, emphasizing the meaningful impact of their work.
• 😀 The Norfolk location reflects a balance between small-town community values and advanced medical manufacturing technology, making it a supportive and engaging workplace.
• 😀 The tour demonstrates the diverse range of careers available at Medtronic, including electricians, tool technicians, mold techs, operators, and engineers.

Q & A

Where is Medtronic located and what were its former names?

Medtronic is located in Norfolk, Nebraska. It was formerly known as Cavidan and, before that, Sherwood Medical.

What types of products are manufactured at the Norfolk Medtronic facility?

The facility produces blood collection devices, probe covers (about 16 million units weekly), and diabetic syringes, with millions of syringes produced daily.

What roles does David K, the Operations Manager, highlight about the company's work culture?

David K emphasizes innovation, continuous improvement, and encouraging both floor employees and engineering staff to make products better every day.

What kind of educational background is required for employment at Medtronic?

Education requirements range from high school diplomas to four-year college degrees or even master's degrees, depending on the role.

What is Kayla's role at Medtronic and what does she handle?

Kayla is a Human Resources Assistant responsible for hiring, recruiting, and employee-related processes.

What does a Plant Quality Engineer do at Medtronic?

A Plant Quality Engineer ensures that products meet quality standards, function properly, and are safe for patients. They often have a background in industrial engineering and experience in production supervision or validation.

What safety precautions are required when touring the production floor?

Visitors must wear personal protective equipment, including hair and beard nets and earplugs, to prevent contamination and protect hearing due to loud machinery.

How does a Manufacturing Engineer contribute to Medtronic's production process?

Manufacturing Engineers manage the production process, oversee automated systems like robots, solve problems, and ensure process control to meet production targets, such as producing 2 million probe covers per day.

What is the role of a Process Inspector in the facility?

Process Inspectors perform quality checks on the production line to ensure products are assembled correctly and function properly, playing a critical role in patient safety.

How does the company culture at Medtronic Norfolk benefit employees?

The company culture emphasizes a family-like, supportive environment, strong community connection, teamwork, and meaningful work that directly impacts patient care.

How long have some employees, like the Process Inspector, been working at Medtronic?

Some employees have long tenures; for example, the Process Inspector mentioned in the video has been working at Medtronic for 23 years.

What impressed Anthony the most during his tour of Medtronic?

Anthony was most impressed by the high volume of products manufactured, the strong work ethic of the employees, and the combination of small-town community feel with advanced manufacturing operations.