MINIMED OPENS NEW NORTHRIDGE FACILITY.Byline: Brent Hopkins Staff Writer NORTHRIDGE - Local medical manufacturer MiniMed unveiled its new headquarters, Alfred E. Mann Alfred E. Mann (born 1925, Portland, OR), who is also known as Al Mann, is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is a billionaire. Born and raised in Portland, his father was English and mother Polish. Biomedical bi·o·med·i·cal adj. 1. Of or relating to biomedicine. 2. Of, relating to, or involving biological, medical, and physical sciences. Park, on Thursday at the north end of California State University, Northridge CSUN offers a variety of programs leading to bachelor's degrees in 61 fields and master's degrees in 42 fields. The university has over 150,000 alumni. It's also home to a summer musical theater/theater program known as TADW (TeenAge Drama Workshop) that leads teenagers through an . The 504,000-square-foot building will accommodate 1,100 employees for the firm, which is relocating from Sylmar. The shiny glass and concrete structure at the corner of Devonshire Street and Zelzah Avenue will provide offices, laboratories and manufacturing space for the company, a leading maker of insulin pumps for diabetics. The facilities will provide MiniMed with a location to research and produce the vast majority of its products, including its insulin pump, which is worn by more than 100,000 diabetic patients. The compound will be further expanded in several years with the addition of another 150,000- square-foot wing. In lengthy opening ceremonies, attended by a host of local politicians, including Mayor Richard Riordan Richard J. Riordan (born May 1, 1930) is a Republican politician from California, U.S. who served as the California Secretary of Education from 2003–2005 and as Mayor of Los Angeles from 1993–2001. Riordan ran for Governor of California unsuccessfully in 2002. , speakers praised the center as an important tool for both San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. business development and CSUN CSUN California State University Northridge students. ``This piece of property has long been a source of dispute (concerning) what to use it for,'' said Councilman Hal Bernson. ``When we came across this project, we knew immediately it was just the right thing.'' The facility is large enough to accommodate an additional 2,900 employees, which the company expects to hire within the next few years, said Executive Chairman Al Mann, for whom the center is named. MiniMed has shown steady growth since it went public in 1995, he said, and he sees no sign of slowing. The new facilities will allow for greater intercompany relations, MiniMed President and Chief Operating Officer Chief Operating Officer (COO) The officer of a firm responsible for day-to-day management, usually the president or an executive vice-president. Terry Gregg said. ``It's already helping us,'' he said. ``We just outgrew out·grew v. Past tense of outgrow. our Sylmar plant. Being in five different buildings was very difficult for communications.'' Gregg credited Riordan as the driving force behind the relocation to Northridge. ``Mayor Riordan is personally responsible for bringing MiniMed here,'' he said. ``He has been a tremendous friend to us.'' The center's opening will be a boon to neighbor CSUN, university President Jolene Koester said. Though specifics have not yet been announced, MiniMed will provide employment for students through work-study programs, and has endowed the university with a scholarship fund. ``It's the beginning of a very vibrant partnership,'' Koester said. ``We look to a rich way to join together and provide education.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and Mayor Richard Riordan watch as MiniMed founder Al Mann hugs insulin pump wearer Tyler Roy, 8. John McCoy/Staff Photographer |
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