Charlotte USA’s approach to workforce development has become a national model. Tuesday night, President Barack Obama singled out the synergy between Siemens and Central Piedmont Community College in creating a desirable and skilled workforce. This relationship is just one example of the strength of the 16-county Charlotte region.
With a population of 2.6 million and a workforce that is expected to reach 1.5 million by 2013, the region is poised for substantial economic growth. Last year, Forbes named Charlotte one of the best retirement places in the country. An ever increasing and aging population presents the region with challenges but also with unique opportunities. The need for quality and available health-care increases as the population increases. The medical device industry has discovered this opportunity and is finding a strong niche market in Charlotte USA.
The Charlotte region has the largest concentration of medical device manufacturers in the Carolinas. More than 8,000 workers are employed at over 280 firms in the medical device and equipment manufacturing sector in the region. And these companies are enjoying the strength of our regional assets.
Charlotte USA is home to major medical centers including the Carolinas Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in the Carolinas and the 3rd largest in the U.S. The North Carolina Research Campus, a $1 billion, 350-acre biotech campus is home to research programs of private biotechnology and healthcare companies and all research universities in the UNC System, including Duke, University of North Carolina Charlotte and North Carolina State. The Charlotte Research Institute’s Center for Precision Metrology and Center for Optoelectronics are global programs, both in scope and reputation.
Medical resources are not the region’s only strength. Charlotte USA’s workforce and location offers significant advantages for the medical device industry.
Linet, a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-tech hospital beds, opened their Linet America’s North American headquarters in Charlotte in 2010. Colin Bain, President & CEO commented that “the company chose Charlotte due to the region’s highly attractive local labor pool of skilled professionals in the health care field, along with the ability to recruit employees and attract talent to the area.”
Other companies in the Charlotte region have also found strength in the regional workforce. Screwmatics, in Pageland, SC supplies machined components for various medical devices used in Insulin delivery systems as well as components that are assembled to retrieve biopsies of internal organs such as the liver and pancreas. The company has experienced steady growth in many sectors, but specifically in machined medical device component parts.
Components used in the medical device industry are complicated and smaller than most machined parts, resulting in the need for a highly skilled machinist. Screwmatics indicated the strength of the workforce as a factor in the company’s success. Charlotte USA has an available workforce that is able to tap into the region’s strong technical and community college training programs. Screwmatics commented, “nearby technical colleges are very valuable assets in training of employees. The technical college is able to provide personalized training on high precision computer numerical controlled equipment and software needed in design and quality control systems.” From a skilled workforce to high-quality training programs, Charlotte USA is poised for business success as Screwmatics noted the Charlotte region “is an area for competitive wages, as well as an area where residents possess a strong work ethic”.
Charlotte USA prides itself on the strength of the workforce, however, the availability to move product is a key component to economic success for the region. Linet’s Charlotte headquarters also serves as the company’s shipping hub, making transportation a key component to its success. Bain recently commented on the importance of Charlotte Douglas International Airport in deciding to locate in Charlotte USA. “Direct access to an international airport with daily domestic flights in the U.S. with additional access to Europe and South America” was vital for Linet, not to mention easy shipping points through Charleston harbor along with freight routes traveling on I-85 and I-40.
Charlotte USA is energized. From a growing population that has developed into a highly skilled workforce to a region with advanced logistical opportunities, our region is positioned for economic growth. Companies that have found their way to Charlotte USA continue to enjoy the abundance of the region’s resources. Colin Bain sums up Linet’s feelings about Charlotte USA by commenting, “We are committed to the local area! Charlotte has a great business community and we’re glad to be part of one of the most livable cities in the U.S.”
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