PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release Friday June 23, 2006

Contact: Noel LaBine 763-477-3086

Sil-Pro a medical device company holds a Open House.

     

   

  Delano , MN -- With a large white tent, and balloons, guest were greeted to the Open House that Sil-Pro, a medical device manufacturer, held in Delano on June 22 nd . The guest list read like a Who's Who list of medical device manufacturers. Engineers from Boston Scientific, Medtronic, St. Jude Medical, and others were all over the place.

  On the second floor several vendors were allowed to set-up booth space, and there were representatives from California , Massachusetts , Michigan , Minnesota , and Illinois . Guests were given a tour of the plant, and over a hundred showed up to do the tour.

  On the south side of the parking lot, food was served under the large white tent. In the pleasant weather, many enjoyed the barbecued pork chops, beans, and salads.

     Sil-Pro, located in Delano , specializes in custom molded and extruded silicone parts for the medical industry. Customers for this growing high-tech business include major national firms such as C.R. Bard, Guidant Corp., Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic Inc., St. Jude Medical Inc., and 3M Co.

  Noel LaBine, Director of the Wright County Economic Development Partnership, was at the event and was greeted by Lee Carver, President of medical silicone molder Sil-Pro, L.L.C. and the Rubber & Plastics News' 2005 Rubber Industry Executive of the Year. Lee & Kevin Carver's partner, Paul Kadue of Precision Associates, Inc. in Minneapolis was also at the event. Roger Christopherson, Manager of Product Development at Medtronic, was at the event and praised the direction that the Carver's have taken Sil-Pro. Christopherson was involved in the first purchase order that Sil-Pro received several years ago. Also, Jeff Taylor of Smith Medical was delighted with the event. Dave Pool, Fuel Cell Program Manager at Entegris, said, “This is a First Class Event”. Sil-Pro has been manufacturing devices for the Entegris Fuel cell project.

  The Partnership exists to enhance the business climate of Wright County and to help create more jobs in Wright County . The strategies the Partnership uses to achieve its mission include being an information resource and finding technical assistance; aiding business development through Business Retention & Expansion visits, providing financing resources, and providing business information and training through seminars and workshops. Also, the Partnership markets Wright County to business site locators, and maintains an excellent website, which includes a listing of commercial and industrial property available in Wright County (see www.wrightpartnership.org ). The Partnership also assists with Workforce Development and has gathered economic statistical information, which is available on its website.