Page 79 - BV_May-June 2012

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May/June 2012 –
BizVoice
/Indiana Chamber
79
LARGE COMPANIES
females in the community to an engineering camp at
Purdue University. These efforts and extensive United
Way, Habitat for Humanity and other community
programs are driven by an employee-based group.
• A comprehensive job shadowing program. Karen
Bozarth, training and development specialist: “People
working on qualifications get some experience (in
other areas) and learn whether or not that’s where
they want to go.” Julian, who has a machinist who
regularly helps out in IT, terms it a win-win and
“making sure there is not a wall” between management
and staff.
• A variety of recognition and incentive programs,
including employees honoring fellow team members.
Wiley: “Everybody has a lot of fun here. While it’s a
‘work hard’ atmosphere, there’s a lot of fun in what
we do as well.” Adds Randy Ours, senior manager of
strategic sourcing, “It’s such an intense industry, it’s important to know how to have fun doing it.”
Wiley and others speak proudly of being one of seven operations to receive a 2011 award
from the Association of Manufacturing Excellence. Team members marvel at the transformation
from a local spinal company started in the late 1980s through several mergers and purchases to
Medtronic obtaining the spinal division in 1999 and moving into the current facility a year later.
Anita Snipes, a nearly 20-year veteran who has taken Ivy Tech Community College classes
and moved into different areas of responsibility, says, “We have a very clean environment, a
good management team and we know we’re helping somebody. The company is good to us. A
lot of places don’t have all that.”
Weikart, commenting on the change over the years, notes that “it’s always good to evolve. It
makes things better for everyone. For me, I enjoy it.”
RegistRation:
(800) 824-6885 or www.indianachamber.com
sponsoRship:
Jim wagner at Jwagner@indianachamber.com
Join indiana Business
LeadeRs in Washington
• Roundtable discussion with Indiana
delegation
• Issue briefings and election insights
• Office visits with lawmakers and
key staff
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2012 d.C. FLY-in
september 19-20, 2012
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3/27/2012 1:26:31 PM
Paul Elliott (right), senior
director of quality, is among
many at Medtronic who also
have experience at other
Warsaw orthopedic companies.