Edwards Lifesciences to Expand Mfg, R&D Facilities

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, in anticipation of future growth, will be developing a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Draper, UT, which will enable it to significantly expand its manufacturing and R&D capability.

"Our new facility will allow us to evolve our world class operations to support Edwards' long-term global product supply strategy," says Paul C. Redmond, Edwards' corporate vice president, Global Corporate Operations. "We are very grateful to the Governor's Office of Economic Development in Utah and the Draper City Council for their extraordinary efforts in working with us to ensure our success in creating a stronger and more customer-focused company, poised for even more growth in the future."

Edwards has accepted incentives from the State of Utah totaling approximately $11.5 million based on the current 228 jobs being retained and more than 1,000 projected new jobs in manufacturing, business and engineering expected to be created in the state during the life of the 15-year incentive period. The company also accepted an incentive from the City of Draper for approximately $3 million based on capital investments and employment rates over a seven-year incentive period.

As the first step of its planned expansion, the company will transfer manufacturing of its market-leading cannula and embolic protection devices utilized by cardiac surgeons during open-heart surgery from its existing Midvale, Utah facility to the new facility in Draper in the first half of 2010.

http://www.edwards.com