A new factory in Boyne City’s industrial park ramped up production of surgical tools in recent weeks. Precision Edge Surgical Products operates from a newly constructed, 38,500-square-foot building at 1448 Lexamar Drive, having invested about $6 million in the facility. “We’re here because (Precision Edge’s existing plant in Sault Ste. Marie) became full because of their growth year over year,” said Milt Kniss, operations manager at the new plant. During the past two decades, the market for the types of surgical tools Precision Edge produces has grown by about 6 to 8 percent annually, Kniss noted. For now, production at the Boyne City plant focuses on surgical burs, which are drill-like tools used for cutting and debris-removal purposes during orthopedic surgeries. Precision Edge currently employs 14 people — 10 on an hourly basis and four salaried — at the new plant. “Frankly, we think we’ve got some real talent out here right now,” Kniss said. “People are what make a business.” The company plans to bring additional production to the plant this summer — involving surgical drill pieces — and Kniss expects three to four jobs to be added by that time. The company anticipates more production and employment increases late this year at the Boyne City site. Eventually, Kniss expects the plant’s workforce to number about 200. Full story from Petoskey News-Review * Photo gallery.
