Ortho Startup Blue M Medical Puts Down Roots in Indiana

New medical device manufacturer Blue M Medical LLC is opening its operations in Columbia City, Ind., creating up to 25 new jobs by 2016. The company makes custom medical devices and stainless steel instrumentation used in a spectrum of surgical specialties, including orthopedic, spine, and trauma procedures.

Blue M plans to renovate a former medical office building to house the company’s administrative, design and engineering, quality, and marketing and sales.

“With our location near a world-leading concentration of medical device manufacturing and with supply chain partners from around the world, Blue M Medical is well positioned to become a leading producer of custom surgical instruments,” said Blue M Medical principal William Smith. “In Columbia City and Whitley County we have found local leadership and an economic development program that will support our efforts as we continue to grow our capabilities in the years ahead.”

Blue M joins Micropulse Inc., Red Star Contract Manufacturing Inc., and Sound Ideas as Whitley County-based companies involved in the medical device sector announcing job creation and investment plans during 2013.

“On behalf of Columbia City, we are thankful that Blue M Medical is locating the company’s operations in our community and we appreciate the work of all the economic development partners that went into this project,” said Columbia City Mayor Ryan Daniel, “We look forward to building on the collaboration that went into this project to support the expansion of existing employers and to encourage other companies involved in the medical device sector to locate in Columbia City.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Blue M up to $250,000 in in conditional tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim the incentives. Whitley County approved CEDIT (County Economic Development Income Tax)-based grant and loan incentives, and Columbia City approved vacant building tax abatement, all at the request of the Whitley County Economic Development Corporation (EDC).

“Indiana innovation shines through our medical device industry, which has found its ideal home here in the Hoosier State,” said Eric Doden, president of the Indiana EDC. “Through the work of companies like Blue M Medical, breakthroughs in medical devices are giving hope and a renewed lease on life to people around the world. With Indiana’s low tax business environment and highly skilled workforce, I’m proud to call Indiana a state that works for medical device manufacturers.”