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Home | About Minnetronix | History
History
1996-2000
In 1996, Cardinal Engineering, now Minnetronix, was founded by Rich Nazarian, Dirk Smith and Jon Pierce, with the prospect of one major project: the development of software and electronics for an electric motor-driven total artificial heart (ETAH). This project, which was a joint effort with 3M Company and Penn State University, helped lay the groundwork for Minnetronix’ technology and rapid business growth.
Minnetronix quickly grew from a 1,000 sq. ft. facility in 1996 to 10,000 sq. ft. in 1997 and added manufacturing capabilities in the same year. In 1998, the firm received their FDA medical device manufacturer registration and ISO 9001:2000 certification.
As part of Minnetronix’ continued growth, the company moved to a new 20,000 sq. ft. facility in 2000 to allow for more administrative, design and manufacturing space. Proudly, Minnetronix also received the Small Business Award of Excellence from the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce in the same year.
2001-2009
Over the next several years, Minnetronix enjoyed several other milestones including three successful FDA QSIT inspections with no findings or observations (2001, 2004, 2008). Rich Nazarian was named as a finalist of the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and the firm was named as a supplier to a 2007 Medical Design Excellence Winner, the Symbiq™ Infusion System.
The firm obtained ISO 13485:1996 certification in 2003 and also received several other honors over the years, including:
- Great Place to Work from the Twin Cities Business Journal (2004)
- 100 Most Notable People in the Medical Device Industry (Lynn Ihlenfeldt-2004; Rich Nazarian-2008)
- Small Business Award of Excellence from the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce (2006)
- Tekne Award (2002, 2004-finalist, 2006, 2008)
- Small Business Success Story from the Twin Cities Business Journal (2009)
… and several others.
2010
Today, Minnetronix has continued its success with over 135 employees. To date, the firm has led over 140 development and manufacturing projects for nearly 100 different medical device and life science companies ranging in size from small start-ups to large established firms.
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ISO 13485-Certified
