Don Beery, Director 

In August, the West Michigan Medical Device Consortium gained a new director. Don Beery comes to the Consortium with over 20 years of private sector experience focused on business development and product commercialization, including 12 years with a Fortune 100 company. Don is also co-inventor of one technology patent and three additional patents pending. He holds an engineering degree from Michigan Technological University and an MBA from Western Michigan University. Beery recently answered questions from the consortium’s corporate office, hosted by WMSTI at Grand Valley State University.

What are the biggest challenges facing medical device companies trying to take root or grow in West Michigan?

First, the perception remains – mainly outside Michigan – that we are merely a state of “rustbelt,” low-tech automotive companies. Although not accurate, perception can be reality. Happily many organizations are working hard regionally and statewide to modify this perception. 

Second, we are not yet known nationally as a top-tier medical device hub on the scale of the “majors”-- Minneapolis, San Francisco, Boston, and others. This too, I believe, is beginning to change. Fortunately, neither hurdle is insurmountable.
 

Does West Michigan have what it takes to grow a medical device sector that can compete with a Minneapolis?  

We are well stocked with talented technical companies that are also strong businesses. They are up to the task, they are seasoned, and we’re pleased to have 30 of them as members of WMMDC. Fundamentally, our heritage in West Michigan is designing, building and delivering quality products that are durable and produced to high tolerances. These skills are readily transferable – and needed – for medical devices.
 

As we look at options for West Michigan, why increase the investment in this tech sector?

For one, we already have a “pin” on the healthcare map in research, education, and healthcare services thanks to the efforts of many. If we can surround this framework with an even stronger medical device industry, I think there are untold synergies and multipliers that would emerge for our West Michigan “medical mecca.”

Further, medical device technologies generate good employment. For example, according to a 2010 report from by The Lewin Group Inc., medical device jobs in Michigan paid 22 percent more than average wages. This same report showed that Michigan has the third highest jobs multiplier in the nation for the medical technology industry. For every direct med-tech industry job created in Michigan there are 3.51 indirect jobs created.

Thirdly, the local med device sector is already demonstrating its ability to grow under difficult economic conditions; so why wait to invest in a sector with strong ROI? One of our members, Keystone Solutions Group, is up by several metrics—new hires, new customers, plant expansion, and record revenues for two years straight, with 2011 revenue up 40 percent from 2010. Their growth has been in consulting, new product development, and manufacturing in areas such as wound care and radio opaque products. Other members such as Medbio Inc. report positive growth as well.
 

How does West Michigan nurture this sector, and how does the Consortium play a role?

The Consortium’s recommendations to community and business leaders and our own plan of action are still developing as I meet with members to consolidate the best thinking of our entrepreneurs on the “front line” of growth. However, it’s safe to say our plans include a focus on growing existing medical device companies, expanding peer-to-peer networking, attracting new firms, and increased collaboration of: 

a. Smart people and companies
b. Investment capital
c. And a strong medical anchor organization(s) in health care, research or business.

A small task force of our members has already joined me to explore critical needs and support best practices toward these ends. You’ll be hearing more from us. All in all, I look forward to working with all our regional and state partners in growing our West Michigan medical device industry.