The Arvada manufacturing facility of LivaNova — a global medical device producer -unveiled a state-of-the-art $10.5 million sterilization facility on Dec. 15 that will allow the company to sterilize heart surgery components in-house. A formal ribbon-cutting was held with Arvada Mayor Marc Williams and LivaNova staff in attendance.

At the Arvada plant, LivaNova produces tubing packs that take over the oxygenation of blood during open heart surgery, according to Arvada Site Leader and Senior Director of Operations Terry Mills.

Mills added that the manufacturer used to send its products to be sterilized at Terumo BCT in Lakewood, but now can ensure their products readiness for surgery in-house.

“By being vertically integrated, we can reduce travel time back and for the between an external sterilizer. There are many benefits; we can scale up to build more products, we'll be really responsible for the ability to grow the products we sterilize, we'll also be able to sterilize for other LivaNova companies,” Mills said.

“Our PTS custom packs go with that so that a perfusionist can basically keep the body alive while the surgeon is doing the needed cardiovascular procedure,” Mills continued.

Mills praised the company's continued commitment to Arvada — which has seen the manufacturer operate in some fashion under different owners for a half-century.

“An investment like this in Arvada — this company has been around here for 50 years — to me this helps reassure that the company is committed to the community. We employ over 200 associates. We have one of the largest manufactures in the area of Arvada,” Mills said.

Williams stressed the importance of Arvada's manufacturing industry, which he said is sometimes overlooked.

“People really view Arvada as a bedroom community, yet we've got these hidden jewels of the business community. LivaNova employs 200 individuals and they're doing lifesaving work with the medical materials that they're making and shipping out,” Williams said.