Cardiovascular Systems to build new manufacturing facility in Texas

Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. (CSI) (Nasdaq: CSII), a medical device company developing and commercializing innovative interventional treatment systems for vascular disease, has signed a 10-year lease agreement for a new 46,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Pearland, Texas. The facility is being built for CSI and will support the production of its Diamondback 360^® PAD System, a minimally invasive catheter for treating peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and other products.

“As demand builds for our Diamondback 360°, we need additional manufacturing capacity to accommodate our growth, and multiple facilities to minimize business interruption risk,” said Robert J. Thatcher, CSI executive vice president. “We received numerous proposals for facility locations. The State of Texas and City of Pearland put together the most attractive economic package, allowing us to expand quickly into a second facility. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Texas local and state offices, and launching manufacturing operations there.”

CSI could hire approximately 250 employees over the course of five years to work at the Texas facility and manufacture the Diamondback 360°. The company will also continue its manufacturing operations in Minnesota, where it currently employs more than 100 people, including its headquarters staff, which also has been expanding. In addition, CSI has more than 120 sales professionals across the United States.

“CSI’s expansion in Texas is further proof that Texas remains the best state in the nation for business. Our reasonable and predictable regulatory climate, low taxes, skilled and educated workforce, and programs, such as the Texas Enterprise Fund, all come together to strengthen the state’s economy by attracting jobs and capital investment,” Governor Rick Perry said. “This investment in CSI is expected to bring hundreds of jobs to Texans in the Pearland area and expand our state’s already thriving medical technology sector.”

“Our region is well served with the addition of Cardiovascular Systems’ manufacturing facility in Pearland,” said Jeff Moseley, president and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership, primary business advocate for the 10-county Houston region. “Coupled with the world-famous Texas Medical Center, CSI greatly expands our medical portfolio and strengthens the region’s stature with global companies for innovation, research and cutting-edge technology.”

“Pearland EDC welcomes CSI to our business community,” said Fred Welch, executive director for Pearland Economic Development Corporation. “Our investment in this development agreement is the result of our focus on attracting solid companies with strong growth prospects.”

CSI has reported seven quarters of sequential revenue growth since the company commercially launched the Diamondback 360° in 2007. For the fiscal fourth quarter ended June 30, 2009, revenue rose to $15.7 million, a 59-percent increase over the prior-year period. Additionally, at the end of fiscal 2009, 556 hospitals were using the Diamondback 360°, up significantly from 183 a year earlier. More than 15,000 procedures have been performed using the Diamondback 360°.

CSI received $3.5 million upon the signing of the lease and could receive up to an additional $3.5 million over five years as milestones are met. CSI expects to begin operations in the facility during the first half of calendar 2010. Pearland was selected as the best location for the Diamondback 360° facility after an extensive search process lead by Ecodev, LLC, a site selection firm recognized for successfully uniting companies and communities in partnerships for sustainable economic growth.

Source: Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.