Medtronic job cuts set for 2009

<p>Medtronic Inc. said Tuesday it will trim about 1,100 jobs from its global work force, including 100 cuts in Santa Rosa that were announced last year.</p><p>Medtronic is shifting assembly work to Galway, Ireland, as it changes Santa Rosa into a vascular research and development center, said spokesman Joe McGrath. "This is one of the biggest growth drivers for the company."</p><p>Santa Rosa is headquarters for Medtronic's vascular business, which makes stents, stent grafts and related products for treating artery disease.</p><p>The Minneapolis-based medical device manufacturer has about 1,200 workers in Santa Rosa.</p><p>Last May, Medtronic said it would cut about 100 assembly jobs in Santa Rosa. Those positions will be eliminated in 2009, McGrath said.</p><p>Affected workers will get outplacement assistance and some will be eligible for jobs at other Medtronic locations, the company said.</p><p>Medtronic's Santa Rosa head count is expected to remain steady, because the company is adding scientists, engineers, regulatory specialists and other professional staff.</p><p>Earlier this year, Medtronic received approval from the Food and Drug Administration to market its next-generation drug-coated stent in the United States. The Endeavor stent, which was developed in Santa Rosa, could capture 20 percent of the $2 billion annual U.S. market for such technology, industry analysts have said.</p><p>Most of the cuts announced Tuesday will come from other Medtronic businesses that aren't growing at previous rates, the company said. Its core cardiac rhythm disease management business has suffered because of a recall of its Sprint Fidelis wires in 2007.</p><p>The cuts will happen over the next year as Medtronic consolidates manufacturing, research and development operations, said a spokeswoman.</p><p>Medtronic has about 39,500 employees worldwide, with about 60 percent in the United States.</p><p>The company will release fourth- quarter and year-end results May 20. Medtronic shares closed Tuesday down 3 cents at $49.01.</p><p>The Associated Press contributed to this report.</p>