CarboMedics Inc. Moves to Austin Texas

Abstract

In 1979, the Medical Products Division’s lease in Sorrento Valley California soon would expire. For a number of reasons, the Division sought worldwide for an alternative location that would be most efficient. The final choice was Austin, Texas. Bob Akins, head of operations, was chosen from the best at General Atomic. Akins located a 20 acre site in Austin adequate for a 50,000 square foot front building, leaving space for three more similarly sized buildings in the future. By the summer of 1981, the first building was finished. At the same time, a temporary existing building without air conditioning on Beatrice Cove housed the pilot production facility. When CarboMedics facility was operational, GR Chambers came for inspection. A complete one it was. Although GR had a number of penetrating questions, he complimented Akins with “good job!” After GR had been comfortably seated, we talked about the cost of the move. The estimated budget was $250,000. Soberly, I told GR “it turned out to be ten times that.” Looking up, his sober look changed to a smile as he knew the revenues, mostly from St. Jude Medical, were rolling in. He said “why don’t you lose that budget—don’t tell the accountants.” A short time after start-up, a parts inspector using precision optical equipment saw a blemish and could not determine whether or not it was a microcrack. Shipments to St. Jude were quarantined until an appropriate proof test solved the problem.