Resources

Throughout the summer, interns tackled meaningful projects across multiple departments, helping make Cretex an even more well-oiled machine. Whether they were streamlining processes, assisting with complex technical work, or supporting operational initiatives, their contributions strengthened our teams and set the stage for continued success. Thank you to our fantastic Cretex Companies interns for all your hard work!

Every June, Cretex Companies proudly hosts our annual Cretex Cares-A-Thon, a companywide initiative that encourages employees to support their local communities through volunteer work, donations, and service projects. This year, our teams across Cretex Medical, QTS, rms, CDT, and Cretex Corporate showed up in a big way — coming together to support dozens of nonprofit organizations and community programs.

Cretex Medical | rms recently celebrated the production of its One Millionth Additive Manufactured Part, a major milestone made possible by the dedication of its team and rapid growth in metal 3D printing since 2017. The milestone part highlights rms’s advanced Powder to Package capabilities and commitment to innovation.

Cretex Medical | rms is proud to announce that we were honored with the Minnesota Governor’s Workplace Safety Silver Award at the 2025 Minnesota Safety & Health Conference. This recognition, presented by the Minnesota Safety Council, highlights our continued dedication to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all employees.

At Cretex Medical, giving back is a team effort, and our Brooklyn Park employees took that spirit to the next level this April during our Spring Basket Display Fundraiser. Through creativity, collaboration, and community support, teams assembled themed baskets filled with donated goodies, raffled them off, and raised an impressive $6,950 for charity!

Cretex Medical is proud to celebrate Ryan Kircher, Principal Manufacturing Engineer at Cretex Medical | rms, for receiving the Distinguished INnovator Operators Award (DINO) at the 2025 Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) Conference. The DINO is one of the most prestigious honors in the additive manufacturing (AM) industry, awarded annually to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional expertise, leadership, and contributions to the AM community.

The machining sector in the orthopedic device industry is highly specialized, especially for the production of precise technologies such as orthopedic drills, guidewires, and fixation pins. The demand for high-quality, high-precision parts continues to grow as medical devices become more intricate and patient-specific. With minimally invasive surgical procedures increasing in popularity for an ever-growing range of applications, the ergonomics and design of instruments play a crucial role in enhancing surgical techniques. Well-designed instruments improve precision in the operating room (OR), as well as operating efficiency and enhanced patient outcomes.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month - a time to shine a light on the struggles faced by survivors of domestic violence and to show support through active involvement. At Cretex Medical | rms, we value the importance of contributing to our community and supporting meaningful causes. This month, rms employees volunteered at The Dwelling Place, a local organization offering safe transitional housing and supportive services for women and children escaping domestic abuse.

As more orthopedic device manufacturers exhibit interest in Additive Manufacturing (AM) for even more products, the challenges increase further. Aspects such as scalability come into play, as well as the need to affordably produce an array of technologies with these machines. As a result, companies are seeking experienced suppliers who maintain expertise with AM for orthopedic implants, instruments, and other devices.

Fortunately, Troy Olson, Director of Additive Operations at Cretex Medical | rms, has offered insights on a variety of inquiries surrounding this topic in the following Q&A. He provides clarification on what medical device firms need to keep in mind when working with a supplier on additively manufactured products, the benefits of working with an experienced partner, and some often overlooked factors.