Union City's Mizuho OSI​ Receives Innovation Award

UNION CITY, CA — A Union City company that makes orthopedic surgical tables, Mizuho OSI, has received an Advanced Manufacturing award from the East Bay Economic Development Alliance.

The 8th Annual East Bay Innovation Awards were held virtually on October 15. The awards honor companies and organizations that contribute to the East Bay’s legacy of innovation.

Since implementing lean manufacturing practices four years ago, Mizuho OSI has seen tremendous results. The company’s revenues have increased by 40 percent while the size of its labor force has remained flat. At the same time, manufacturing has decreased from more than three weeks to just nine hours and orders are typically shipped in an industry “best in class” metric of five days from receipt of order.

“We are honored to receive this prestigious recognition. I’m so proud of the Mizuho OSI operations team. They have embraced change and implemented innovative lean manufacturing concepts in our manufacturing facilities in Union City, CA. What they have accomplished in four short years is remarkable.” said Kevin Thorne, VP of Operations for Mizuho OSI.”

The company was founded in 1978. It has pushed the boundaries of a better surgical experience by collaborating with surgeons and healthcare providers to understand today’s surgical needs, uncover problems and inefficiencies in the operating room and develop products that simplify procedures, improve precision, reduce risk and improve outcomes.

More than 200 East Bay companies and organizations were nominated for this year's awards.

Here is a complete list of this year's award winners:

• Legacy: Port of Oakland, Oakland
• Advanced Manufacturing: Mizuho OSI, Union City
• Arts & Culture: Berkeley Repertory, Berkeley
• Built Environment: UrbanBloc, Inc., San Leandro
• Community Impact: Oakland Genomics Center, Oakland
• Education: Idea Builder Labs, Oakland and Alameda
• Engineering & Design: Bolt Threads, Emeryville
• Food: Tsar Nicoulai Caviar, Concord
• Life Sciences: EnChroma, Berkeley
• Sustainability: Profera, San Leandro and Hayward
• Technology: Medinas Health, Berkeley