Forbes names Cook Medical among best employers

The global Cook Medical Group, which runs its Asian businesses from a Brisbane base, has been named by Forbes magazine as one of America’s best large employers.

The company, which makes endovascular stent-grafts and IVF equipment such as micro-needles in Brisbane, has been honoured by the magazine for the second year in a row.

Nicky James, Cook’s vice president, human resources and talent development, said the company constantly looked for ways to support its employees and their families.

James said: “By creating programmes like My Cook Pathway that focus on employees’ careers, health, families, and communities we aim to remove barriers that could prevent our employees from achieving their goals.”

Cook’s Brisbane factory has been showcased on a tour for members of the Australian Manufacturing Forum Linkedin Group.

Led in Asia-Pacific by Forum member, Barry Thomas, the Brisbane facility is one of a few world wide that makes bespoke endovascular stent-grafts – employees sew the stents designed for each individual heart patient.

Many employees (pictured) formerly sewed jeans at a nearby factory, but have been given far more satisfying jobs literally sewing to save human life.

The Brisbane company also innovates in Australia for the important Chinese market.

This story has been updated to correct the reference to stent-grafts.

Picture: Cook Medical Brisbane staff

Subscribe to our free @AuManufacturing newsletter here.