Report: Coloplast looks to expand in Minnesota

Coloplast (CPH:COLO B) is looking to expand its worker base in Minnesota, according to a new report from the Twin Cities Business Mag.

The company, which acquired the urology business mentor Minnesota in 2006, has its North American headquarters in Minneapolis, Minn. with 310 employees in the area. Coloplast is looking to add an additional 3,000 staff worldwide to its 10,000 employee roster, but did not say how many of those jobs would be located in Minnesota.

“We are looking to significantly enhance our presence here in the U.S. The U.S. is a global growth driver for the overall global business for Coloplast. We will expect to continue to expand in the headquarters,” Coloplast NA chronic care division Ed Veome said in prepared remarks.

Two years ago, Coloplast had to pay the city of Minneapolis $600,000 for not hitting job targets at its campus after the city provided financing assistance through tax increment financing, according to a report.

“There has been quite a lot of growth in the urology business since we acquired Mentor in 2006. We’ve had very nice growth in the U.S.,” urology care global leader Steffen Hovard said in a press release. “The company is anticipating continued steady business growth, and along with that, continued employment opportunities and community investments in Minneapolis.”

Last December, Coloplast and Liberator Medical (NYSE:LBMH) agreed to pay a collective $3.6 million to settle allegations that they ran a kickbacks scheme to fuel sales of the Danish ostomy device maker’s products, federal prosecutors said.

Coloplast agreed to pay $3.16 million and Liberator $500,000 to settle the case, although they admitted no liability in the settlement. Prosecutors accused Coloplast of paying kickbacks to Byram Healthcare Centers, CCS Medical, Liberty Medical, Handi Medical and Liberator in return for marketing promotions and conversion campaigns – including in some cases so-called “spliffs,” or payments to sales personnel in return for referrals to Coloplast products.