Arcamed Advances Workforce Excellence Through Upskilling

Arcamed, a medical device contract manufacturer based in Indianapolis, is redefining workforce development by embedding upskilling into the core of its company culture. With support from state-level programs like Indiana’s Next Level Jobs grant, Arcamed is equipping employees from high school students to seasoned professionals with the skills needed to thrive in a fast-paced, highly customized manufacturing environment.

Founded 14 years ago, Arcamed specializes in producing custom surgical tool cases. While the company’s products are tailored to the unique needs of medical systems, its approach to employee development is equally personalized.

Upskilling at Arcamed began long before formal programs were introduced. “Upskilling has really been baked into our DNA,” said Squatrito. “It has always been driven from ownership down, and our CEO Jon Desalvo has played a big role in setting the example that this needs to be a consistent focus.” The company’s philosophy centers on hiring for culture fit and training for skill, allowing it to build a flexible, multi-skilled workforce capable of adapting to shifting demands.

Employees are encouraged to take initiative in their development, often requesting training directly from supervisors or HR. Arcamed evaluates each request based on business needs and typically finds a way to support it, either through internal training or external partnerships. This approach has led to broader opportunities for staff and increased operational agility.

“We believe that having multi-skilled employees is always going to bring value,” Squatrito explained. “It allows us to fully utilize our workforce, especially when workflow varies across departments.”

The benefits of upskilling are clear. Employees gain new competencies, which translate into wage increases based on the value they bring to the company. While the exact amount varies by role and skill, Arcamed’s compensation model rewards contribution over tenure. This has helped retain talent, reduce downtime, and improve overall engagement.

Katie Murphy, a Manufacturing Engineer at Arcamed, shared how the company’s investment in her development transformed her approach to work. “Lean training fundamentally changed how I approach both problem-solving and manufacturing as a whole. It gave me a clear set of principles to anchor decisions that would otherwise be subjective, allowing me to directly improve productivity, efficiency, and utilization. From applying 5S to messy tool cabinets, to using spaghetti diagrams to optimize workflow around new equipment, to leveraging Six Sigma methods to identify and control process variation, these tools have become integral to how I approach my work.”

Arcamed’s inclusive upskilling strategy spans all age groups, including students as young as 15. The company sees value in investing in every employee. Squatrito emphasized that investing in people is always worthwhile. “There is a clear business case, but the cultural case is just as important. It is important to us that our people feel how invested Arcamed is in their development. Whether someone is only with us for a semester, or many years, the entire organization benefits from this approach.”

For other Indiana companies considering similar initiatives, Arcamed’s advice is to start small and explore available resources. State programs have helped offset training costs and made it easier to build internal capabilities. The return on investment, both in terms of business outcomes and employee satisfaction, has been substantial.

Arcamed’s approach demonstrates how upskilling can serve as both a workforce development tool and a business growth strategy. By investing in its people, the company has strengthened its operations, enhanced employee engagement, and built a reputation as a supportive and forward-thinking employer.

To learn more about Arcamed, visit arcamed.com.

Power Up Indiana is a new incentive program rewarding employers to grow wages, build stronger teams, and turn talent development into a long-term business advantage. To learn more about Power Up Indiana, visit powerup.dwd.in.gov.