Good things come in three for ISSYS. First the Ypsilanti-based firm hired two people since the last time we checked in with it earlier this year. Second it formed a partnership with a Switzerland-based firm, a move that is expected to (thirdly) create more jobs in Ypsilanti.

As of today ISSYS employs 32 people and has a couple of positions open right now. It expects to hire another 5-6 people by the end of the year. The Swiss firm, Endress + Hauser, might also open an office nearby.

"They have invested in us and they have a minority stake in ISSYS," says Doug Sparks, vice president of ISSYS.

ISSYS spun-off from the University of Michigan in 1995 and uses micro fluids and sensors for research in products like fuel cells. Endress + Hauser is licensing some of the microchip technology to make its own sensors. It discovered ISSYS in 2003 and began putting a deal together in 2007.

Source: Doug Sparks, vice president of ISSYS
Writer: Jon Zemke