What began with two Rhode Island School of Design graduates and a dream has evolved into...[Providence-based Item Group] with nearly 100 employees and one of the most diverse work forces in the state.

The company now consists of two subsidiaries: Item New Product Development and Ximedica, a firm established in January long after Item had acquired a reputation for its design work in the medical devices market.

With business booming in Ximedica, Lane expects to hire 12 more people this year [to the 50 current employees] to boost its manufacturing capability. Those new hires will range from skilled assembly workers to managers with manufacturing experience.

Item’s emphasis on enhancing workers’ skills was underscored with its recent award of a $25,000 matching grant from the Governor’s Workforce Board–R.I. The company plans to spend the funds on leadership development and skills training for a cross section of its work force, according to a spokeswoman.

Item also plans to move all operations from the Jewelry district into a new 80,000 sq. ft. space in Providence's West Side later this year.