13 Orthopedic Device Company Cuts & Expansions in 2011

Spinal Tech
Laura Dyrda -

Here are 13 orthopedic and spine device company facility and personnel cuts and expansions in 2011.
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Plans released earlier this year reported that Biomet would cut up to 200 jobs, mostly in European operations. The company considered cutting 21 jobs from United States operations and 99 positions were set for review for additional cuts in Great Britain due to reorganization efforts.

New York-based medical device company Greatbatch Medical, invested $17.4 million to build a new orthopedic facility in Indiana. The 80,000-square-foot facility is expected to be completed in 2012 and will include 67 new scientist, engineering and manufacturing positions.

Integra LifeSciences
recently opened an office in Shanghai as part of its ongoing expansion into the medical device market. The new office will initially focus on the neurosurgical business, but it plans to incorporate the spine and orthobiolgoics businesses sometime in the future.

Earlier this year, Integra LifeSciences also opened a new facility in Medina, Ohio, to accommodate its growing spinal implant business. The facility includes a prototype shop and medical device mechanical testing laboratory.

Medtronic opened a research and development center in Beijing with its partner, Shandong Weigao Group. The joint venture was originally established in 2008 with a focus on developing vertebral and joint products in China.

In the first half of the year, Medtronic announced plans to cut 1,500-2,000 jobs as part of a worldwide restructuring effort. The job cuts represent 4-5 percent of the company's workforce and are a result of sluggish market conditions in the company's heart defibrillators and spine device businesses.

NovaBone opened a 3,500-square-foot research and development facility in Gainesville, Fla., to develop bone graft substitutes for orthopedic and dental surgeons.

Stryker launched a Mobile Training Center in China, designed to bring hands-on training, product demonstrations and after-sales services to healthcare professionals throughout the country. It was the first medical device company to provide mobile training services in China.

During restructuring activities aimed at reducing annual pre-tax operating costs, Stryker plans to reduce its global workforce by 5 percent. The cuts will be mostly complete by the end of 2012 and expects to reduce the pre-tax operating costs by more than $100 million.

Pearl, Miss.-based Spinal USA created 25 new jobs this year, bringing its team membership up to 55. The company plans to continue growing in the future.

Earlier this year Wright Medical Group announced a restructuring plan that included reducing its workforce by 6 percent, terminating 80 employees. The layoffs were part of the company's initiatives to reduce spending.

A decision from Zimmer to close its plant in Statesville, N.C., earlier this year meant cutting 124 jobs. The plant is scheduled to close at the end of the first quarter of 2012, but employees began losing their jobs in October.

Organizational changes for Zimmer also led to elimination of several company positions in Austin, Texas, earlier this year. Jobs were also eliminated at the company's Warsaw, Ind., location.

Related Articles on Orthopedic Device Companies:

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