Coined the Orthopedic Capital of the World®, Kosciusko County in Northeast Indiana represents 50% of the global orthopedic market for total joint replacements. The cutting-edge medical device industry makes up more than 22,000 jobs in Northeast Indiana, 125% above the national average, and produces $19 billion in revenue. Innovation runs deep in Northeast Indiana, with two of the nation’s largest orthopedic suppliers founded in Warsaw—DePuy Synthes, the first orthopedic manufacturing business in the world and orthopedic arm of Johnson & Johnson, and Zimmer Biomet, a global leader in musculoskeletal healthcare headquartered in Warsaw with locations in more than 25 countries. Collectively, they employ more than 5,500 in the region. The state of Indiana boasts one of the highest concentrations of life science companies in the U.S. which are fueled by an educated talent pool from biomedical engineering and orthopedic regulatory affairs programs at 10 regional colleges and universities. From Paragon Medical to Micropulse and Medtronic Spinal & Biologics, the region is constantly innovating and evolving to create the latest life-changing technologies to improve patient outcomes.
Our industry leaders include Zimmer Biomet, DePuy Synthes, Fort Wayne Metals, Medtronic and more.
“We liked the strategic location of Columbia City in Northeast Indiana because we have both north and south connectors. We also had connections and relationships with local industry. That mix of industrial, agricultural and medical fit really well with our core competencies.” – Jeff Blakley, operations director at Sterigenics.
Click here to download a PDF to learn more about doing business in the Orthopedic Capital of the World®.
| Company | Product |
| Zimmer Biomet | Orthopedic Supplies |
| DePuy Synthes | Orthopedic Supplies |
| Fort Wayne Metals | Wire |
| C&A Tool Engineering | Tool and Die |
| Paragon Medical | Surgical Cases and Instruments |
| Tecomet | Orthopedic Supplies |
| Medtronic | Orthopedic Supplies |
| L.H. Industries | Tool and Die |
| Micropulse | Medical Devices for Cardiovascular and Orthopedic |
| Pyromation | Temperature Sensors |
Source: Development Counsellors International (DCI), 2021
| Occupation | 2020 NEI Employment | 2020 NEI Median Annual Wages | 2020 National Median Annual Wages | NEI/US |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock and Material Movers | 9,793 | $28,633 | $29,495 | 97.1% |
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | 5,000 | $43,428 | $39,030 | 111.3% |
| Machinists | 4,098 | $43,765 | $44,348 | 98.7% |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers and Weighers | 3,215 | $39,531 | $39,198 | 100.8% |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders | 2,315 | $36,963 | $32,136 | 115.0% |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers and Brazers | 3,319 | $37,708 | $42,335 | 89.1% |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders | 2,561 | $33,677 | $35,589 | 94.6% |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators | 1,520 | $39,973 | $41,203 | 97.0% |
| Industrial Engineers | 2,111 | $76,222 | $88,011 | 86.6% |
| Mechanical Engineers | 1,064 | $74,730 | $88,416 | 84.5% |
Source: Emsi 2021
There are logistical advantages and cost savings when joining Northeast Indiana’s medical device industry. In the Fort Wayne area, we have innovative firms that make up the medical device value chain. Our medical device value chain has a place for new business—your business. What is Northeast Indiana’s medical device industry capable of? Here is the full list:
Northeast Indiana supplies the following markets:
As a region we are relentlessly reliable, standing on our conviction that through hard work and determination we can achieve virtually anything. It’s this mentality that has seen some of the nation’s greatest medical-technology advancements come to life here.
Our region recognizes innovation as a key driver of success in the medical device industry and embraces medical entrepreneurship. Read some of our region’s success stories below:
Northeast Indiana not only supports businesses in our reliable and steady medical device industry, but we also focus on developing a pipeline of talent for employers. We know that as the workforce gains confidence and ability, it translates to energy and momentum that builds within the region and the industry.
OrthoWorx’s Education & Workforce Development Initiative enhances the local educational offerings to meet the academic needs of students and employers and to make the community more attractive for the recruitment and retention of employees.
Beyond OrthoWorx, our higher-education institutions fill the talent pipeline for this industry.
Just take a look at our training and higher-education institutions:
Content on this website was republished with permission from Orthoworld.
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