Greatbatch Medical Opens Orthopedic Manufacturing Center in Midwest

Greatbatch Medical has opened an 80,000-square-foot orthopedic manufacturing facility in Fort Wayne, Ind. Greatbatch has been making a concerted effort to grow its vascular and orthopedics business over the past few years through acquisitions and expansions.

The subsidiary of Greatbatch Inc. established an orthopedic design center in nearby Warsaw, Ind., in 2010, where it provides rapid prototyping capabilities. Last year, Greatbatch Medical dropped $6 million into its Indianapolis, Ind., manufacturing location, which produces orthopedic delivery systems.

Construction on the company’s new facility was announced in January 2011.

“This $17 million investment is the third project Greatbatch Medical has deployed as part of an overall strategy to partner with orthopedic device makers,” said Mauricio Arellano, president of Greatbatch Medical. “We have made strategic investments with a focus on growing our global orthopedics business through a sound commercial strategy, continuous investments in medical device innovations and streamlined operations and best in class execution.”

Greatbatch president and CEO Thomas J. Hook said Greatbatch Medical will continue to focus on new medical device segments.

“Our company’s vision is to be the definitive leader in critical technologies by infusing integrity, innovation and operational excellence,” Hook said. “This investment is a critical part of our growth strategy as we strive to achieve growth in our core business, growth through targeted acquisitions and growth through new, innovative medical devices.”

The facility is named the Susan H. Campbell Orthopaedic Center, in honor of the late senior vice president of Greatbatch Medical Orthopaedics, who died in late 2010.

The center will develop instruments for hip procedures and spine fixation, as well as fracture fixation implants and instrumentation for orthopedic device companies. The new facility should provide Greatbatch Medical with increased capabilities and capacity for future growth, executives predict.

Arellano thanked the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Fort Wayne city officials, Allen County administrators and the Allen County-Fort Wayne Economic Development Alliance in a statement.

“They have been great partners supporting our investment and growth in Indiana,” he said. “With their support we are poised for success that will benefit not only Greatbatch Medical and our associates but the local community as well.”

Greatbatch Inc.’s brands are Greatbatch Medical, Electrochem and the QiG Group. The company focuses on the cardiac, neurology, vascular and orthopedic markets, while Greatbatch medical is responsible for the design and manufacture of critical technologies used in medical devices for the cardiac rhythm management, neuromodulation, vascular access and orthopedic sectors.