What does it take to be named Manufacturer of the Year (Large Category) by the Manufacturers Association of Florida? Look no further than Exactech, one of the most successful manufacturing companies headquartered in North Central Florida.
On April 19th, the Manufacturers Association of Florida presented the prestigious award to Exactech for their outstanding talent and demonstrated excellence. With nearly 21,000 registered manufacturers in Florida (one of the top manufacturing states in the nation), Exactech is truly in a class by itself.
Recognized for Talent and Excellence
After a thorough examination by a panel of judges, Exactech was named the winner and recognized for their talent and excellence. “Exceptional talent across the board was evident during the rigorous judging process. Talent is a key competitive differentiator in the manufacturing industry and Exactech has an abundance of it,” said Al Stimac, who serves as President of the Manufacturers Association of Florida and was a member of the panel of judges.
“Exactech has proven their place in the industry through their leadership, company culture, customer service, and strategic planning. Both inside their walls and out, they make MAF proud to recognize their achievements and we are grateful they have elected to call Florida their home,” said Amanda Bowen, Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of Florida.
The Manufacturers Association of Florida is a statewide organization dedicated to improving Florida’s manufacturing business climate. It promotes public policy facilitating economic growth and job creation and is comprised of manufacturers and those who serve them.
“It is an honor for Exactech employees to receive this well-earned recognition. A commitment to the surgeons and patients we serve is evident throughout our entire manufacturing operation. The way they embrace new opportunities, processes and technologies is what makes Exactech’s culture so unique and makes manufacturing the heart of our organization,” said Exactech CEO David Petty. “It’s an exciting time of growth for us and I’m especially proud for our employees to be recognized at a time when manufacturing is playing an ever-increasing role in defining our future.”
Six Criteria
A leading medical device manufacturer selling innovative implants for joint replacement around the nation and exporting products around the world, Exactech won the prestigious award in 2017 after a comprehensive review evaluating the following six criteria: 1) Leadership; 2) Strategic Planning; 3) Customer & Market Focus; 4) Measurement, Analysis, and Knowledge Management; 5) Workforce Focus; and 6) Operations Focus.
Focused on Surgeons and Driven to Serve Patients
Exactech has a values-driven, customer-centric culture and has lived up to its trademarked motto, which is Surgeon Focused. Patient Driven.™ Founded over 30 years ago by an orthopaedic surgeon and biomedical engineer, Exactech looks at joint reconstruction through the eyes of a surgeon and drives to improve patient outcomes. The company exists to improve the quality of life for individuals by maintaining their activity and independence.
With an array of bone and joint restoration products and multiple advanced surgical technologies, Exactech is a trend setter in a highly competitive international industry. With more than 700 employees globally, it stays ahead by engineering innovative solutions for knee, hip, and extremities reconstruction surgery and bringing new technological applications to the operating room.
A major development in 2017 included expanding the software portfolio for ExactechGPS®, a sophisticated computer technology system for guided, personalized joint replacement surgery.
ExactechGPS® TKA PLUS, a new software application, provided surgeons a simple tool to achieve precision and accuracy in their cuts during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The first surgery using this technology was performed successfully at Stanford University Medical Center.
The ExactechGPS® Shoulder Application is the industry’s only computer-assisted surgical technology for shoulder replacement. It supports surgeons from pre-operative planning through real time execution of the procedure.
Looking forward, 2018 is expected to be another great year for Exactech as it continues to convert design team concepts and ideas into reality.
In March, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the company to market the Equinoxe® Stemless Shoulder, a bone conserving prosthesis designed in partnership with doctors in America and France. This latest addition to their extremities product line is another example of their ability to innovate and help patients.
How do you set company values and vision, communicate these to employees, and show leadership commitment?
What is your active involvement in supporting the manufacturing community?
How do you promote an environment for, and demonstrate your commitment to, legal and ethical behavior?
How do you use data and information to determine and address strategic opportunities, challenges and advantages?
How do you listen to the Voice of the Customer (VOC)?
How do you measure, analyze, review, and improve performance through the use of data and information at all levels and in all parts of your organization?
How do you manage workforce capability and capacity to accomplish the work of the organization?
By Kamal I. Latham
Photos by Iron Fire Designs
