Exactech to Open Manufacturing Plant in Florida

Exactech, an orthopedic device company, has opened a new manufacturing facility this month in Manatee, FL.

The 16,000-square-foot facility on 16th Street East will manufacture surgical instruments used to implant the company’s joint replacement devices.

Exactech, based in Gainesville, FL, expects to hire 12 employees during the start-up phase.

It is recruiting in locally for skilled machinists and operators, quality technicians and manufacturing engineers, a news release stated.

The company previously outsourced its instruments, but recently decided to produce its own and selected Manatee as its plant site because of its business-friendly approach and proximity to employee pools, John Pelc, vice president of operations, said in a statement.

Manatee County Economic Development assisted Exactech in establishing the new facility and streamlining the building permit process, the release said.

The company develops and markets orthopedic implant devices, related surgical instruments and materials and services for domestic and international markets.

In the first nine months of this year, Exactech’s revenue was $121.4 million, up 33% over the same 2007 period, the release said.