Spartan Profiles: Reinhold Schmieding

MEDICAL PRODUCT INNOVATION

            In 1977, an offer to manage European operations of a top manufacturer of orthopedic devices was too good to pass up, so he headed for Germany instead of medical school.  In 1981, with only $60,000 and a folding table in his kitchen, he started a company that would eventually become Arthrex Inc.  Today, Reinhold Schmieding, ’77, is quite sure he made the right decisions. 

            Arthrex, based in Naples, FL, has emerged as a world leader in designing instruments for arthroscopic and minimally invasive surgery, marketing more than 3,000 products in more than 100 countries.  Arthrex has more than 300 U.S. and foreign patents and more than 700 employees worldwideand last year launched 443 new products that were approved by the FDA.   

            “New product innovation is the heart and soul of Arthrex,” says Schmieding.  “Our goal is to make technically demanding surgical procedures easier, safer and reproducible.” 

             A native of Bloomfield Hills, Reinhold was recruited to MSU as a golfer.  Also, he notes, “MSU offered excellent prospects in natural sciences and a physiology major as a pre-med student.” 

            Reinhold says he greatly enjoyed his MSU experience.  Academically, he recalls taking “very stimulating elective classes in economics and marketing,” which provided him with inspiration for an alternative career path to medicine. 

             “I really enjoyed Greek life at MSU,” he recalls.  “I was social chairman of Delta Chi fraternity, which provided social or organizational skills as a future entrepreneur and manager.” 

            What would his advice be for today’s students?  “Find a special niche you are passionate about and focus on becoming an expert in that niche,” he says.  “Think out of the box on future career opportunities and be willing to sacrifice to get special skills and experience related to your career path.  Follow your passion and be different!  Go Spartans!"