Orchid Continues to Evolve with Additive Manufacturing of Large Joint Implants
We continued to build out our capability for scalable and cost-effective 3D printing of acetabular cups, tibia trays, femoral components and hip stems to simplify the supply chain. As part of this process, we have advanced the development of 3D printed porous structures and began building orthopedic components in our new center-of-excellence at our forming location in Michigan.
Additive Manufacturing Overview
New Leadership Team Member
Scott Shankle joined Orchid in July as Chief Quality, Regulatory and EH&S Officer. Before Orchid, he served as the Vice President of Operations at Microport (MPO). He earned his BS and MS in Engineering Technology from the University of Memphis and completed the Executive Education Program from Vanderbilt University.
Our Leadership Team
Impact Academy
Impact Academy is an interactive and educational employee event with the purpose to connect employees to the IMPACT that they have on orthopedic patients, customers and the market. It started in October 2021 with the goal to present to employees at every Orchid location globally. In March 2023, they successfully completed their first tour.
Round 2 of Impact Academy has taken off and each site is incorporating feedback from employees.
Impact Academy World Tour
Women in Manufacturing
In early 2023, Orchid launched its first Employee Resource Group (ERG): Women in Manufacturing (WiM)! This group came to life because of the passion Kristie West, Lourdes De Cardenas and Angie Rohrer have for diversity and inclusion. WiM is a voluntary, employee-led group aiming to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace. The WiM ERG, which is also a National Organization, was chosen by Orchid because, as a manufacturing organization, it’s important to develop an inclusive work environment where employees can learn, grow, develop and attract more great talent to Orchid.
Stay tuned for more information about all the activities our WiM have planned.
Orchid Employee Wins ASTM Award
Dr. Parimal Bapat, Ph.D., Principal Engineer – Product Innovation, recently received the Robert E. Fairer Award from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International. He has been with Orchid for 12 years and has been involved with the ASTM for the past 10 years. The award relates to Parimal's work on the F04.15.08 subcommittee for coating test method and recognizes his longstanding work with ASTM and his leadership in developing standards.
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Commercial Excellence & Leadership Award Winners Announced
Our annual awards ceremony was held in February to celebrate our employees and sites for their outstanding performance in 2022. The organization held a Leadership Award ceremony, while the operations and commercial teams recognized excellence within each function.
We are grateful to work on a team with so many dedicated and hardworking people. Congratulations to both the winners and nominees and thank you for all you do for Orchid!
Our Commercial Excellence Award Winners
Learning Culture at OMTEC
Ted Bloomfield, VP – Machining Operations, presented at the Orthopaedic Manufacturing & Technology Exposition and Conference (OMTEC) in June.
He held a 15-minute in-booth presentation to share how our largest facility (Bridgeport, MI) overcame challenges by building resilient learning and training programs for employees. Because the industry is experiencing high turnover, low unemployment, manufacturing careers deprioritized and wages increasing nationwide, manufacturing talent is in demand.
Build a Learning Culture
Sheffield Celebrates 50 Years
Our facility in Sheffield, UK, celebrated its 50-year anniversary in November. Celebrations included commemorative workwear, competitions for family members, a hog roast and a fantastic celebration cake. This facility primarily serves the large joint (knee and hip) markets through casting, forging, machining and finishing capabilities and manufactures both implants and instruments.
Community Engagement:
- Our Holt facility volunteered to help at the Area 8 Special Olympics Track Meet which helps provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
- Our Detroit site held a back-to-school fundraiser and donated backpacks to Farmington & Farmington Hills Foundation for Youth & Families.
- Chelsea employees raised $1,240 to support the Alzheimer’s Association.
- Chelsea and Detroit both hosted walks for breast cancer awareness in October raising more than $1800 total.
- Our Bridgeport, MI facility collected more than 1,100 food items and raised $1,300 to donate to a local veteran charity called I Support the 1% Veteran Food Pantry. They also raised money for Multiple Sclerosis.
- Our Oregon team collected 102 items, $603 in cash donations, and $75 in gift cards for a local non-profit organization, Clackamas Women’s Services.
- Sheffield, UK site collected £2,615 in donations for The Children’s Hospital Charity.
We want to thank all Orchid employees for their hard work this past year and for continuing to go above and beyond to help make Orchid a world leader in the orthopedic industry. We are excited to see what we will accomplish in 2024!
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