Governor Calls Zimmer Innovation 'Genius'

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer-

Governor Mitch Daniels spoke at Zimmer Inc., 1800 W. Center St., today congratulating the company on its announced research and development expansion at its location inside of Boggs Industrial Park.

Last year, Zimmer announced an expansion of existing office, manufacturing and distribution capacity in Warsaw. The announced R&D addition will provide 275 new jobs within the company over the next 10 years, with a majority of these in the scientific and engineering fields.

Construction of the new 200,000-square-foot facility is expected to begin this month with an estimated completion date of late 2006.

"I'm delighted with what has taken place here," Daniels said during his speech. "Government does not create wealth and innovation. At the very best, we create conditions to best accommodate companies, and I'm glad to see Zimmer's continual success.

"There has been genius in this company from the beginning, and I'm positive the genius will continue into this new expansion."

Over the last few months, Daniels and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Zimmer $50,000 in training grants through the Technology Enhancement Certification for Hoosiers fund, $5 million over 10 years in Economic Development for a Growing Economy tax credits and $535,000 in tax credits from the Hoosier Business Investment tax credit program to provide incentive to keep the expansion within the state.

"A negotiation team from the IEDC has worked with Zimmer to help give them the best possible offer," Weston Sedgwick, media relations and public affairs officer for IEDC, said. "The company had many options for their expansion location, and we're delighted they stayed in Indiana. It's a great contribution to the state."

Zimmer plans to spend $64 million in expansion efforts over the next two years. In addition to state incentives, the Warsaw City Council approved a 10-year tax abatement Thursday night on both real and personal property.

Brad Bishop, Zimmer public relations officer, said the Oct. 2, 2003, acquisition of Centerpulse helped spark the recently announced expansion. Once construction is completed, the company will focus efforts on researching and developing minimally evasive surgeries and hydrogel and woven technologies in the orthopedic field.

"With this expansion, Zimmer will expand its staff and brain power inside of the Warsaw facility," Dr. Cheryl Blanchard, vice president of Zimmer research and clinical affairs, said. "We'll be reaching out across the country to bring the best into Indiana."

Though Daniels congratulated and thanked Zimmer for their efforts during his speech, he said his Economic Development Plan for the state is far from complete.

"With all the excitement and passion we feel today, we have a long road ahead of us in Indiana," Daniels said. "Let's use this as an example of what we strive for to better our state's economy." [[In-content Ad]]

Governor Mitch Daniels spoke at Zimmer Inc., 1800 W. Center St., today congratulating the company on its announced research and development expansion at its location inside of Boggs Industrial Park.

Last year, Zimmer announced an expansion of existing office, manufacturing and distribution capacity in Warsaw. The announced R&D addition will provide 275 new jobs within the company over the next 10 years, with a majority of these in the scientific and engineering fields.

Construction of the new 200,000-square-foot facility is expected to begin this month with an estimated completion date of late 2006.

"I'm delighted with what has taken place here," Daniels said during his speech. "Government does not create wealth and innovation. At the very best, we create conditions to best accommodate companies, and I'm glad to see Zimmer's continual success.

"There has been genius in this company from the beginning, and I'm positive the genius will continue into this new expansion."

Over the last few months, Daniels and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Zimmer $50,000 in training grants through the Technology Enhancement Certification for Hoosiers fund, $5 million over 10 years in Economic Development for a Growing Economy tax credits and $535,000 in tax credits from the Hoosier Business Investment tax credit program to provide incentive to keep the expansion within the state.

"A negotiation team from the IEDC has worked with Zimmer to help give them the best possible offer," Weston Sedgwick, media relations and public affairs officer for IEDC, said. "The company had many options for their expansion location, and we're delighted they stayed in Indiana. It's a great contribution to the state."

Zimmer plans to spend $64 million in expansion efforts over the next two years. In addition to state incentives, the Warsaw City Council approved a 10-year tax abatement Thursday night on both real and personal property.

Brad Bishop, Zimmer public relations officer, said the Oct. 2, 2003, acquisition of Centerpulse helped spark the recently announced expansion. Once construction is completed, the company will focus efforts on researching and developing minimally evasive surgeries and hydrogel and woven technologies in the orthopedic field.

"With this expansion, Zimmer will expand its staff and brain power inside of the Warsaw facility," Dr. Cheryl Blanchard, vice president of Zimmer research and clinical affairs, said. "We'll be reaching out across the country to bring the best into Indiana."

Though Daniels congratulated and thanked Zimmer for their efforts during his speech, he said his Economic Development Plan for the state is far from complete.

"With all the excitement and passion we feel today, we have a long road ahead of us in Indiana," Daniels said. "Let's use this as an example of what we strive for to better our state's economy." [[In-content Ad]]

Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


American Legion Post 49 To Serve Ribeye Steak Saturday
Ribeye steak or strip with baked potatoes and a salad bar will be served at the American Legion Post 49, Warsaw, from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday. There will be karaoke starting at 7 p.m.

WACC Students Sign For Career Programs In Engineering, Cosmetology & Automotive
Dozens of Warsaw Area Career Center (WACC) students had their signing day Wednesday, but it wasn’t for athletics.

WCHS Math Academic Super Bowl Team Finishes Second at State
On Saturday, the Warsaw Community High School (WCHS) Math Academic Super Bowl team competed in the state finals at Purdue University, earning a second-place finish in Class 1 (large school division).

Juanita Louise Hall Wagner
Juanita Louise Hall Wagner, 83, Warsaw, died Monday, May 12, 2025, in her home.

Joel Robert Light
Joel Robert Light, 76, Warsaw, died Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in the care of Peabody Retirement Community in North Manchester.