Zimmer Biomet Bringing In Workers From Puerto Rico
January 25, 2018 at 6:35 p.m.
Officials say about 54 workers and their families from Puerto Rico who were displaced by Hurricane Maria are moving to Whitley and Kosciusko counties with the help of Zimmer Biomet.
The Warsaw-based orthopedic manufacturer, which has operations in Puerto Rico, is offering assistance to the workers if they want to move to Kosciusko and Whitley counties due to the extent of hurricane damage, according to a report by WPTA-TV in Fort Wayne that was picked up by Associated Press.
Columbia City Mayor Ryan Daniel said about 45 workers and their families were expected to settle in Columbia City because housing was readily available and the community is a short drive from Warsaw.
Plans are being developed to provide resources and assistance to those moving in, according to a report by WPTA.
The station says some families have already arrived, but most are expected to move in over the next few weeks.
Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said he heard about Zimmer Biomet’s efforts to resettle Puerto Rican families into the area during talks with a representative from Columbia City last week.
He said he talked with a representative of Zimmer Biomet who told him the issue has more to do with the need for workers than with problems related to their manufacturing facility and damage from Hurricane Maria.
Thallemer said he was told a “one-time deal” was offered to 54 workers.
Zimmer Biomet has a manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico and operations have been slow to recover from damage from the hurricane that hit the island a few months ago.
At the same time, the company – along with many others – have struggled to find quality workers.
“Everybody’s got workforce issues and I think they’re trying to resettle good workers and their families and give them opportunities locally,” Thallemer said.
Thallemer said he was told Zimmer Biomet is relying on a relocation service to assist the families in finding homes.
He questioned whether the decision to choose Columbia City over Warsaw is a matter of housing availability. He speculated that the families would initially be renting.
“I think there is renting availability here and there,” he said.
He said he’s aware that some families have settled in Columbia City, but doesn’t think all of them will end up in the Whitley County community.
“I don’t know if anyone’s calling the shots on where they go,” Thallemer said.
A representative of Zimmer Biomet did not respond immediately to a request for details this morning.
Officials say about 54 workers and their families from Puerto Rico who were displaced by Hurricane Maria are moving to Whitley and Kosciusko counties with the help of Zimmer Biomet.
The Warsaw-based orthopedic manufacturer, which has operations in Puerto Rico, is offering assistance to the workers if they want to move to Kosciusko and Whitley counties due to the extent of hurricane damage, according to a report by WPTA-TV in Fort Wayne that was picked up by Associated Press.
Columbia City Mayor Ryan Daniel said about 45 workers and their families were expected to settle in Columbia City because housing was readily available and the community is a short drive from Warsaw.
Plans are being developed to provide resources and assistance to those moving in, according to a report by WPTA.
The station says some families have already arrived, but most are expected to move in over the next few weeks.
Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said he heard about Zimmer Biomet’s efforts to resettle Puerto Rican families into the area during talks with a representative from Columbia City last week.
He said he talked with a representative of Zimmer Biomet who told him the issue has more to do with the need for workers than with problems related to their manufacturing facility and damage from Hurricane Maria.
Thallemer said he was told a “one-time deal” was offered to 54 workers.
Zimmer Biomet has a manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico and operations have been slow to recover from damage from the hurricane that hit the island a few months ago.
At the same time, the company – along with many others – have struggled to find quality workers.
“Everybody’s got workforce issues and I think they’re trying to resettle good workers and their families and give them opportunities locally,” Thallemer said.
Thallemer said he was told Zimmer Biomet is relying on a relocation service to assist the families in finding homes.
He questioned whether the decision to choose Columbia City over Warsaw is a matter of housing availability. He speculated that the families would initially be renting.
“I think there is renting availability here and there,” he said.
He said he’s aware that some families have settled in Columbia City, but doesn’t think all of them will end up in the Whitley County community.
“I don’t know if anyone’s calling the shots on where they go,” Thallemer said.
A representative of Zimmer Biomet did not respond immediately to a request for details this morning.