Though Enovis has been in Austin for over three decades, don't count them out as one of the underdogs in the city's race to become a top manufacturing destination in Texas. Their medical breakthroughs have been paramount to improving Americans' lives and mobility.
The medical device company, formerly known as DJO Global, has been operating its Surgical Division facilities on Metric Boulevard in North Austin for 31 years. Enovis has advanced the development and manufacturing of reconstructive medical implant devices for several vital joints in the human body: hips, knees, shoulders, elbows, and fingers.
One of the devices that has had a significant impact on patients' lives is the development of the EMPOWR 3D Knee. It's the only one of its kind that can replicate dual-pivot natural knee motion.
The EMPWR 3D Knee is the only one of its kind that can replicate natural knee motion. www.djoglobal.com
Francesca Estey, the Vice President of Marketing, told CultureMap that at Enovis' 30-year anniversary celebration, the company's leadership brought in their first patient who had received a 3D Knee implant. The patient has remained highly active in the 20 years since her operation, thanks to Enovis' technological breakthrough.
“Hearing her story about how she was able to regain her mobility and get back to her life … She was bound to a wheelchair, and now she’s 60-years-old and is living her best life and doing things she wouldn’t have imagined 20 years ago before getting that [implant],” Estey told CultureMap.
But their reach doesn’t stop at implants – the other divisions of Enovis also work with healthcare professionals that focus on preventative measures and rehabilitation for patients. The reconstructive aspect of their devices is to solve issues that couldn’t otherwise be addressed by therapy or other preventative measures.
“The backbone of our company is really continuous improvement,” Estey said. “When you’re a part of a growth company, that’s something that you really need to hone in and focus on.”
What most don't know is that Enovis' joint replacement manufacturing is done completely in-house in Austin, earning them a rare "American-made" status that seems to be less common with shifting labor practices nationwide.
The company started in Red Rock, Texas, before opening their first 55,000-square-foot facility on Metric in 1996, with a majority of space dedicated to manufacturing. As the company grew throughout the years, Enovis expanded into a new 60,000-square-foot building across the street. That building accommodated the growth of corporate functions like sales, finance, marketing, and product development engineering departments.
Shayne Myhand, Enovis’ Vice President of Manufacturing Operations, shared with CultureMap that the company opened another new 40,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in September 2022, and are still rapidly expanding their operations.
“Last year we grew in the mid-teens and we have a similar target again this year for our surgical business [organically],” he added.
Shayne Myhand (left) and Enovis Surgical President Louis Vogt (right) at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new manufacturing facility in 2022.Photo courtesy of Enovis
Even with the company’s rapid growth and life-changing innovation, labor availability has been a challenge. The recent relocations of big companies like Samsung and Tesla have provided unique challenges for employee retention.
But Myhand praises his company’s workplace culture, citing that diversity and inclusion has always been a strong point, earning Enovis a spot on Newsweek’s list of Best Workplaces for Diversity in 2023.
“We work really hard from an engagement standpoint and our culture, and how to make [Enovis] a great place to work,” Myhand said. “It’s really an opportunity [for Austinites] to come work for a company with a great culture that literally improves the lives of patients that we serve.”
Machinists, warehouse workers, quality control inspectors, and manufacturing supervisors are just a few of the available positions for locals looking for their next job opportunity.
More information about Enovis, its Austin manufacturing facilities, and career opportunities can be found at enovis.com.
