Early Life and Education
Reinhold D. Schmieding was born in Michigan in 1955/1956. His parents emigrated from Germany shortly before his birth. He attended Michigan State University, where he studied physiology and was a member of the Delta Chi fraternity.
Rise to Success
Schmieding's career began in the medical device industry after graduating from Michigan State University in 1977. He worked for Med Tech International. In 1981, he founded Arthroscopy Excision Instruments Inc. (later Arthrex) in Germany with an initial investment of $60,000. Arthrex focused on developing and manufacturing instruments for arthroscopic surgery, a then-emerging field. Schmieding relocated Arthrex to Naples, Florida in 1991. Arthrex expanded globally and now distributes its products in over 90 countries.
Key Business Strategies
Key to Arthrex's success has been heavy investment in research and development, producing at least 1,000 new products annually. Schmieding's focus on serving surgeons, rather than financial investors, has also been a cornerstone of his strategy. Schmieding has also been known for his hands-on approach, being involved in all aspects of the company.
Philanthropy
Schmieding is known for his philanthropy and supports various charitable organizations.