Zimmer Spine is dedicated to the global development, production, and marketing of the highest quality spine products and services that repair, replace and regenerate. Through the hands of skilled surgeons, we enhance patient quality of life.

Like many innovative ventures, Minneapolis-based Zimmer Spine, originally Spine-Tech, was formed around a great idea. In this case, that idea was a device to treat spinal compression in horses. The “Bagby Basket” (named after developer, orthopaedic surgeon George Bagby) was used to treat a degenerative spine condition that caused neck instability in Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew. Dr. Stephen Kuslich, an orthopaedic surgeon from Stillwater, MN, adapted the Bagby Basket for humans.

Dr. Kuslich was among the founders of Spine-Tech in 1991. In 1996, Spine-Tech became the first company to receive approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use of such a device in humans.

In 1998 Spine-Tech was acquired by Sulzer Medica, which in 2001 changed its name to Centerpulse. In 2003 Centerpulse was acquired by Zimmer.

In recent years, the company portfolio has grown to 15 products including a number of pedicle screw systems, dynamic stabilization devices and trabecular metal technology. These devices are used by surgeons to treat a variety of spine problems, including degenerative disc disease (DDD), spondylolisthesis, trauma, and stenosis. The company continues to research and develop new products.

Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Zimmer is the worldwide pure-play leader in the design, development, manufacture and marketing of reconstructive orthopaedic, spinal and dental implants, trauma products and related orthopaedic surgical products. Zimmer has operations in more than 20 countries around the world and sells products in more than 70 countries.

Zimmer is the acknowledged industry leader in Minimally Invasive Solutions™ (MIS™) Procedures and Technologies for joint replacement. In March 2001, the company opened the Zimmer Institute, the anchor for a planned worldwide network of locations dedicated to providing education related to minimally invasive orthopaedics.

Zimmer Holdings, Inc. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Swiss Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ZMH. Zimmer became an independent, publicly traded company on August 7, 2001 when it was spun off from its former parent company.

Founded: 1927 in Warsaw, Indiana, by Justin O. Zimmer (1884-1951)
Global Headquarters: Warsaw, Indiana
European/Australasia Headquarters: Winterthur, Switzerland
Zimmer Spine Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Dental Division Headquarters: Carlsbad, California
Employment: More than 6,500 worldwide; approximately 200 in Minneapolis, MN