By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — While Slate Auto is capturing national attention as it prepares to open its manufacturing facility in Warsaw, the robust local orthopedic industry — and specifically OrthoWorx — is having another memorable year.
The non-profit, which works to support the orthopedic industry in Warsaw in various ways, will host its first-ever OrthoWorx Summit on Wednesday in Winona Lake.
The event at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center begins at 1 p.m. and will include speeches and group discussions, and is a chance for guests to further appreciate what’s happening locally in orthopedics.
OrthoWorks CEO and President Ryan Christner calls it “a deliberate convening of the entire ecosystem.”
“We want anybody in attendance to come and understand … some of the history about the Orthopedic Capital of the World, what OrthoWorx has done in the past, but also, and more importantly, how to engage in the future to help write the next chapter of the Orthopedic Capital of the World,” Christner said in a recent interview with News Now Warsaw.
The program will include a “fireside chat,” a keynote speech and a handful of breakout sessions on a variety of subjects, including innovation.
You can learn more about how to participate with this link.
The local industry is also seeing a direct benefit from another event held in December of last year.
The first-ever Made Here Manufacturing Showcase highlighted local industry and attracted hundreds of people in Winona Lake.
Among those also attending were representatives of industry from outside the region.
Christner said the program was a key moment for a German company looking to establish a presence in the United States.
“We met with them the day after the showcase, and they were just amazed. They actually thought that we put the showcase on just for them coming here … They just were so in awe of the expertise that we have, 130 years plus of orthopedic expertise,” Christner said.
“They said right then and there, we’re going to put a facility here in the Warsaw area,” he said.
The company, Amnovis, specializes in titanium 3D printing and is working toward opening a facility near North Webster.
Much of the work will involve orthopedic applications.
Christner said they’ll begin operations with about 20 employees.
Christner was joined by Peggy Simmons, the CEO of KEDCO, the county’s economic development wing, for a wide-ranging discussion about business activities in Kosciusko County.
You can hear it this weekend on In the Know, the public affairs show that airs on Kensington digital media radio stations this weekend.
Much of OrthoWorx mission involves education that improves strengthening the workforce pipeline for local orthopedic-related companies.
Other highlights: The organization raised $3,500 for local STEM programs through a “Bones & Barrels” fundraiser and launched the Spring and Summer 2026 Orthopedic Scholar Institute series alongside local hiring fairs.
