When Dr. Homer Stryker, an orthopaedic surgeon from Kalamazoo, Michigan, found that certain medical products were not meeting his patients’ needs, he invented new ones. As interest in these products grew, Dr. Stryker started a company in 1941 to produce them. The company’s goal was to help patients lead healthier, more active lives through products and services that make surgery and recovery simpler, faster, and more effective.

Today, Stryker Corporation is a worldwide leader in the medical industry. Company growth has come from offering an unparalleled variety of high quality, innovative products and services and from the dedication of each of the Company’s employees.

We think Dr. Stryker would be pleased.

Timeline:

Early days | 40's | 50's | 60's | 70's | 80's | 90's | 2000

November 4, 1894
Dr. Homer Stryker, Company founder, is born in Athens, Michigan.

May 1925
Dr. Stryker receives medical degree from the University of Michigan.

1936 - 1939
Dr. Stryker invents turning frame and walking heel while completing a degree in orthopaedic surgery from the University of Michigan.

1940
Dr. Stryker begins practice in Kalamazoo, Michigan and establishes offices in Borgess Hospital. The basement area is provided for research & development.

1941
Dr. Stryker begins selling his inventions.

early 1940's
World War II creates heavy demand for the Company’s products.

February 20, 1946
Orthopedic Frame Company is incorporated.

November 16, 1947
Oscillating saw is patented; it cuts casts without injuring underlying skin. This is the forerunner to a broad line of surgical instruments.

1949
Company headquarters established at 420 Alcott Street in Kalamazoo, MI.

1955
Dr. Stryker’s son, Lee Stryker, becomes General Manager of the Company.

1959
Circ-O-lectric Bed is introduced; Stryker Corporation has 60 employees.

January 2, 1964
Company name is changed to Stryker Corporation.

November 11, 1969
Lee Stryker becomes Company President.

July 25, 1976
Lee Stryker dies in plane crash in Wyoming.

February 1, 1977
John Brown is named President and CEO of Stryker Corporation.

1978
Annual Sales reach $22.7 million.

May 2, 1979
Initial public offering of Stryker stock.

August 1, 1979
Stryker acquires Osteonics Corporation and enters the replacement hip, knee, and other orthopaedic implants market.

May 1980
Dr. Stryker dies at age 85. John Brown becomes Company Chairman.

1981
Two separate sales forces, Medical and Surgical, are created to improve focus and customer service. Annual sales reach $43 million.

1983
European Headquarter is created

June 1985
Stryker begins collaboration on osteogenic protein (OP-1) research.

September 4, 1985
Stryker establishes Physical Therapy Incorporated.

1985
Stryker’s annual sales reach $100 million.

May 16, 1986
Company acquires Syn-Optics and expands into the fields of arthroscopy and endoscopy.

October 1, 1992
Stryker acquires Dimso, SA and enters spinal fixation business.

August 6, 1993
Company becomes part owner of Matsumoto Medical Instruments, Inc. in Japan.

1993
Annual Sales of $550 million.

September 6, 1996
Osteo AG is acquired and Stryker enters the trauma market.

July 24, 1997
Company is listed on New York Stock Exchange after 18 years on the NASDAQ.

1997
Sales reach $980 million and Company marks 21 consecutive years of 20% earnings growth.

October 19, 1998
Industry Week magazine names the Osteonics division one of the top 10 manufacturing plants in the U.S.

December 4, 1998
Stryker acquires Howmedica, a major player in the worldwide orthopaedic market, from Pfizer, Inc. and nearly doubles in size.

1999
Annual sales reach $2.1 billion.

2000
Stryker is included in the S&P 500 and the Forbes Platinum 400 for the first time.

October 16, 2000
Stryker Instruments earns Industry Week magazine's top 10 manufacturing plant award.

October 17, 2001
Commercial launch of OP-1.

2001
Annual sales reach $2.6 billion.

June 4, 2002
Surgical Dynamics Inc. is acquired to provide entry into the interbody spinal cage market.

2002
Sales reach $3.0 billion and Stryker is listed in the Fortune 500 for the first time.

June 2003
Steve MacMillan joins Stryker as President and COO.

2003
Company sales top $3.6 billion.