Key Stats

Founded: 1941 in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Headquarters: Portage, Michigan, United States

CEO: Kevin Lobo (since 2012)

Employees: 53,000

NYSE Ticker Symbol: SYK

Stryker Corp ranks among the largest medical technology companies worldwide. The company develops and manufactures innovative products for orthopedic surgery, medical and surgical equipment, and neurotechnology applications.

Stryker operates through two primary business segments: MedSurg and Neurotechnology, and Orthopaedics and Spine. Products serve doctors, hospitals, and healthcare facilities across approximately 75 countries.

The medical technology giant generated $22.6 billion in revenue for 2024. Stryker products help treat over 150 million patients annually through joint replacements, surgical equipment, and neurovascular devices.

Stryker Corp History

The Stryker Corp story began when Dr. Homer Stryker, an orthopedic surgeon at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan, found existing medical products inadequate for his patients. He invented improved devices himself, starting with the Turning Frame hospital bed that allowed repositioning of injured patients while maintaining body immobility.

Dr. Stryker founded The Orthopedic Frame Company in 1941 to manufacture his inventions. The company also produced the oscillating cast cutter, a revolutionary tool that removed casts without cutting the skin beneath. These innovations established the foundation for growth.

1941

Dr. Homer Stryker founded The Orthopedic Frame Company to manufacture his medical inventions including the Turning Frame bed.

1964

Company renamed to Stryker Corporation. Dr. Stryker retired from his medical practice. Lee Stryker became President.

1977

John W. Brown became President and CEO after Lee Stryker died in a plane crash. Sales stood at $17 million.

1979

Stryker completed its initial public offering on the stock exchange, increasing awareness and capital for expansion.

1979

Acquired Osteonics Corp., entering the orthopedic implant market and establishing reconstructive products segment.

1992

Annual sales reached $1 billion. Company expanded internationally into Japan, China, and Eastern Europe.

2012

Kevin Lobo appointed CEO. He assumed the role of Chairman of the Board in 2014 and continues leading the company.

2013

Acquired MAKO Surgical Corp for $1.65 billion, bringing robotic-assisted surgery technology to orthopedics.

2020

Completed $4.7 billion acquisition of Wright Medical Group, adding upper and lower extremities products.

2022

Acquired Vocera Communications for $3 billion, expanding into clinical communication and workflow solutions.

Stryker Corp Co-founders

Homer H. Stryker, M.D.

Orthopedic surgeon who invented the Turning Frame, oscillating cast cutter, and walking heel. Founded the company in 1941 to manufacture his medical devices.

Stryker Corp Marketcap

Stryker Corp maintains a market capitalization of approximately $139 billion as of late 2025. The company ranks among the world’s most valuable medical technology companies and appears on the Fortune 500 list.

Stryker Corp Market Cap (in Billions USD)

$35B
2015
$44B
2016
$53B
2017
$66B
2018
$81B
2019
$78B
2020
$97B
2021
$101B
2022
$116B
2023
$139B
2024

Stryker Corp Acquisitions

Stryker Corp has pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy under CEO Kevin Lobo, completing over 60 deals since 2011. The company targets acquisitions that strengthen market position in specific product categories and expand technological capabilities.

The 2013 acquisition of MAKO Surgical Corporation for $1.65 billion brought robotic-assisted surgery to Stryker’s orthopedic portfolio. The Mako robotic arm system transformed joint replacement procedures. One of every two Stryker knee implants in the United States now uses the Mako system for precision placement.

In 2016, Stryker acquired Physio-Control for approximately $1.3 billion, expanding its emergency medical equipment offerings. That same year, the company purchased Sage Products to add patient safety and infection prevention products. These deals strengthened the MedSurg segment.

The K2M Group Holdings acquisition in 2018 for $1.4 billion expanded Stryker’s spinal implant business. K2M specialized in complex spine procedures and brought complementary surgical technologies. This purchase enhanced the Neurotechnology and Spine segment.

Stryker completed its largest acquisition in 2020 with the $4.7 billion purchase of Wright Medical Group. Wright Medical added upper extremities products including shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand implants. The deal also brought lower extremities and biologics products for foot and ankle procedures.

The 2022 acquisition of Vocera Communications for $3 billion added clinical communication technology to the portfolio. Vocera provides hands-free communication systems used by healthcare workers. This purchase expanded Stryker’s presence in digital health solutions.

Stryker Corp Revenue

Stryker Corp reported $22.6 billion in total revenue for 2024, representing a 10.2% increase from $20.5 billion in 2023. The MedSurg segment contributed $13.5 billion while Orthopaedics generated $9.1 billion.

Stryker Corp Annual Revenue (in Billions USD)

$9.9B
2015
$11.3B
2016
$12.4B
2017
$13.6B
2018
$14.9B
2019
$14.4B
2020
$17.1B
2021
$18.4B
2022
$20.5B
2023
$22.6B
2024

Stryker Corp Competitors

Stryker Corp competes with major medical technology companies across orthopedics, surgical equipment, and neurotechnology markets. The industry features intense competition for hospital contracts and surgeon relationships.

Company Headquarters Primary Products
Zimmer Biomet Warsaw, Indiana Hip, knee, and shoulder implants
Medtronic Minneapolis, Minnesota Spine products, surgical navigation
Johnson & Johnson New Brunswick, New Jersey Orthopedics, trauma devices
Smith & Nephew Watford, United Kingdom Wound care, sports medicine
CONMED Largo, Florida Surgical devices, orthopedics
Arthrex Naples, Florida Sports medicine, arthroscopy
Globus Medical Audubon, Pennsylvania Spine implants, robotics
Karl Storz Tuttlingen, Germany Endoscopy systems
Boston Scientific Marlborough, Massachusetts Neurovascular, cardiac devices
NuVasive San Diego, California Spine surgery technology

FAQs

Who founded Stryker Corp?

Dr. Homer H. Stryker, an orthopedic surgeon from Kalamazoo, Michigan, founded the company in 1941. He created The Orthopedic Frame Company to manufacture medical devices he invented to better serve his patients.

What does Stryker Corp make?

Stryker manufactures medical technology products including joint replacement implants, surgical equipment, hospital beds, neurovascular devices, and robotic surgery systems. The company serves healthcare providers in over 75 countries.

Where is Stryker Corp headquartered?

Stryker Corp headquarters are located in Portage, Michigan at 1941 Stryker Way. The company maintains significant manufacturing and research facilities in the Kalamazoo area where it was founded.

What is Stryker Mako?

Mako is Stryker’s robotic-assisted surgery system for joint replacement procedures. Stryker acquired MAKO Surgical Corporation in 2013 for $1.65 billion. The system assists surgeons with hip, knee, and shoulder replacements.

How much revenue does Stryker Corp generate?

Stryker Corp generated $22.6 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2024. The company has experienced consistent revenue growth with over 10% annual increases in recent years through organic growth and acquisitions.

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