Paragon Medical was incorporated in 1991, and began developing a business concept designed to integrate the manufacturing, storing, sterilizing and presenting of surgical instruments and related medical devices. This concept specifically provides systematic solutions to both medical device manufacturers who sell the instruments and the end user, the healthcare facility.
Paragon began designing and manufacturing customized polymer surgical instrument sterilization cases and trays for the OEM market and has continually improved and expanded this product line. We now extrude our own polymer sheet stock used in the thermoforming process.
In 1996, Paragon acquired the manufacturing equipment necessary to fabricate metal cases and trays. The complete product line now includes custom and standard products in polymer, metal and hybrid applications.
In 1999, Paragon acquired the surgical instruments business of Rotobur Doell, Mfg. Inc., Ft. Wayne, Indiana; then moved the equipment and personnel to the Pierceton facility and began manufacturing custom surgical instruments for orthopaedic device manufacturers. This capability is a natural complement to our existing customer base and allows us to provide precision ground cutting instruments to the medical industry.
In 2001, Paragon began implantable component processing for its OEM customers. Today, Paragon is producing a number of precision manufactured implants to meet the needs of our customers.
In 2004, Paragon expanded into Europe. The expansion included office and administrative support as well as engineering and production. This expansion is another indication of the dominant global position the company has in the medical industry.
In 2005, Paragon constructed a new 65,000 sq. ft. Case & Tray facility in Pierceton. All operations for surgical instrument delivery systems transferred from the existing 110,000 sq. ft. facility to the new structure. The vacated space was maximized to support significant growth in the instruments and implantable components division.
Late 2005 / early 2006, Paragon acquired 5 companies (Mark Machine, Ortho-Craft, OsteoMac, Ortho-Precision, and the Smithfield Utah production facility from DePuy Mitek). The acquisitions provided global centers of manufacturing excellence, expanded core competencies and market segment offerings, and strengthened Paragon's position as a Tier 1 partner of choice.
August 2006, Paragon acquired the medical metal finishing division from Hand Industries, a Warsaw, Indiana based company. This division of Hand Industries was one of the largest outside processors of orthopaedic metal finishing in the United States.
In 2007, Paragon acquired two Indianapolis based companies OMC Precision Products, Ltd. and Tutela Medicus, Inc. complementing Paragon's strong position as a Tier I supplier to medical device OEM's. OMC is a highly respected provider in close tolerance machining and turning, finishing, and assembly of surgical implants primarily for the spinal and neurological markets. Tutela offers development services to assist both medical device manufacturers and medical professionals with product development.
In 2008, Paragon entered into a reciprocal supply agreement with Aesculap, Inc. for distribution of custom closed sterilization container systems to the orthopaedic medical device community. This cooperative partnership combines two market leaders, addresses an obvious market demand for customized closed sterile containers and expands the portfolio of products and services Paragon is able to provide to the industry. This cost effective alternative satisfies the demands of the OEM's, the hospitals and Central Service personnel who are requiring closed container solutions be present with the instruments and implants, without sacrificing the look and feel of a custom containment system.
In May 2008, Paragon celebrated the inauguration of its new manufacturing operations in Changzhou, China with local officials and customers during a special ceremony. Paragon Medical Device (Changzhou) Co. Ltd., located in GDH Riverside Industrial Park, occupies 2100 square meters. This facility strengthens Paragon's position as a world-wide provider, allows for the repatriation of products where it makes sense and gives Paragon a segue for participation in the domestic Chinese market.
In 2009, a new 54,000 square foot facility was constructed in Utah, replacing the previous building purchased from DePuy Mitek, a Johnson & Johnson Company. The Utah facility manufactures trauma and sports medicine implantable components, as well as instruments for the sports medicine and spinal segments. Features of the new facility include a 2,000 square foot class 100,000 clean room, and injection molding capability.
In 2011, Paragon Medical announced the opening of the Bioskills Lab in Pierceton, Indiana. The lab was designed and constructed for the sole purpose of providing customers a convenient, cost effective, full service facility where orthopaedic and other medical device companies can perform cadaveric studies on their products and / or train their surgeons or field representatives on surgical techniques pertaining to their products.
In 2015, Paragon Medical acquired the medical device business segment of Michael Bubolz GmbH, a European manufacturing facility located in Siechnice, Poland. With over 40,000 sq. ft., the facility manufactures close tolerance surgical instruments, a wide variety of orthopaedic implantable components, and also provides complete sterile pack products.
In 2016, Paragon Medical celebrated 25 years in business. Significant expansions were achieved in the 21st century, creating strategic centers of excellence within the United States, Europe, and Asia. One of Paragon’s strengths is the ability to identify needs in the market and develop a product that fits that need. With this, product lines were continually expanded, meeting the needs of customers around the world.
In 2018, Paragon Medical was acquired by NN, Inc., a diversified industrial company, becoming part of NN's Life Sciences portfolio. This allows Paragon Medical to increase the depth and volume of services it offers the global medical device community.
