Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics, a London-based global provider of leading-edge joint replacement systems, announced a plan to add over 100 new jobs in its Memphis, TN office due to growing global demand. The additional workers will amount to a 5% hike in the company’s local work force, which currently employs 2,005 in Memphis. The medical device manufacturer anounced that it will have a new global office at 7216 Goodlett Farms Parkway starting January 4, 2011 but the current office located at 1450 Brooks Road will continue to serve as the base of the global manufacturing operations of the company. The medical company will start its job hiring in 2011; the jobs include product development designers and engineers, packaging trainers and solution architects. The positions will be split between the two Memphis offices.

Chief Operating officer Gaurav Agarwal said that the additional hiring is part of the plan of global expansion of the company. “We’ll be hiring new talent in areas vital to our business, from engineering and marketing to manufacturing operations and regulatory affairs. As we continue work in 2011 to clinically validate our products and expand into new global markets, we have a need to add people to our core functional areas.” Agarwal also added that Memphis has been a good business location throughout the years so the company decided to expand its operation in the region. “Just as our real estate footprint grew substantially this year, we’ll continue to invest next year in Memphis’ educated work force. Our community has become a leading center for health sciences, and we believe Smith & Nephew is central to its bright future.”

Greater Memphis Chamber Senior Vice President of Economic Development, Mark Herbison, explained that Memphis is a strategic place and that’s why more companies are attracted to the idea of expanding their business in the area. “The things that make Memphis great – the airport, FedEx, the rails –are going to continue to be attractive to them.”