As part of a recent trip to Germany in celebration of the 50th anniversary of South Carolina’s Department of Commerce’s European office, Governor Henry McMaster and eight leading South Carolina government representatives visited Arthrex’s EMEA headquarters on Tuesday, July 22 to meet with President and Founder Reinhold Schmieding, Vice President of Shareholder Relations and Taxation Dan Hall, Director of Human Resources for Arthrex Manufacturing Inc. Melanie McLane and GmbH leadership and learn more about one of the fastest-growing manufacturing facilities in South Carolina.
In addition to Arthrex, Governor McMaster and the other state officials also visited several German-based companies with manufacturing operations in South Carolina, including Siemens, Bosch and BMW.
The presentation shared with state officials largely focused on Arthrex’s fast-growing Pendleton campus, which – less than six years after opening – now employs nearly 2,000 South Carolina residents.
Melanie added, “We wanted to convey just how quickly – and thoroughly – Arthrex has impacted South Carolina in a meaningful way, not only by creating jobs, but in the unrivaled benefits we offer to employees and all the ways we are contributing to the community.”
Dan spoke to Arthrex’s Charitable Giving Program’s financial support to organizations throughout the Upstate and local employee volunteer efforts promoted by Arthrex’s Volunteer PTO benefit.
Speaking as a representative of the only manufacturing facility in South Carolina currently offering onsite childcare, Dan also encouraged state officials to consider tax incentives similar to what Florida has recently implemented around childcare.
“Such tax incentives offer support to employers like Arthrex in the benefits they are able to offer to their employees,” he said.
A significant part of the presentation also focused on Arthrex’s involvement with area schools – namely Clemson University and Tri-County Technical College – to which Arthrex has donated equipment, training and a combined $1.2 million in scholarship and program funding since 2019.
“Arthrex is making impactful changes in career training and course offerings at these institutions,” Melanie said, highlighting Arthrex’s internship, co-op and apprenticeship opportunities as well as the University Summer Sales Program.
Beyond the programs that have been established and the monetary contributions that have been made, Reinhold and the rest of the team most wanted to emphasize Arthrex’s unique company culture and its commitment to employee well-being.
Thomas C. Alexander, President of the South Carolina Senate, thanked Reinhold for his investment in the Upstate region and for setting the standard in the way Arthrex takes care of its employees.
“I think this visit to Arthrex left a lasting impression on Governor McMaster and the delegation,” said EMEA Arthrex Experience Manager Immanuel Görens. “What they observed while on campus further solidified Arthrex’s role as a key player – not just in South Carolina, but globally.”
