A medical device manufacturer based in North Naples won the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Florida title for its next-generation ankle injury implant.
Arthrex Inc. earned the state honor after its TightRope PRO Implant beat out more than 100 other products manufactured across all 67 counties in Florida. The winning device treats high-ankle injuries and ankle instability.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce and FloridaCommerce organize the annual competition to celebrate the manufacturers, products, and workers driving innovation and strengthening the state’s economy. The competition launched in 2025.
In late October, Arthrex secured the title during the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2026 Future of Florida Forum (F3) and Florida Chamber Annual Meeting in Orlando.
“Florida manufacturers are creating the products, technology, and jobs that are helping our state compete on a global scale,” Mark Wilson, president and CEO of the Florida chamber and foundation, said.
Jason Mahon, FloridaCommerce’s deputy secretary of economic development and chief manufacturing officer, highlighted the ingenuity of the state’s skilled manufacturers in a statement.
“By celebrating innovative companies, like Arthrex, that call Florida home, we are showcasing the industries that strengthen our economy, attract investment and position our state as a leader on the world stage,” Mahon said.
Reinhold Schmieding, Arthrex’s president and founder, reacted to the state recognition by pointing to the medical focus behind the engineering.
“We are proud to design and manufacture these products in Florida and grateful to the Florida Chamber and FloridaCommerce for recognizing the people behind the innovation,” Schmieding said, adding that the implant represents his company’s commitment to “developing innovative solutions that help physicians improve patient care and get people back to the activities they love.”
Workers manufacture the TightRope PRO Implant at a company plant located in Ave Maria, east of Naples.
Arthrex competed against one other finalist this year: Northrop Grumman, which earned finalist status for its E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. That airborne warning and control system for battle management is manufactured in St. Johns County.
