After nearly four years, first serving as Chairman of the Board and soon after becoming the CEO of Elos Medtech, Stefano Alfonsi will be stepping down from his position as CEO for personal reasons by the 1st of November 2025. Stefano will remain a member of the Board of Directors.
Stefano has shaped Elos’ strategy, strengthened the commercial and customer focus, significantly expanded our global capabilities with the Klingel Acquisition and has taken Elos private. We appreciate Stefano’s ambitious leadership and his steadfast commitment to reimagining partnerships to enhance lives.
Looking forward, we are pleased to share that Winfried Schaller, who has served on our Board of Directors for the past two and a half years, will assume the role of CEO. Having collaborated closely with our senior leadership, Winfried possesses keen insight into our business, is strongly aligned with our values and shares our dedication to a customer first approach and our growth and innovation journey ahead.
Winfried is an outstanding leader with more than 30 years of international leadership experience. His proven track record of transforming and globalizing businesses across multiple industries makes him ideally suited to guide Elos. His deep expertise in strategy, operational transformation, and M&A will be instrumental in leading Elos into its next phase of growth and innovation.
To all employees, customers, and partners — thank you for your ongoing trust. We remain committed to delivering exceptional value through innovation, partnership, and aiming for excellence in everything we do.
Our people power everything we do – they work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring our customers’ ideas into life-changing solutions. In this edition of our Meet the Expert series, we sit down with Reto Strickler. Reto is VP of Operations (Ortho) for Europe, and the site leader of our Hölstein and Matzingen facilitiesin Switzerland. With more than 35 years of experience in the development and manufacturing of surgical power tools, Reto has seen the industry evolve—and played a direct role in shaping how these complex devices are made today.
You’ve been working in power tools for a long time. What’s kept you in it?
Power tools is kind of in my DNA. I started as a precision mechanic, and after my apprenticeship, I moved into different departments—turning, milling, assembly, planning, purchasing. I basically changed every year to the next department, which gave me a full view of the process.
I’ve always enjoyed the challenge. Power tools are small, complex systems. There are a lot of parts, tight tolerances, and everything has to work perfectly in the end. It’s interesting, and it keeps you learning.
What’s the main focus at your sites in Hölstein and Matzingen?
We mainly focus on power tools and gearboxes. We machine a lot of complex parts—turned and milled components, shafts, housings—and we do gearbox assembly and final assembly of the handpieces. We also do testing and some cleaning and packaging.
For many of our customers, we handle the full solution. One order, one drawing, one finished solution. That’s the strength of Elos—we’re not just making a part and shipping it out. We take responsibility for the whole assembly and help make sure it meets all requirements.
You mentioned reviewing customer drawings and giving feedback. What does that process look like?
Often when we get a new drawing, there’s room to optimize. The customer might add a radius that’s not really needed, or there might be features that make the part more expensive to machine without adding value.
We give feedback early—usually after the first technical review. We ask questions: Do you really need this feature? Can we remove this radius? Can we simplify this surface? It’s not just about cost—it’s also about manufacturability and testing.
Sometimes, a customer designs a part with tolerances that are technically okay, but we can’t measure them properly. Then we have to push back. If we can’t measure it, we can’t guarantee it. It’s better to catch those things up front than to struggle later.
How does this help customers in the long run?
If we don’t raise these questions early, the problems come later—maybe during testing, maybe in validation, maybe even in production. Then it’s expensive and slow to fix.
What we try to do is give the customer options. We explain the issue, show the impact, and offer solutions. Sometimes they accept the change, sometimes they stick to the original—but at least they know the trade-offs.
What’s something customers might now know about Elos?
Some customers don’t realize how much we do under one roof. We machine the parts, assemble the tools, do the testing, and manage the documentation. That reduces complexity for the customer—they don’t need to work with ten suppliers. They just send us the order and we deliver the complete, tested product.
We’ve also been working with some of our customers for over 30 years. That kind of long-term relationship doesn’t come from nothing. It’s built on trust—on delivering consistent quality, even as the requirements change.
What’s ahead for the team in Hölstein and Matzingen?
Now that we’re part of Elos Medtech, we’re working more closely with the other sites—sharing experience, combining capabilities. That opens a lot of doors for customers. If one site doesn’t have capacity, another can support. Or we might do part of the work in one site and finish it in another.
That flexibility is a real advantage, especially with more complex projects.
Outside of work, what keeps you balanced?
My hobby is mountain biking. I really enjoy riding in the Swiss mountains—it’s where I recharge. After a long week or a busy period, being out in nature gives me energy back.
Reto Strickler and his team in Hölstein and Matzingen combine decades of experience with a hands-on, customer-first approach—delivering precise, tested, and fully assembled solutions that support surgeons and simplify the supply chain.
Stay tuned for more insights from the people behind the products at Elos Medtech.
Our people power everything we do – they work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring our customers’ ideas into life-changing solutions. In this edition of our Meet the Expert series, we sit down with Michael Mocker. Michael heads up project engineering for new New Product Introductions (NPI) in our Advanced Surgical Business Unit. Let’s find out why Michael works in this area, and how his experience brings unique value to our customers.
Can you share a bit about your role and what excites you most about working in the Advanced Surgical BU?
I joined Elos Medtech in February 2025, focusing on New Product Introduction (NPI). What excites me the most is the opportunity to improve lives. Even though we’re often far removed from the direct patient outcome, it’s this purpose that drives me. To truly understand how we can make a difference, we need strong relationships with our customers, this connection helps us grasp the real needs behind the products.
I’ve been in the medical device industry for 13 years, and over that time, one of the most rewarding aspects of the role for me is sharing my experience with the team. It’s something I see as a gift, mentoring others to improve not only supports their growth but ultimately benefits our customers too. They gain the collective value of my experience through the team’s enhanced capabilities.
How do you see your experience adding to what Elos Medtech offers for Medtech companies with advanced surgical products?
My background is largely in vascular and implantable devices, which are categorized as Class III regulatory standards, some of the most rigorous in the industry. In Advanced Surgical, many of our products fall under Class IIa/IIb . This gives me the opportunity to apply that Class III mindset, bringing an added level of scrutiny to our planning and processes.
Importantly, I strive to integrate these higher standards without adding unnecessary complexity. It’s about striking the right balance to help our customers develop the best possible products, efficiently, effectively, and safely.
What sets Elos Medtech apart when it comes to delivering solutions in Advanced Surgical?
For me, it’s our ability to build long-term, trusted partnerships. Our global footprint enables us to stay flexible and responsive, offering customers tailored support by identifying the right internal experts for their specific needs.
What also stands out is our collaborative culture. Across divisions, we share insights and innovation, ensuring our customers benefit from a broad range of expertise. That’s something not every manufacturer can offer.
Elos is an ever-expanding company. How do you see the different specialities within Elos Medtech benefiting your customers?
Cross-functional collaboration is a real strength here. For instance, we’ve had long-standing orthopedic customers who are now expanding into Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS). Because they already trust our quality and support, it’s a natural progression for them to continue working with us as they enter new fields.
This kind of continuity helps strengthen our relationships beyond a traditional customer-supplier dynamic, we work as true partners. When our customers succeed, so do we. That’s the foundation of long-term success.
Robot-Assisted Surgery is a rapidly evolving field. With general surgical robotics being the fastest-growing area in medical robotics, what key factors are driving this growth, and how is Elos Medtech supporting innovation?
RAS is still in its early stages, but it’s expanding quickly as both customers and end users recognize its potential. Growth tends to be similar to other medical devices, slow at first, but once the value is proven, adoption becomes global and rapid.
Because Elos Medtech already has established relationships with many key players in this space and large capacities over different sites that can support each other, we’re well-positioned to support that growth. Our role is to help our partners scale their innovation efficiently and reliably—whether that’s through design input, manufacturing, or regulatory expertise.
On a more personal note, what’s one interesting fact people may not know about you?
I found my own company in 2008, a webshop selling spare and tuning parts for motorcycles. It all started with my own passion for rebuilding, tuning and riding bikes. Running this business gives me insight into every part of a company, from operations to customer service.
Working directly with end customers has also given me a different perspective—one that helps me appreciate the importance of clear communication, responsiveness, and long-term satisfaction. It’s an experience that adds another layer to how I approach my role at Elos Medtech, as well as sharing different views on a diversity of topics with my team.
Stay tuned for more insights from the experts at Elos Medtech, where innovation meets precision to drive healthcare forward.
At Elos Medtech, we pride ourselves on not only being a trusted partner in the medical device industry but also on the people who bring that vision to life. In this edition of our “Meet the Expert” series, we’re excited to spotlight Justin Barnes, our Sales and Customer Services Manager in the U.S., who embodies what it means to be both passionate and results-oriented.
From Local Roots to Global Reach
Justin’s journey with Elos began in Memphis, where he walked past a medical device manufacturer every day on his way to high school. That daily inspiration eventually led him into the medical device industry, an arena he describes as both exciting and deeply rewarding for its tangible impact on people’s lives.
“I’ve always been drawn to work that matters,” Justin shares. “At Elos, I found a purpose-driven career and a team that genuinely cares about making a difference.”
Having started on the front lines, Justin quickly rose through the ranks, eventually leading the very team he began in. Though he briefly left Memphis, the pull of meaningful work and a company he loved brought him back, along with a renewed commitment to orthopedic innovation.
A Front-Row Seat to Industry Transformation
Over the last decade, Justin has seen the orthopedic landscape shift dramatically, especially with the rise of robotics.
“Many of our customers are laser-focused on robotics to improve both efficiency and outcomes,” he says. “I even had the chance to use one of our customers’ robotic systems on sawbones, It was used to cut the bone and only allowed you to cut a designated portion of the bone not a hair more. The blade would retract if you tried to cut outside of the pre determined area. It was incredible to see firsthand how it minimizes risk and guides surgical precision.”
This hands-on experience is part of what makes Justin, and by extension, Elos Medtech, so uniquely equipped to understand and support customer needs. It’s not just about making parts; it’s about mastering the whole picture.
What Sets Elos Apart?
“Our people,” Justin says without hesitation. “Many who leave eventually find their way back. That tells you something about our culture and our commitment.”
Elos Medtech’s evolution from a single Memphis-based plant to a global CDMO has expanded its capabilities exponentially. Whether it’s leveraging torque wrench tooling from one site, precision turning from another, or sterile packaging from yet another, Elos ensures customers experience a seamless, integrated solution.
“To the customer, it’s one company. Behind the scenes, it’s a well-oiled machine,” Justin adds.
Driving Innovation Together
Today’s customers expect more than just manufacturing, they expect innovation. That’s why Elos isn’t a traditional CMO. With specialized engineers focused on R&D, we proactively adapt designs with our customers but we don’t stop there. Our deep understanding of our customers and their customers needs mean we proactively explore new opportunities such as new surface treatments, and procedural kits that bring added value and efficiency to our long-standing partners.
More Than Manufacturing-A Mental Game
Outside of work, Justin draws from his collegiate baseball days to bring mental toughness and consistency to his role.
“Baseball taught me discipline and the importance of showing up every day with the same energy,” he says. “Now, I bring that same mindset to every project.”
Though he’s swapped the baseball diamond for the golf course, Justin’s approach remains the same-steadfast, strategic, and always aiming for the win.
Stay tuned for more expert insights from the people who make Elos Medtech a global leader in medical device innovation.
Elos Medtech is excited to announce the merger of Finance and Digital services under one leadership, with Joerg Mayer joining as our new Group Chief Financial & Digital Officer. This strategic move reflects our commitment to delivering best-in-class technology that makes a meaningful impact.
Joerg will oversee Finance, Treasury, Tax, Legal, Compliance, M&A execution, and our evolving Digital Ecosystem. As part of the Executive Management Team, he will drive strategic value, align functions across business units, and fuel growth and synergy, playing a key role in our future success.
Says CEO Stefano Alfonsi:
“With 25+ years of experience, including CFO roles at Acura Zahnaerzte and Amann Girrbach, Joerg is well-equipped to lead the integration of Finance and Digital services, especially with our new ERP and digital ecosystem projects.”
Read on to learn what Joerg Mayer has to say about his new role at Elos Medtech:
Passion ForMedical Technology
What particularly drew Joerg to the medtech industry was the opportunity to have a direct positive impact on people’s lives. More specifically, making a meaningful contribution to society by developing innovative solutions that improve healthcare and help patients lead better lives.
“I look forward to being part of an exciting restructuration in our journey to strengthen our global initiatives, foster innovation and position Elos Medtech for continued success,” says Joerg.
Resonating With Our Vision and Mission
Joerg’s motivation to join Elos Medtech was the opportunity to work in an innovative and dynamic environment dedicated to improving the quality of life through advanced medical technology.
“Elos’ vision and values, particularly the goal of developing ‘next-generation sustainable MedTech solutions’ immediately resonated with me”, he shares. “And the mission ‘to deliver best-in-class technology that makes a meaningful difference for patients and customers worldwide’ really inspired me.”
Company Culture
So what’s his first impression of Elos like?
“Extremely positive I would say. The whole culture is characterized by openness, collaboration, and a strong focus on innovation. The employees are not only highly qualified and dedicated but also very warm and supportive. It is inspiring to be part of a team that is so passionate about improving healthcare and upholding values such as ‘collaboration’, ‘passion’, ‘trustworthiness’ and ‘result orientation’.”
Changes And Challenges
In the coming weeks and months, the goal for Joerg is to collaborate with CEO Stefano Alfonsi and the Executive Management Team on Value Creation, Strategy and deep dive to Finance, Treasury, Tax, Legal, Compliance, M&A execution and Digital Transformation. A particular challenge for them will be to drive the alignment across all the different business units and sites to build a world-class Finance and Digital Service organization globally. Looking ahead, this work will help the company optimize the business processes, increase efficiency, promote stronger collaboration and operational excellence.
Work/Life Balance
Despite the busy times ahead, Joerg makes sure to achieve a suitable balance between work and private life.
“Family is very important to me, and I enjoy spending time with my loved ones. I am a passionate runner and road cyclist, which is a wonderful balance to work live. Additionally, sailing is one of my great passions, which helps me to unwind and get recharged.”
Join us in welcoming Joerg to Elos Medtech!
Are you interested in joining Elos Medtech? Visit our Careers page for job openings.
For Manufacturing Engineer Harika Vuppalapati no day is the same. Her responsibility is keeping the machines running so production can run – always – while she’s also involved in several other projects, such as process improvements, software migration and WI/SOP creation. Harika is a true role model to embody the celebration of Women and Girls in Science.
Journey in Science and Technology
As a child growing up, Harika’s dream was to become a pediatric doctor. But when she started high school and joined a four year STEM program – that changed her path. She became very interested in Robotics. The program allowed Harika to get Solidworks certified and learn more behind designing, programming, and marketing, which would spark her interest in engineering.
She especially enjoyed working with different teams such as build, programming, marketing, strategy and design, to create a competitive robot.
In college, Harika majored in biomedical engineering and mathematics with a minor in marketing management. After an internship at Smith & Nephew, she was recommended to Elos Medtech by an Engineering Director who used to work there. This June will mark two years since Harika’s journey with Elos started.
“Elos Memphis has been going through many changes, and one was implementing value streams. I am a value stream leader and currently trying to navigate ways to improve the process, cost reduction, and maintain machines to better help operators’ daily work,” says Harika.
Engineering Heritage
Harika credits her Robotics/STEM teacher for a big part of her career, who helped her grow and learn. But her earliest influencer was her grandfather. He had always been especially interested in mechanics and saw these abilities in his granddaughter as well.
“He took things apart and fixed stuff on his own with little to nothing. He loved doing this whenever he could. He passed away soon after I started at Elos but I know he was very proud of me and everything I have done so far.”
Another situation that affected Harika’s interest in science was her mother’s arm surgery when Harika was in high school. She needed two plates and 14 screws, and Harika became intrigued by the world of medical technology and how the tiny titanium parts can help save somebody’s day to day life.
Women in STEM
Before entering the work force, Harika had often heard stories of women not feeling accepted in this male-dominated field and she was worried about what could happen when she enters as a recent graduate engineer. Luckily, this has not been a problem for her in the workplace, largely thanks to an inclusive environment that allows everyone, regardless of age, race or gender, to speak and learn. She never felt ignored or that she couldn’t voice her opinion even when she would often walk into meetings and be the only woman in the room.
“Now, people ask for MY knowledge!” says Harika. “Many male mentors have given me advice and helped me navigate through challenges, and now I have a female engineering director who has shared a lot of knowledge as well.”
She urges other women in the industry to stay confident, advocate for themselves, and connect with others who are striving to create a more inclusive environment. Ask questions, challenge ideas, and try to find a mentor that will help push growth both in their career and life.
“Take the chance and go for it! Don’t worry about failure as it is just part of the process. If you try something and it doesn’t work, that is okay. You are aiming towards your goal and there will always be people here to support you. The world needs more women in STEM, and you have a place in it!”
Passions
When she’s not overseeing the production process, Harika’s passions are dancing, listening to music, hiking outside in nature, and photography which allows her to view the world in different angles, and capture memories. So far, she has travelled to over 40 US states and 13 countries, including her native India.
“I have had the opportunity to meet many new people and learn about different cultures and food, see many historical sites and world landmarks, and make many connections through my volunteering groups.”
Growing Into A Leader
Long-term, Harika sees herself in a leadership role where she can guide teams to improve processes and develop new medical devices that can make a meaningful impact. She is keen on building an environment where everyone can trust each other and bring their individual strengths and backgrounds together.
“Becoming a leader will allow me to grow further and improve my skills, while also being an influence/help those around me grow as well.”
Working at Elos Medtech
Elos Medtech actively works towards attracting students to pursue careers in technology and engineering through close cooperation with other members and engagement initiatives. The company is adamant about breaking down gender barriers in the tech world for young women aspiring to careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
“To be able to share my knowledge and be an important part of the supply chain for IVF treatments, blood tests, allergy tests and other medical technology products – it’s such a luxury!”
Quality Manager Maria Sköld’s journey in science and technology started at Elos Medtech Skara, Sweden, in 1999. Until then she had little knowledge about the manufacturing of medical polymer solutions or how they can help people.
Quality Focus
As Quality Manager, Maria does everything from article preparation, deviation investigations, producing instructions and answering questions from production while planning and maintaining the QMS.
She began as an operator in the post-processing department and progresssed to different roles within the company over the years. After the Skara entity became part of Elos Medtech AB in 2011, Maria was promoted to quality coordinator and that’s where her career within quality really began in earnest.
Maria spent six intense months establishing all routines, procedures and templates to certify the factory against ISO 13485. In 2012, Skara – together with the other companies in Elos Medtech AB – was included in the common ISO 13485:2003 certificate. A victory for Maria and the whole quality department.
In 2018, Maria was promoted to Quality Manager, a highlight so far in her career. Since then, the company has undergone several major audits by both FDA, BSI and DNV, with successful results. But she is careful not to take all the credit.
“Here in Skara, we have a ‘watchword’ that has followed us all these years and that is quality. Who is responsible for the quality? We all are!”
Customer and Togetherness
Quality is obviously always top of mind for Maria’s team – but she’s also keen on applying the company’s values in her daily work. Living up to the Togetherness value she tries to be a present manager and to have regular contact with her colleagues every day.
At Elos, the customer is at the heart of everything we do. Creating trust between customer and supplier should always be prioritized and maintained. This is in Maria’s back bone as she has several ongoing customer projects at all times.
“Credibility is the most important part of any relationship. Meeting new and old customers who request new products with different technical solutions – that’s what makes my work interesting and different every day.”
Personal Achievements
When she’s not working, Maria indulges in sports preferably outdoors as she loves the nature. She and her family share several interests such as traveling, skiing, playing padel and golf.
“I do have a few secrets that I am very proud of! One is that I have actually done three HIO (Hole In One) during my ‘golf career’. And in 2024 I completed the 90 km long skiing competition ‘Vasaloppet’, together with my son.”
Future
Going forward, Maria hopes that the company continues to challenge themselves by manufacturing more products, creating new production methods and developing new technical solutions. She also sees herself as a part of the continued success at Elos Skara.
Being able to participate in the manufacture of products that can help another person to a better life is what gives her the inspiration and energy to continue looking forward to what awaits in the future.
“One of our former board chairmen once said to us at an inauguration of new premises, ‘All you who work here in Skara should be so proud. You help create lives and you save lives with the products you manufacture!”
Working at Elos Medtech
Maria has never regretted embarking on a career in science. So what would her advice to young girls, wishing the same, be?
“Be curious, dare to ask and believe in yourself! To have the chance to develop and share knowledge with others is honorable. Take the chance – the industry of technology and science is incredibly exciting!”
Elos Medtech actively works towards attracting students to pursue careers in technology and engineering through close cooperation with other members and engagement initiatives, for example partnering with the University of Skövde. The company is also adamant about breaking down gender barriers in the tech world for young women aspiring to careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
“The reason I’m so passionate about the quality of medical devices is that I’ve personally seen how they have eased or eliminated the pain of several of my close relatives, greatly improving their lives. The importance of quality in this industry cannot be underestimated! ~ Quality Engineer Linda Holmes, Elos Medtech, Memphis, USA.
Breaking Norms in Science and Technology
Linda’s passion for science is hard to miss. She has been with Elos Medtech for seven years now – but the road was anything but straightforward.
Her interest in the industry was sparked in 7th grade, when one of Linda’s teachers fought for her to be able to take metal and wood shop. In the 1970’s this was unheard of – girls took cooking and sewing classes and were forbidden from taking shop. Linda and her friends became the first girls in the school’s history to take shop classes.
Linda was also fascinated by her older brother’s drawings from his high school drafting class. To her, drafting seemed like the perfect combination of art and precision. Once she was old enough to take the class herself, she discovered that she loved it just as much as she thought she would.
Perseverence
Drafting planted the seed of her future career in the medical device industry. Linda’s drafting instructor selected her to receive a scholarship to further her education at the local community college. Linda hadn’t intended to continue her education, as she needed to work full-time to pay her bills. But rather than relinquish the scholarship, she went on to work full-time and go to school in the evenings.
After receiving her Associate Degree, Linda continued to take occasional night classes, constantly working towards her Bachelor’s Degree while trying to manage full-time work and raising kids.
“My co-workers encouraged me to enroll in a weekend engineering program, which I did. I received my Bachelor’s Degree during the year that I turned 50! It took a while at my snail’s pace, but I eventually achieved my goal.”
While attending college, a classmate recognized Linda’s analytical thinking and her appreciation for precision and accuracy, and encouraged her to pursue a career in Medical Devices and Quality, which she did. This also fulfilled her desire to help others.
“I was surprised to learn how fascinated I was with the anatomy and physiology class that I took to help me better understand medical devices”, says Linda. “I was equally intrigued by cadaver labs. My machining classes taught me to appreciate some of the challenges faced by machinists. What I learned there confirmed that the medical device industry was a good match for me.”
Trusting the Process
As Quality Engineer, Linda uses the Engineering Review process to determine the root cause of non-conforming product to prevent reoccurrences and to reduce scrap (non-conforming Medical Devices that cannot be repaired through rework). She determines the optimum rework method while keeping various considerations in mind.
In her daily work, she teaches her co-workers the Engineering Review process, provides Print Reading training to new employees during orientation classes, creates and modifies SOP’s, etc. There’s a lot of variety in the role – and that’s what she likes about it.
Says Linda, “Priorities shift frequently. For example, I may need to shift my attention to resolve a hold on a work order, allowing shipment of the product. I enjoy learning and I enjoy understanding the connection between departments.”
“I love spending time with my family. I enjoy the outdoors, hiking, Memphis, the arts, and music – especially the blues!”
Linda’s Path to Success
Linda has spent the past 34 years contributing to the design and quality of medical devices. She never really had a vision of her career – it sort of just evolved by her making decisions based on her interests and preferences along the way, which altered her path forward.
A ‘Career highlight’ is not a singular event for me. It’s the sense of satisfaction I get knowing that I have an impact on improving the lives of others by providing quality medical devices for patients and surgeons.”
A true analyst, Linda thoroughly enjoys the psychological aspects of understanding root causes. She always tries to understand and evaluate if errors are made due to unclear wording on the work order, training deficiencies or perhaps workspace and morale. She believes that processes are typically the root cause of issues – not people – which is why she’s constantly working to determine which processes can be modified to help improve product quality.
It’s a never-ending endeavor since there are constantly new employees, new systems, new products and new assets to investigate. But even minor improvements can help improve the process, allowing patients to get the quality products they need in a timely manner so that their lives can be improved sooner than later.
Linda has had various roles as Drafter, Designer, Engineering Technician, Design Control Specialist, Supervisor, Supplier Quality Engineering, Process Engineer, and Quality Engineering. She plans to continue to utilize her decades of skills and knowledge.
“I’ll continue to find ways to provide patients with quality medical devices in a timely manner,” Linda confirms.
Male Dominance in the Industry
Linda was usually the only female in her industry-related classes. There were not many women in the industry at that time. Most of the people who inspired her path were men. Reflecting on decades of working in a typically male-dominated industry, Linda does acknowledge that the situation has improved over the years:
“Reinhold Niebuhr, author of “The Serenity Prayer,” which was later quoted by Winnifred Wygal, American YWCA official, states it best: “…accept the things I cannot change, change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Women need to speak up, find their voice. If you notice something that doesn’t seem equitable, ask for the policy to be modified. Policies have historically been made by men without input from women. For example, women who work outside of the home are often also caregivers and therefore have unique challenges affecting their work-life balance. Speak up to expand policies that will help you maintain a career and a family simultaneously. You are your own best advocate.”
This is also the advice she wants to instill in young women and girls dreaming of pursuing a career in science and technology:
“Go for it! Don’t worry about being outnumbered by men. Most men are supportive. Navigate around roadblocks. (It’s like Groundhog Day…Learn from yesterday: If plan A didn’t work, move to plan B. Don’t run out of plans). Women often seem to excel at collaboration and empathy, both of which the industry needs. Persevere!”
In our series recognizing the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we are shining a light on some of the exceptional women working in technical roles at Elos Medtech. Next up is Amy Schoenfelder, Director of Engineering at our Memphis site!
Amy’s Expertise: Variety, Passion and Collaboration
As Director of Engineering, Amy is the lead of Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, Maintenance, and Project Management at the Memphis site. She’s been with Elos Medtech for less than a year, but so far she thinks it has been a very rewarding experience. Her highlight so far has been building a unified engineering department at the Memphis facility. This has fostered a more cohesive team, ensuring alignment on goals and objectives, and strengthening collaboration across engineering disciplines.
What she loves most about her role is the variety—no two days are the same, which keeps her engaged in Operations Engineering.
“My passion is working with my team, focusing on strategic planning, problem-solving, and process improvements,” she says. “While much of my time is spent on project planning and team development, I always strive to be hands-on and engage with operators and engineers on the production floor—something I truly enjoy.”
Discovering a Passion for Medical Devices
Amy’s interest in science and technology began in 6th grade when her class learned about the Human Genome Project* as it was nearing completion. Amy became fascinated by the idea of contributing to something groundbreaking and knew from then on that she wanted to make a meaningful impact.
In college, she discovered her passion for medical devices, drawn by her love for math—especially statics and deformable bodies—and how they apply to the human body. The blend of engineering, problem-solving, and real-world healthcare impact made medical devices the perfect fit, shaping her career ever since.
“I’ve always loved learning,” says Amy with a laugh, “- and school was something I genuinely enjoyed. In fact, I was the child who was upset on the first day of school because they didn’t immediately teach me how to read!”
As she progressed in school, she naturally gravitated toward math and science. There was something comforting about data and logic—the way numbers and formulas could explain the world around. That enjoyment of problem-solving eventually led her to engineering, where she found a perfect balance between technical challenges and real-world impact.
Earning and Paying Respect
Despite the industry’s male-dominated reputation, Amy shares that she’s had a very positive experience in engineering and operations. Early in her career she did feel the need to prove herself, as she was often the minority on teams. However, over time, she realized that the best way to earn respect was through competence, collaboration, and consistently delivering results.
She also credits her success to learning the importance of patience and staying committed to the responsibilities she was given. Being faithful in the tasks and executing them well helped build trust and credibility.
Another major factor in Amy’s journey was the mentorship she received early in her career. She was fortunate to have mentors who made sure she was in the right place at the right time, providing guidance and opportunities that helped shape her path. Their support taught her the power of mentorship, which she now strives to pay forward by supporting and encouraging others in the field.
Amy’s Progression in Her Role
At the beginning of her career, Amy would have never predicted that she’d be where she is today. What is very clear to her, is that she enjoys medical devices and operations—the fast-paced problem-solving, process improvements, and the ability to make a real impact on healthcare.
“I see myself continuing to grow as a leader in this space, taking on new challenges, driving innovation, and developing high-performing teams. Whether by expanding my current role or exploring new opportunities, my goal remains the same: make a difference, support my team, and advance medical technology.”
Three Pointers to a New Starter at Elos:
“1. Embrace curiosity, stay persistent, and believe in yourself and your abilities.
2. Pursue your passion even if you don’t see many people like you in the field. Find mentors, ask questions, and embrace challenges.
3. If something pushes you outside your comfort zone, it’s probably worth pursuing—those are the experiences that lead to the most growth, even if you don’t realize it yet.”
* The Human Genome Project was an international scientific research project with the goal of determining the base pairs that make up human DNA, and of identifying, mapping and sequencing all of the genes of the human genome. It started in 1990 and was completed in 2003.
In our series highlighting Women and Girls in Science, we want to introduce you to Evelina Gryttborn who has been with Elos Medtech since 2011. Today she’s the shift leader for Post Processing in Timmersdala and leads a department of 17 people.
Customer Focus
As Team Leader Assembly, Evelina’s main responsibilities are to distribute the daily work in the department and ensure all production groups are properly staffed. The goal is always to get the best output and efficiency possible, to be able to deliver to the customer on time. At Elos, the customer is at the heart of all we do, which is truly embodied in Evelina’s team and something she tries to reinforce everyday.
“It’s important to communicate the company’s goals, values and visions in a clear, structured and good way so that we all strive towards the same goal,” says Evelina.
From Interest to Industry
Evelina’s career at Elos Medtech began some 14 years ago, as an operator in Post Processing. She quickly progressed to become a team leader and then a shift leader in the same department. What led her to the company in the first place was a personal journey, first to understand how an industry can be structured. What are the team’s goals and how could she influence them? She found that she enjoyed being a central part of the team; planning and structuring their daily work and setting the direction.
I have always found it inspiring that we are involved in influencing other people’s quality of life and make a difference to so many individuals through our customers’ products.
Her role also includes personnel responsibility, such as employee interviews and care interviews, and bringing different departments together as they have a close collaboration within the company.
“I enjoy my current role very much and get joy and energy from developing my team so that we can grow together.”
Gender Gap in Tech
It’s not news that the tech industry is predominated by men. However, Evelina hasn’t found that to be an issue at Elos Medtech. In her experience, Elos is a place where everyone can get the opportunity for development regardless of gender. Every individual is seen, and strengths in each person, regardless of the position they hold or what gender they are, is highlighted and respected.
“Everyone is equally important and everyone plays a big role in the company. I have been given the opportunity to develop within the company and I am very grateful for that.”
So what’ would she say’s her advice to girls and young women looking to pursue a career in technology or science?
“I would say dare to take the chance! You have a lot to gain if you start working in the technical fields. There are so many paths one can choose. It is both edifying and fun that there are so many different options in the technical fields today, yet I don’t think we have seen everything. Within the technical areas there is everything from planning, preparation, process technicians, production management and production personnel. It is a branch that will always develop and there are endless possibilities.”
Personal and Professional Development
Where will Evelina’s career take her? She sees it two-fold: Her personal goal is to become an even better leader for the individual employee, but also to be part of a journey with Elos Medtech towards the future where the company plays world class. Right now she’s in the middle of her peak at Elos, and looks forward to developing even more along with her team, both personally as a leader and within the processes where the whole company constantly strives for a higher level.
“Elos Medtech means something, it is quality of life, it is technology but also a team game, together we are Elos Medtech. We make a difference!”
Working at Elos Medtech
At Elos Medtech we encourage students to pursue careers in technology and engineering through cooperation with relevant organisations, such as the University of Skövde which is partnered with our Skara site. We are determined to break down gender barriers in the tech world for young women aspiring to careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
