Orthopedic surgical power tools have come a long way. Battery packs have replaced cords and hoses. Regulatory requirements have become more demanding. Expectations around testing and documentation have grown. But despite all this, the core purpose of these tools has stayed the same.
As Reto Strickler, VP of Operations (Ortho, Europe) points out, “The tools we produce today still look very similar to the ones we made 20 or 30 years ago.” The fundamentals are steady. It’s the environment around them that has evolved.
The Job Is Still the Same – So What Has Changed?
Orthopedic drills, saws, and drivers are still built to cut, drill, and fix bone. The shapes and mechanics behind these tools haven’t changed much. Over the decades, these designs have been refined through daily use and close feedback from the surgeons who rely on them.
What has changed is how those tools are made, documented, and validated. Engineers and manufacturers now work within tighter tolerances, stricter testing standards, and more detailed risk assessments than ever before.
Quality and Compliance Are Central Now
Reto sees the biggest shift in the validation and regulatory requirements. “Twenty years ago, we could go straight into production. Now we have to go through full validation phases with risk assessments and traceability.”
Manufacturers today are expected to plan for compliance from the start. From selecting the material, to defining measurement systems, to supporting audits and quality checks—every part of the process needs to be documented and reliable.
Helping customers meet these standards has become just as important as building the tools themselves.
From Parts to Full Solutions
Reto’s team in Hölstein doesn’t just make components. They build fully assembled power tool sub-systems, including gearboxes, drives, and attachments. That means customers can place one order and receive a complete, tested solution.
This approach reduces complexity for the customer. Instead of managing multiple suppliers, validations, and assembly steps, they get a single, integrated service. The result is faster lead times and fewer surprises in production.
Technical Skill is a Requirement – But Experience Adds Value
With more than 35 years of experience in producing surgical power tools, the team in Hölstein brings more than technical skill. They offer early-stage design input that can help reduce cost and improve manufacturability.
“Sometimes we see features on a drawing that don’t add value or make the part harder to produce. We give feedback—can we remove this radius? Is this tolerance really needed?” says Reto.
These small changes can improve manufacturing and testing without affecting performance. By flagging issues early, the team helps customers avoid problems that could delay production later on.
Relationships Bring Compounding Effects
The tools themselves may not have changed much, but the partnerships behind them have grown stronger. Many of our power tool customers have been with Elos Medtech for decades.
That trust is built on transparency, consistent performance, and a willingness to help—even before a contract is signed. As Reto explains, “Our customers quickly realize: we don’t just deliver, we think ahead. Sometimes we simply share an idea, no invoice, just because we genuinely want to help.”
Being part of Elos Medtech has also expanded what Hölstein can offer. By working with other Elos sites in Sweden, the US, and elsewhere, the team can support larger programs with more advanced capabilities and built-in redundancy.