Arthrex Wins Coolest Thing Made in Florida Award
The Naples-based medical device maker secured the top spot with its innovative TightRope PRO ankle implant.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Manufacturing
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Arthrex claimed victory in the second annual Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition. The company outpaced a Northrop Grumman military aircraft to secure the state-wide title.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the growth of high-tech manufacturing in Florida, showcasing how precision medical engineering competes with established aerospace sectors.
The winning device beat out the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, an aircraft backed by a 60-year lineage of warfighter production. Arthrex designed the implant in Naples and produces it in Ave Maria.
The players
Arthrex
This global medical device company specializes in orthopedic surgical innovation and operates its primary headquarters in Naples.
Northrop Grumman
A major aerospace and defense technology firm that maintains significant operations in St. John's County.
The details
The winning TightRope PRO implant is designed to treat high-ankle injuries, syndesmosis, and ankle instability. It features specialized integrated suture tensioning handles and low-profile button implants that facilitate smaller, bone-conserving tunnels during surgery.
Timeline
The second annual Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition took place in 2026.
Market Landscape
This victory follows the precedent set by the first annual Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition. It highlights a shift where medical technology firms are increasingly gaining recognition alongside the state's long-standing aerospace and defense giants.
The award brings increased regional visibility to medical manufacturing jobs located in Ave Maria and Naples. For local residents, the win underscores the growing economic importance of specialized orthopedic engineering within the state economy.
The takeaway
The competition highlights how specialized medical devices are becoming major drivers of regional economic prestige. Readers interested in local industry can track these developments to see how state-level manufacturing priorities continue to evolve.
Further reading
For more on the state industrial sector, visit the Florida Manufacturing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBBH.
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