WARSAW, Ind., Sep 3, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ --
Ambassador Faith Whittlesey, former United States Ambassador to Switzerland and Chairman of the American Swiss Foundation and Patricia Schramm, President, have announced the appointment of Mr. Ray Elliott, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Zimmer Holdings, Inc. as ex-officio member of the American Swiss Foundation Board of Directors. Mr. Elliott will stand for election as a full member of the Board at the winter Annual Meeting. Mr. Elliott has been President of Zimmer since 1997 and has served on more than fifteen Boards in North America, Europe and Japan.
The American Swiss Foundation was created in 1945 to preserve and strengthen the historic friendship between the United States and Switzerland. A private, non-profit organization, the Foundation has traditionally focused on critical issues between the two countries, and the development, education and exchange of young leaders.
"The American Swiss Foundation has had a long and storied history of contributing to a better understanding between our two countries," commented Ray Elliott, "Their efforts in young leader education and the debate of key political and economic issues will serve to provide a platform for a better future."
Zimmer (NYSE: ZMH), based in Warsaw, Indiana, is a worldwide leader in the design, development, manufacture and marketing of reconstructive orthopaedic implants and trauma products. Orthopaedic reconstruction implants restore joint function lost due to disease or trauma in joints such as knees, hips, shoulders and elbows. Trauma products are devices used primarily to reattach or stabilize damaged bone and tissue to support the body's natural healing process. Zimmer manufactures and markets other products related to orthopaedic surgery. For the year 2002, the Company recorded worldwide revenues of $1.37 billion. Zimmer was founded in 1927 and has more than 3,600 employees worldwide. In June, Zimmer Holdings commenced an offer to acquire Centerpulse AG, a Zurich-based orthopaedics company and the leader in the European market. Zimmer's offer has since been accepted by the required number of Centerpulse shareholders and was recently declared unconditional. Zimmer is expected to finalize the transaction in the coming weeks, which will create the world's #1 pure-play orthopaedics company with more than $2.2 billion in combined 2002 sales and 7000 employees.
Visit Zimmer on the worldwide web at www.zimmer.com
SOURCE Zimmer Holdings, Inc.
Media, Brad Bishop, Public Affairs, +1-574-372-4291, or
[email protected], or Investors, Sam Leno, Chief Financial Officer,
+1-574-372-4790, or [email protected], both of Zimmer Holdings, Inc.
http://www.zimmer.com
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