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Stryker’s Kevin Lobo Explains Why He Calls Medtech Home, How the “Serial Acquirer” Will Keep Growing

June 17, 2019

Growing up in Canada, Kevin Lobo only knew he wanted to be a senior executive at a global company someday. That overriding objective took him through the consumer good and chemical industries before the financial executive found his first job in Medtech. In this interview conducted at the Medtech Conference in Minneapolis, Lobo reveals that while he first was reluctant to take that Medtech job, he’s now grateful to have found a home. “If you’ve only been in Medtech, you do not understand how lucky you are to be in this industry.” Lobo shares insights on how he built a career that positioned him to lead one of Medtech’s giant. He also explains why under his watch Stryker grew to become a “serial acquirer” of that has spent $14 billion to acquire 55 companies during his tenure as CEO.

Kevin Lobo

Chairman & CEO

Stryker

Kevin A. Lobo was appointed Chairman of the Board in July 2014 in addition to his responsibilities as Chief Executive Officer of Stryker Corporation, which he assumed in October 2012. Mr. Lobo joined Stryker in 2011, and had previously been Group President of Orthopaedics. Mr. Lobo serves on the Board of Directors for Parker Hannifin Corporation, the global leader in motion and control technologies. He is also a board member of the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), the Business Leaders for Michigan and United Way for Kalamazoo/Battle Creek regions, and is a member of the Business Roundtable and the Business Council. Mr. Lobo has a broad business career that includes executive positions in general management and finance. After holding finance positions with KPMG, Unilever and Kraft Canada he spent eight years with Rhone-Poulenc, including roles based in Europe as Worldwide Corporate Controller of the chemical spin-out, Rhodia, and General Manager of Specialty Phosphates EMEA. He then spent eight years at Johnson & Johnson, including CFO, McNeil Consumer Healthcare and Ortho Women’s Health & Urology, President of J&J Medical Products Canada and President of Ethicon Endo Surgery. Mr. Lobo’s extensive global business and leadership experience across multiple industries, including healthcare, enables him to provide valuable insight to the Board regarding the Company’s operations and the strategic planning initiatives necessary to meet the demands of the changing environment. As the sole member of management on our Board, he provides management’s business perspectives and the necessary link to our day-to-day operations.