De Witte plans to retire following the appointment of a successor. Integra anticipates that appointment to come by the end of 2024. Additionally, the company appointed Stuart Essig, Integra chair, to the role of executive chair, effective immediately. As executive chair, Essig’s role entails driving shareholder value and ensuring an effective transition.
Essig became a non-executive chair in 2012 and previously served as Integra’s CEO from 1997 to 2012.
“We are grateful to Jan for his leadership and commitment to Integra and the role he has played in advancing our portfolio and building upon our legacy of innovation,” Essig said in a news release. “Jan’s personal decision to retire from Integra and return to Europe follows a leadership tenure marked by significant contributions to the company, including the evolution of our strategy and an expansion of core capabilities. We appreciate Jan’s commitment to a smooth transition and the execution of our roadmap for 2024 and beyond.”
The board initiated a formal search to replace De Witte, engaging Heidrick & Struggles to support its search. Integra said it wants a highly qualified candidate with a track record of industry-leading profitability and growth, plus the development of inspired, high-performing teams.
“I am incredibly proud of everything we have accomplished together here at Integra,” De Witte said. “I am grateful to both the board for their confidence and trust and the talented workforce at Integra for their ongoing passion and dedication to excellence as we endeavor to restore patients’ lives and set new standards of care.
“In the meantime, we are squarely focused on delivering our objectives for 2024 through operational execution, particularly in our manufacturing and supply chain.”
Recent developments at Integra
De Witte’s retirement follows an up-and-down time period for the company. The company had a plant shutdown in Boston last summer, followed by another shutdown and layoffs in Indiana this month.
In August, Integra received an FDA warning letter related to that Boston facility. The letter listed four violations by the company, labeling the company’s response for all four as “inadequate.”
On the flipside, Integra has been busy on the M&A front. At the end of last year, the company announced a deal to buy Johnson & Johnson’s Acclarent for $275 million in cash at closing.
That deal came after its 2022 acquisition of Surgical Innovation Associates.
