WISCREPORT.COM - Governor Jim Doyle joined representatives from Joerns Healthcare, a leading manufacturer in products and services for health care providers, as they announced their global headquarters will be located in Stevens Point.

Stevens Point is located in Central Wisconsin along the I-39 corridor. There are also many other roadways intersecting at Portage County's largest community, including highways 10, 51, 54 and 66.

"Wisconsin is home to so many of the world's leading companies," Governor Doyle said.

"From advanced manufacturing, to biomedical research and development, to information and health care technology, our state is a model for economic development and innovation", Governor Doyle pointed out.

"Today, I'm pleased to join Joerns Healthcare as they establish their headquarters in Stevens Point", Wisconsin's Governor continued.

The company praised Wisconsin's first-rate business climate and Governor Doyle's leadership in health care.

"The business climate Governor Jim Doyle has helped build in Wisconsin and his designation of health care as a key focus is directly responsible for our decision to establish Joerns Healthcare global headquarters in Stevens Point rather than one of our other locations," said Mark Ludwig, president and CEO of Joerns Healthcare.

More than half of Joerns Healthcare's 500 worldwide jobs are located in Stevens Point. Over the last five years, the company has been able to create up to 20 jobs a year in Stevens Point.

Joerns has operations across the United States, as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, and has key partners in Germany, Norway, Australia and New Zealand.

The company says Joerns Healthcare is establishing its global headquarters in Stevens Point because of the company's history in the area dating back to 1889.

The announcement also marks the company's multi-million dollar acquisition of TriLine Medical - a producer of wound management products.

On top of many other outstanding employers, Stevens Point also is the home of the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point campus.