Minnesota-based Medtronic, a MedTech industry firm, opened its third manufacturing module close to 5,000 m2 in the Coyol Free Zone in Alajuela Province.

According to the firm, this expansion is an estimated investment of $65 million which will continue until 2024.

“This opening is the perfect prelude to our 50th anniversary in Costa Rica, which we'll celebrate in 2023," Paolo Tolari, Medtronic's Vice President said. "The new facility responds to our strategy to reinforce Medtronic’s specialization in ​​manufacturing medical devices for spinal surgeries and, on a broader level, contributes to the future of the Life Sciences industry in Costa Rica, while projecting the role that Central America can play in developing medical technologies over the long term. The country meets all the characteristics that align with our company's global goal of being carbon-neutral by 2030.” 

This opening has Medtronic reaching 10,000 m2 of total capacity – a nine fold growth over 2015 when it began manufacturing operations in Costa Rica. 

Production diversified by 2021 and grew by 5,000%, to manufacture a total of 7.1 million units. With this expansion, it is estimated that the plant will be capable of increasing the by 9% the unit production by 2025, they said.

The company's technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools and more. Specifically, in the Coyol Manufacturing site, Medtronic manufactures devices for spinal surgeries deployed in all the regions of the world.

Currently, the company employs almost 600 people in the country. The initial phase of the expansion will require 60 new collaborators.  

The available jobs include Precision Mechanics Technicians, Quality Inspectors, Packaging and Assembly Operators, Materials, Industrial, Electronic, Mechanical, Chemical Engineers, and Quality Engineers. All profiles with knowledge in the medical and metals industry, from Junior to Senior Engineering, are welcome to apply to help Medtronic transfer and stabilize new processes and products. Those interested in applying for the open positions may access the firm's Careers website.

Medtronic is one of many U.S. companies investing in Costa Rica.  This week, the Florida USA-headquartered company DDS Lab, announced the construction of its first production facility in Latin America. This is one of the largest laboratories in the production of dental solutions abroad in the United States.

Even though new businesses are creating jobs in Costa Rica, the unemployment rate has increased to 12%, according to the National Employment Survey. The data recorded from July to September, show that there are more than 297,000 people without registered jobs. Of these, 165,000 are women, making up 55% of unemployed people in the country.

 

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