New Harland Medical Systems Plant in Costa Rica Strengthens Country’s Leadership in the Manufacturing of Medical Devices

Minnesota-based life sciences and medical technology company Harland Medical Systems inaugurated its first manufacturing facility in Latin America, strengthening Costa Rica’s reputation as an advanced manufacturing hub for medical devices.

Costa Rica has become a global leader in the manufacturing and export of precision medical technologies and instruments, with medical devices representing nearly 50% of the country’s total goods exports in recent years. In this context, Harland Medical Systems announced the opening of its new operations center in The Green Park, Coyol, Alajuela.

“Choosing Costa Rica as a new operations center was a highly calculated move. Costa Rica has grown over the years to become a global powerhouse in medical device manufacturing innovation, known for its strong and specialized workforce, local stability, and free trade zones that are well-organized,” says Aaron Anderson, Global Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Harland Medical Systems.

A Factory Dedicated to Sophisticated Medical Manufacturing Services

The new facility encompasses more than 1,200 square meters. It will initially offer the following three service lines: hydrophilic coating of medical components (Coating Services), local distribution of coating materials, and regional technical assistance for the company’s specialized coating machines.

Hydrophilic coatings are of critical importance in many modern medical devices. By making a device “slippery when wet,” these coatings dramatically reduce friction during many medical procedures and are particularly important in fields like cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology, urology, and orthopedics, where minimally invasive procedures are most prevalent.

Due to its operational capabilities, the Costa Rica factory is optimized for high-volume, rapid turnaround manufacturing. In addition to allowing for faster response times for existing major clients, many of whom already operate within the medical device clusters in Costa Rica, this strategic positioning also offers local technical assistance and shorter lead times, making for greater production efficiency, less need for international shipping of materials and components, and reduced operational costs for its partners.

The specialized coatings services provided by Harland Medical Systems will complete and upgrade Costa Rica’s local medical technology industry. So far, the existing industry has either imported the coating services it requires or outsourced them to other external laboratories and companies.

“The arrival of Harland Medical has a very special significance, as it is the first company to offer specialized hydrophilic coating services in Costa Rica to the country’s medical industry ecosystem,” said Lila Johnson, Director of Foreign Trade at Costa Rica’s Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (Procomer).

The local medical device industry hosts over 90 multinational companies, including global leaders such as Boston Scientific, Abbott, and Medtronic. These companies require a broad, sophisticated set of services for every aspect of the design, production, assembly, testing, and certification of their products, with a highly developed supply chain capable of providing components and services as diverse as cleanrooms, sterilization, testing, packaging, and the like. The arrival of Harland Medical Systems fills a long-standing gap in the medical device value chain, making the country’s industry an even more attractive and integrated option for international investment.

Harland Medical Systems is also committed to sustainability and integration with local producers and skilled professionals in the region. As part of its activities, Harland will implement a recycling program and responsible chemical waste management practices that comply with Costa Rica’s local environmental and industry regulations.

The country has a reputation as a global leader in sustainability, with environmental policies that are among the most progressive in the world and a production sector that uses more than 98% renewable energy sources. Harland’s commitments are perfectly in line with the country’s development and environmental agenda.

By integrating with the regional economy, focusing on the development of local suppliers and the hiring of specialized local talent, and adopting an environmentally friendly approach to production, Harland’s Costa Rica operations will drive economic development, growth of local SMEs in the life sciences sector, and reduced environmental impact.

Harland Medical Systems: Growth and the Second Phase

The new operations center in Costa Rica will also be key to the company’s next steps, with Harland Medical Systems set to offer additional services to the region in the near future. The next phase of the project will include the creation of laboratory and testing services, which will enable the company to provide customers with in-country testing, validation, and quality assurance of coated medical devices.

In addition to being an essential service for many international regulatory requirements, these capabilities will also further strengthen Costa Rica’s position as a full-service medical manufacturing destination, cutting down on the need to outsource to foreign laboratories and speeding up time-to-market for innovative devices and new technologies. In turn, this will allow manufacturers to prototype and test their products more quickly and efficiently, supporting product development and innovation in the medical device sector.

Costa Rica: A Medical Device Manufacturing Hub

Costa Rica has rapidly evolved to become one of the most advanced, innovation-driven, and export-oriented medical device industries in Latin America and, in fact, in the world. The country is the second-largest exporter of medical devices among American nations, surpassed only by the United States.

This has been achieved with a combination of advantages such as a highly qualified workforce with education and experience in engineering and life sciences, a free trade zone regime offering significant tax advantages and logistical benefits, a stable political and regulatory environment with a strong legal framework for foreign investment, a proximity to major medical technology markets such as the US, and a modern infrastructure that allows for efficient logistics through ports like Limón and Caldera.

Harland Medical Systems’ arrival in Costa Rica is a significant new investment in the industry and further proof that the country remains a magnet for multinationals that are looking for a sustainable, competitive, and innovation-led location for their production facilities. In this case, not only is Costa Rica’s location important, but also its sector-specific assets, which offer sophisticated capabilities and a strong ecosystem that can fully support companies like Harland Medical Systems as they expand operations and grow in their local and international markets.

A New Era of Medical Innovation in Costa Rica

Harland Medical Systems’ decision to open its first manufacturing plant in Latin America in Costa Rica signals a commitment to the country and its important role in the life sciences ecosystem. In addition to creating jobs and other benefits to the local economy, Harland’s presence will help Costa Rican manufacturers improve their efficiency, compliance, and product quality, while strengthening the global competitiveness of the country’s entire industry.

As medical technology continues to progress towards even less invasive procedures and a focus on improved patient care and comfort, solutions such as hydrophilic coatings and advanced materials will continue to play a critical role. Harland Medical Systems’ new operations center in Costa Rica will not only help ensure that the country remains at the forefront of these emerging technologies, but also play a role in the innovation and future of the medical technology industry itself.