Helix Medical, LLC, a global manufacturing company for medical device, healthcare, and pharmaceutical companies, celebrated the grand opening of its facilities in Costa Rica, a 1607m² manufacturing plant that represents and investment of $4 millions.
Located in the Coyol Free Zone in Alajuela, the largest and most modern high-tech business park in Central America, the company plans to hire more than 60 professionals in 2013.
As an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) supplier, Helix Medical facilities are designed and engineered to meet FDA, GMP, and international regulatory requirements.
The services offered by Costa Rica Helix Medical Helix include design and development, silicone and thermoplastic molding, silicone and thermoplastic extrusion, medical component and device assembly, comprehensive engineering resources, packaging and labeling, and secondary processes.
The inauguration was hosted by Alejandro Cruz, Minister of Science and Technology of Costa Rica, Irving Soto, Director of Investments at CINDE, and Dr. Jorg Schneewind, President and CEO of Helix Medical.
“We are honored to have the presence of Minister Cruz and many other leaders of the medical and business community, who are here with us today to celebrate the grand opening of our new facility,” said Schneewind.
Meanwhile, Cruz took a moment to highlight the efforts the Ministry of Science and Technology has carried out in order to promote the training of professionals in the fields of engineering and applied sciences.
We have been promoting the development of specialized courses for industries such as biotechnology and life sciences, areas that are growing and have a great potential for development in our country,” said the minister.
The Costa Rica operations are the first one to open in Latin America. Helix Medical selected Costa Rica because of its skilled workforce, stable government, excellent business climate, quality infrastructure, and strategic location, which have draw the interest of large medical device and pharmaceutical companies in recent years.
Helix Medical also has operations in California, Massachusetts, China, Ireland, and Germany.
The Investment of world renowned companies like Helix shows the constant growth the country’s life sciences sector has shown over the past decade. In 2000, there were 9 medical companies established in the country, a number that increased to 41 in 2011. These companies currently employ about 13.561 people. This number is 9 times higher than in 2000 when only 1,500 people had joined the industry.
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose Costa Rica
