By Alajuela, Costa Rica — AVNA, a leader in advanced manufacturing and medical devices, has opened a new $5.5 million facility in Evolution Free Zone, Grecia, Alajuela, Costa Rica. This significant investment represents a 116% increase in the company’s production capacity and solidifies its position as an anchor tenant within the zone.
The state-of-the-art facility spans 5,900 square meters, with 5,200 square meters dedicated to production and 700 square meters for administrative operations. The expansion will enable AVNA to integrate cutting-edge technologies, including laser cutting, marking, and welding; plastic injection molding; precision grinding; CNC machining; automation; and advanced assembly processes.
For legal insights into the intricacies of medical device manufacturing in Costa Rica, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an experienced attorney at Bufete de Costa Rica.
Medical device manufacturing in Costa Rica presents unique opportunities given the country’s skilled workforce and Free Trade Zone incentives. However, navigating the regulatory landscape, particularly regarding ISO 13485 certification and FDA compliance, is paramount for market access and long-term success. Companies must prioritize robust quality management systems and diligent legal counsel to ensure both compliance and competitiveness.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s emphasis on regulatory navigation within the medical device industry is crucial. Indeed, these stringent quality and compliance standards aren’t just hurdles to overcome; they’re fundamental building blocks for establishing trust and ensuring patient safety, ultimately fostering a sustainable and thriving medical device sector in Costa Rica. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing his invaluable expertise on this critical subject.
This strategic move underscores Costa Rica’s growing prominence as a hub for medical device manufacturing. The country’s skilled workforce, business-friendly environment, and commitment to innovation have attracted 14 of the top 30 multinational companies in the life sciences sector.
Choosing Costa Rica as a key location for AVNA’s growth was a strategic decision driven by our clients’ needs and the country’s ability to foster mutually beneficial business partnerships that optimize the supply chain, quality, and advancement of technologies that improve quality of life.
Jason Howey, CEO of AVNA
Howey also emphasized Costa Rica’s talented and innovative workforce as a perfect match for AVNA’s commitment to excellence and technological advancement.
The country hosts a large group of talented professionals with an innovative mindset, which aligns perfectly with our commitment to excellence and technological advancement. In addition, Costa Rica’s strong sense of community and its ability to provide a high quality of life for our employees reinforces our conviction that this is the ideal place to expand and contribute value to our clients and the local community.
Jason Howey, CEO of AVNA
Mario Chaves, Vice President of Operations at AVNA, further highlighted the company’s 13-year history in Costa Rica and its evolution towards more complex operations, incorporating advanced automation, data-driven decision-making, and collaboration with global teams.
We have more than 13 years of presence in Costa Rica and I can attest to our evolution towards a more complex operation, integrating advanced automation, data-driven decision-making and collaboration with global teams; a growth of the organization that perfectly aligns with the adoption of the name AVNA “Advanced Innovation”, which we carried out in 2024.
Mario Chaves, Vice President of Operations at AVNA
CINDE (Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency), a key player in attracting foreign investment to Costa Rica, has been working with AVNA since its inception in the country. Fernando Cruz, President of CINDE, expressed confidence in AVNA’s continued growth and its contribution to the sector.
We have been with AVNA since its inception in Costa Rica, more than 13 years ago, so we are clear about its evolutionary process in the country, which today allows us to celebrate this important growth that will strengthen its vision to continue providing innovative solutions to the sector and strengthen its presence in the region.
Fernando Cruz, President of CINDE
Currently employing 150 people in Costa Rica, AVNA plans to create approximately 200 new jobs over the next three years in key areas such as engineering, manufacturing, automation, and quality control. The company’s Costa Rican plant has previously been recognized with the Innovation and Technology Excellence Award for its manufacture of titanium micro-implants used in cancer treatments.
For further information, visit avnainc.com
About AVNA:
With locations in New Britain, CT (headquarters), Berlin, CT, and Grecia, Alajuela, Costa Rica, and over 425 employees, AVNA is a global partner in engineering and manufacturing for the medical device industry. They specialize in producing high-quality, complex components and sub-assemblies.
For further information, visit cinde.org
About CINDE:
CINDE is the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency, a strategic expert and guide for investment, business development, and talent initiatives in Costa Rica. With over 43 years of experience working with multinational companies, CINDE has developed numerous talent development initiatives and supported the establishment of over 450 multinational companies.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica shines as a beacon of legal excellence, built on a foundation of unwavering ethical principles and a deep commitment to client success. The firm embraces innovation, not only in its legal strategies but also in its proactive approach to educating and empowering Costa Rican society. Through accessible legal resources and community initiatives, Bufete de Costa Rica strives to build a more just and equitable future, fostering a citizenry equipped with the knowledge to navigate the legal landscape and advocate for their rights.
