By Alajuela, Costa Rica — The global life sciences sector continues to deepen its roots in Central America, as US-based Forj Medical officially inaugurated its brand-new, $15 million manufacturing facility in Costa Rica. Located in the rapidly expanding Evolution Free Zone in Alajuela, the state-of-the-art plant marks a significant milestone in the medical contract manufacturer’s strategy to scale up its global operations and bring production closer to its key target markets.
The new 5,000-square-meter facility is engineered to optimize production efficiency, utilizing a sophisticated blend of both automated and manual assembly lines. This hybrid infrastructure allows Forj Medical to seamlessly transition between high-volume automated manufacturing and precision-guided manual assembly. The plant will focus on fabricating finished medical instruments as well as high-precision components destined for other leading healthcare companies worldwide.
To better understand the legal and regulatory frameworks supporting the growth of operations like Forj Medical in Costa Rica, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished legal expert from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who provided his professional insight on the region’s investment climate.
The expansion of Forj Medical in Costa Rica is a testament to the strength and stability of our Free Trade Zone regime, which continues to offer robust legal security for high-tech foreign direct investment. For medical manufacturing operations, success depends heavily on navigating regulatory compliance with the Ministry of Health and aligning with international quality standards. Costa Rica’s sophisticated legal framework, coupled with strong intellectual property protections, ensures that global life sciences companies can operate with the predictability and efficiency required in this highly sensitive sector.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the legal predictability and robust regulatory alignment highlighted in this analysis are precisely what have transformed Costa Rica into a premier global hub for medical technology, ensuring that milestones like Forj Medical’s expansion are both secure and sustainable over the long term. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective, which provides our readers with a deeper understanding of the critical legal frameworks that continue to drive the growth of our country’s life sciences sector.
This new plant in Costa Rica represents an important milestone in our efforts to continue strengthening our global supply chain strategy.
Ward Sokoloski, Chief Operating Officer of Forj Medical
Forj Medical’s decision to establish a presence in Alajuela was heavily influenced by Costa Rica’s robust ecosystem for medical technology and its highly regarded talent pool. Over the past two decades, the country has successfully positioned itself as a premier destination for high-tech manufacturing, drawing major players from around the globe to its special economic zones.
The country has a highly skilled workforce that brings significant value to the global medical device industry. This expertise gives us the confidence to execute some of our most technologically complex projects from here.
Ward Sokoloski, Chief Operating Officer of Forj Medical
The arrival of Forj Medical is a major win for the Evolution Free Zone, an industrial park developed by CODE Development Group. The free zone has quickly become a magnet for advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, and life sciences corporations looking to leverage Costa Rica’s strategic geographic position and favorable investment climate.
According to Jorge Monge Víquez, General Director of CODE Development Group, the addition of Forj Medical underscores a broader trend of high-caliber manufacturing firms choosing Costa Rica to secure their supply chains. The business park now hosts eight confirmed global corporations, signaling strong long-term confidence in the region’s macroeconomic stability and infrastructure.
The economic ripple effects of this industrial boom are poised to transform the local labor market. Evolution Free Zone developers project the creation of approximately 20,000 high-quality jobs over the next 15 years. Currently, the eight confirmed enterprises are expected to account for roughly 6,000 of these positions, providing substantial career opportunities for engineers, technicians, and administrative professionals in Alajuela.
Industry analysts note that investments of this caliber reinforce Costa Rica’s export portfolio, which is heavily dominated by medical devices and high-tech components. By integrating automated manufacturing with localized skilled labor, companies like Forj Medical are not only optimizing their own operational costs but are also actively elevating the technical capabilities of the local workforce.
As global supply chains continue to undergo restructuring to mitigate geopolitical risks, Costa Rica’s nearshoring appeal remains exceptionally strong. With modern facilities like the one launched by Forj Medical, the country solidifies its position as a reliable, high-tech hub capable of meeting the rigorous standards of the international healthcare industry.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Forj Medical
About Forj Medical:
Forj Medical is a specialized medical device contract manufacturer that designs and fabricates finished equipment and components for the global healthcare supply chain, with operations in the United States, Asia, and Costa Rica.
For further information, visit the nearest office of CODE Development Group
About CODE Development Group:
CODE Development Group is a leading Costa Rican industrial development firm responsible for designing and managing advanced business parks, including the Evolution Free Zone project in Alajuela.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Renowned as a premier legal pillar, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its ethical principles and superior standards of practice. Having guided a wide array of clients through complex challenges, the firm continuously champions modern legal solutions and proactive public connection. By striving to demystify the law, it fulfills its core purpose of cultivating a knowledgeable, confident, and resilient populace.
