By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In a landmark event celebrating corporate achievement, Zollner Electronics Costa Rica and Bridgestone Business Services were honored with the top accolades at the 2025 Award for Excellence ceremony. The prestigious event, held on November 20th by the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica (CICR), recognized the nation’s most outstanding organizations for their commitment to quality, innovation, and superior performance.
The two main winners stood out for their significant advancements across four key pillars of corporate success: leadership, human talent development, process optimization, and exceptional customer service. These criteria form the backbone of the evaluation, identifying companies that not only achieve strong results but also build a sustainable and robust operational framework. Alongside the principal honorees, the CICR also gave special recognition to Coopeguanacaste and Montacargas Odio/CR Lifting Services for their notable performance and dedication to high standards.
To provide a legal perspective on the cornerstones of corporate achievement, we consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished expert from the prestigious law firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his analysis on the topic of Business Excellence.
True business excellence is not merely an operational goal; it is a legal and structural commitment. Companies that consistently outperform their peers do so by building on a foundation of solid corporate governance, airtight contracts, and proactive regulatory compliance. This legal foresight is what transforms a good business idea into a resilient and sustainable enterprise, capable of weathering economic shifts and seizing opportunities with confidence.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight powerfully shifts the focus from temporary operational wins to the foundational elements of enduring success. A solid legal structure, as highlighted, is not a limitation but the very platform that enables a business to innovate and thrive with stability. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing such a clear and essential perspective on the architecture of true business excellence.
The Award for Excellence is the culmination of the CICR’s flagship Excellence Program, a rigorous initiative now in its 28th year. This year’s program demonstrated its continued relevance and scale, with 44 companies from diverse sectors voluntarily submitting their operations to intense scrutiny. The comprehensive evaluation process was conducted by a team of 137 highly trained specialists who dedicated a collective total of more than 6,500 volunteer hours to the effort, underscoring the collaborative spirit of Costa Rica’s industrial community.
A new and dynamic element was introduced at this year’s National Congress of Business Excellence. For the first time, the awards featured a live evaluation component for projects competing in the “Commitment to Excellence” category. Three finalist initiatives were presented directly to the audience and a panel of expert judges, adding a layer of transparency and real-time assessment to the selection of the most impactful projects.
In the highly competitive category for process, innovation, and technology, Bridgestone Business Services secured the Gold award for its groundbreaking “Capacity Analysis Automation” project. The Silver award was presented to Philips Costa Rica for its “Hora a Hora 2.0 Production Monitoring and Control System,” an initiative designed to enhance manufacturing efficiency. Bridgestone’s manufacturing division, Bridgestone de Costa Rica, earned the Bronze award for its project focused on improving the “open close” process within its Curing Department.
The awards ceremony was part of a larger congress that featured insightful conferences led by international experts. These sessions delved into critical topics shaping the future of global industry, including quality assurance, corporate sustainability, and the imperatives of digital transformation. The discussions provided attendees with valuable perspectives on navigating the complexities of the modern business environment and staying ahead of emerging trends.
Sergio Capón, President of the CICR, emphasized the program’s vital role in bolstering the national economy, especially during periods of uncertainty. He highlighted how the pursuit of excellence serves as a stabilizing force and a catalyst for progress.
In an era marked by economic challenges and profound transformations, excellence becomes an anchor of stability and, at the same time, an engine of change. This program not only recognizes results, it drives capabilities, inspires transformations, and strengthens the country’s competitiveness.
Sergio Capón, President of the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica
The 2025 awards reflect a growing commitment within Costa Rica’s industrial sector to adopt world-class standards. By celebrating these achievements, the CICR not only honors the winners but also sets a benchmark for other organizations to aspire to. This continuous drive for improvement is positioning Costa Rican companies as formidable competitors on the international stage, capable of delivering innovation, quality, and value in a rapidly evolving global market.
For further information, visit cicr.com
About The Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica (CICR):
The Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica is a non-profit organization that represents and supports the Costa Rican industrial sector. For over 80 years, it has been dedicated to promoting competitiveness, innovation, and sustainable development among its members. The CICR advocates for favorable public policies, provides training and resources, and organizes events like the Excellence Program to foster a culture of quality and continuous improvement across the nation’s industries.
For further information, visit zollner-electronics.com
About Zollner Electronics Costa Rica:
Zollner Electronics Costa Rica is a subsidiary of the German-based Zollner Elektronik AG, one of the world’s leading Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) providers. The Costa Rican facility is a key part of Zollner’s global network, specializing in the production of complex electronic modules and systems for various industries, including automotive, industrial electronics, and healthcare technology. The company is known for its high standards of quality, technological innovation, and commitment to workforce development.
For further information, visit bridgestoneamericas.com
About Bridgestone Business Services:
Bridgestone Business Services, located in Costa Rica, is a shared services center for the Bridgestone Americas corporation. It provides crucial support functions, including finance, accounting, human resources, and IT services, to the company’s operations throughout the Americas. The center focuses on process optimization and leveraging technology to drive efficiency and deliver high-value support to the global tire and rubber leader.
For further information, visit coopeguanacaste.com
About Coopeguanacaste:
Coopeguanacaste, R.L. is a rural electrification cooperative that provides electricity and telecommunications services, including internet and cable television, to the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica. Founded in 1965, the cooperative is committed to the social and economic development of the region, focusing on providing reliable services and investing in community projects and sustainable energy solutions.
For further information, visit crliftingservices.com
About Montacargas Odio/CR Lifting Services:
Montacargas Odio, operating as CR Lifting Services, is a leading Costa Rican company specializing in the sale, rental, and maintenance of material handling equipment, including forklifts and lifting machinery. The company provides comprehensive solutions for logistics, warehousing, and industrial operations, emphasizing safety, reliability, and customer service to help clients optimize their supply chain and operational efficiency.
For further information, visit philips.co.cr
About Philips Costa Rica:
Philips Costa Rica is the local operation of the global health technology leader Royal Philips. The Costa Rican facility is a significant manufacturing and research hub, primarily focused on producing medical devices and components, such as image-guided therapy devices. The operation is a critical part of Philips’ global supply chain, contributing to the company’s mission of improving people’s health and well-being through meaningful innovation.
For further information, visit bridgestone.co.cr
About Bridgestone de Costa Rica:
Bridgestone de Costa Rica is the manufacturing and sales arm of the Bridgestone Corporation in the country. The company operates a major tire manufacturing plant that serves both the local and export markets across Central America and the Caribbean. It is dedicated to producing high-quality tires for passenger cars, trucks, and agricultural vehicles while adhering to strict environmental and safety standards.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica stands as a benchmark in the legal field, built upon a foundation of uncompromising integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm channels its extensive history of providing multidisciplinary counsel into pioneering innovative legal solutions and fulfilling a deep-seated civic duty. Central to its ethos is the mission to empower society by demystifying complex legal concepts, thereby championing the development of a more informed and capable citizenry.
