Cirtec Medical continues investment in Costa Rica with major expansion of medical device manufacturing operations

Cirtec Medical expanding operations in Costa Rica: ©Cirtec Medical

Cirtec Medical is more than doubling its footprint in Costa Rica, a move the company says will significantly enhance its ability to deliver high-quality, end-to-end medical device solutions for customers worldwide. The strategic expansion, located in the Coyol Free Zone, adds over 50,000 square feet to Cirtec’s operations and positions the site as a key global hub for manufacturing in the neuromodulation, electrophysiology, interventional, and structural heart markets.

“Costa Rica has become a critical hub for high-quality, efficient medical device manufacturing, and this 50,000 plus square foot expansion allows us to offer our customers even greater value,” said Brian Highley, CEO of Cirtec Medical. “This growth enables us to support increased demand by accelerating time-to-market, optimizing costs and broadening our manufacturing offerings in the industry.”

The expansion brings with it enhanced manufacturing capabilities through increased vertical integration, including neurostimulation leads, extrusion, braiding, coil winding, and finished device assembly and packaging. It also allows the company to further streamline its global operations, managing the entire product lifecycle from U.S.-based research and development through to cost-effective production in Costa Rica.

Government officials and trade leaders praised the move as a testament to Costa Rica’s growing reputation as a prime destination for high-tech manufacturing and investment.

“Cirtec Medical’s decision to expand in Costa Rica demonstrates the maturity of our ecosystem and the country’s capacity to support complex industrial processes, with access to a highly specialized and skilled workforce,” said Laura López, General Manager of the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Agency.

Mitchell Matamoros, General Manager of Cirtec Costa Rica, added that the company is eager to scale up operations locally. “We are thrilled to continue growing in Costa Rica, where we have access to a highly skilled and educated workforce. This expansion enables us to meet the growing needs of our customers by offering shorter product development timelines and greater flexibility.”

The project is expected to generate new jobs and strengthen Costa Rica’s position as a global leader in the medical technology sector.

Offshoring medical device manufacturing: cost savings, efficiency, and global trade-offs

Experts say that offshoring the manufacturing of medical devices has become a strategic imperative for many companies aiming to balance innovation with affordability. As global demand for advanced medical technologies grows, manufacturers increasingly rely on overseas operations—particularly in regions like Costa Rica, Mexico, and parts of Asia—to streamline production, reduce costs, and maintain competitiveness.

The primary driver behind offshoring is cost reduction. Labor in countries like Costa Rica is significantly less expensive than in the U.S. or Europe, yet the workforce remains highly educated and technically proficient—especially in specialized sectors like medical technology. Combined with lean manufacturing processes and favorable trade environments, these regions offer companies a chance to produce complex devices more affordably without sacrificing quality.

Offshoring also allows for greater vertical integration. By co-locating related manufacturing functions, companies can eliminate inefficiencies in the supply chain, increase flexibility, and respond more quickly to market needs. This agility is crucial in fast-evolving fields such as neuromodulation or structural heart devices.

However, the broader effect of offshoring on health care systems is mixed. On one hand, cost savings at the manufacturing level can help reduce prices for hospitals and patients, particularly when it comes to high-volume, commodity-type devices. On the other hand, global supply chain dependencies—highlighted starkly during the COVID-19 pandemic—can introduce vulnerabilities, including product shortages or delays that ultimately affect patient care.

Despite these trade-offs, offshoring remains a widely used model. Experts say that as companies like Cirtec expand their overseas footprints, the challenge for health care systems and regulators will be to ensure that these cost savings translate into better access and affordability for patients—without compromising quality, safety, or supply chain resilience.