Zollner Elektronik AG is one of the world’s Top 15 leading Electronic Manufacturing & Engineering Services (EMS) companies and the No.1 in Germany, with over $1 billion in annual sales.

Headquartered in Zandt, Bayern, Germany and founded by Manfred Zollner in 1965, Zollner runs over 17 global locations including Germany, Hungary, Romania, China, Tunisia, the USA and Switzerland. All with a thorough commitment to excellence which is validated by certifications in quality, environment, occupational safety and information security including ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/TS 16949, OHSAS 18001, EN 9100.

These facilities provide a flexible, seamless, and vertically-integrated solution. State-of-the-art capabilities include electronics & electro-mechanical assembly, metal fabrication & finishing, plastic-molded & inductive components, and systems integration services. These services are performed for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) faced with the ever increasing challenges to engineer & design with the latest technologies available, provide robust & reliable products, and offer the after-market support to satisfy all of their customer’s needs.

Through the support of these world-class plants, Zollner offers a global presence to shorten time-to-market, lower costs, and provide the knowledge & support client companies such as Bosch, Siemens, IBM, ArvinMeritor and Samsung rely on to be competitive in today’s marketplace.

Zollner passed up Southeastern US and Mexico for Costa Rica. “There were competitive options for Zollner to expand in Latin America however we chose Costa Rica for its stability, educational system, manufacturing resources, and strategic location.” stated Markus Aschenbrenner, CEO of Zollner Electronics, Inc. “We are excited about the potential Costa Rica has to offer”.

Zollner 5,000 m2 new state of the art Manufacturing & Engineering Services facility in Cartago, Costa Rica is its first expansion in Latin America and started operations in October 2014. It provides manufacturing and technical support services and is aimed at introducing Zollner’s broad portfolio of services & capabilities to enhance the customer service to Customers in North America (US, MX, CN) by leveraging through CAFTA and utilizing the Tax incentive regime the country offers.

Costa Rica has become a hub for medical device manufacturers and Zollner intends to leverage local plastics and metal suppliers that already serve the medical industry in the country to increase efficiencies. The country´s strategic location in the middle of the Americas appealed to Zollner as well. With ports in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean reaching either Miami or Los Angeles in 8 to 12 days, Zollner can also easily pursue the South American market in the future.

Boston Scientific is dedicated to transforming lives through innovative medical solutions that improve the health of patients around the world. It is a world leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of minimally invasive medical devices used to diagnose and treat conditions in a variety of medical fields, with an emphasis on Cardiovascular, Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM), Women’s Health, Urology, Endoscopy, Electrophysiology, Neuromodulation, and Pain Management products. The company has more than 15,000 patents issued, a +13,000 product portfolio, and reached US$7.14 billion in revenue in 2013.

With presence in over 100 countries in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, and 12 manufacturing facilities globally, Boston Scientific continues to extending its innovations into new geographies and high-growth adjacency markets.

The decision to start operations in Costa Rica was a result of a detailed analysis comparing and assessing several countries. The factors considered were: geographic location, cost, political stability, quality, and talent. Costa Rica´s skilled, well-educated population played an important role in the decision which was made in 2003.

The company started operations about a year later with 139 people at Global Park in Heredia and has had an on-going growth ever since. It did its first Heredia expansion in 2005 and by 2009, it opened a second manufacturing plant (342,000 sq.ft) in Coyol, Alajuela.

This facility was recognized as the country’s first sustainable building (LEED -CI Silver certified) but most importantly hosted the transfer of a Class III cardiovascular device. The company reached over 2.200 employees between the two facilities.

Today, Boston Scientific continues to operate the two plants: Boston Scientific Heredia dedicated to Cardiovascular devices, and Boston Scientific Coyol focused on Endoscopy and Urology applications. 100% of the company´s polypectomy snares and gastrointestinal biopsy forceps are made in Costa Rica.

“Costa Rica has proven to be a very competitive site for Boston Scientific. Key drivers for our success in Costa Rica include our senior management’s full support; minimal bureaucracy; broad organizational commitment; and CINDE’s and the government support and close working relationship” said Don Robinson, VP Operations Strategy.

A proven success, with over $130 million invested in Costa Rica, has provided Boston Scientific with the needed trust to expand operations and continue to diversify manufacturing products and operations for various divisions.

Transforming steel wire and applying advanced coating know-how. That is what Bekaert does flawlessly.

Headquartered in Belgium, the company has been improving both the bulk and surface properties of steel wire products for over 130 years to become a leading business in this industry with more than €4 billion in annual sales. Thanks to Bekaert’s technological support and global presence in EMEA, North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific, customers can benefit from a strong commitment to local service, delivered by over 27,000 employees worldwide.

A combination of technological leadership in wire transformation of over 2.8 tons per year, and focus on innovation; provides customers with a broad range of high technological products and solutions for various sectors such as automotive, construction, energy and utilities, agriculture, consumer goods, equipment and basic materials.

Bekaert was looking to expand its presence in Central America to better serve its markets there. It found a great hub in ArcelorMittal´s steel wire plant in Costa Rica and acquired 73% of the shares of this entity. In August 2014, the company also inaugurated a new state-of-the-art facility in Orotina, about 40 minutes from San Jose, dedicated to producing Dramix® which is one of Bekaert´s most innovative products for concrete reinforcement.

Bekaert was able to have this new operation fully functional in less than half a year. Although the country has strict environmental regulations, the company managed to ensure full compliance. Valuable and open support from the local government or municipality, as well as other institutions, allowed them to complete all installation processes and permits in a record 3-month time.

Bekaert also found talent acquisition locally to be an easy process. “Costa Rica has an excellent educational system, our recruitment process has been very successful. We have found good engineers in Orotina and Esparza and have seen that Costa Ricans have a great attitude, they are very committed and willing to learn” said Mr. Simon Pineda, General Manager for Central America & Caribbean.

The company´s location, which is less than 20 minutes from Caldera Port in the Pacific, makes its logistics processes easier, cost-competitive and provides quick access to its core markets. "Our relationship with the port authorities is great, it´s actually one of the best port services we´ve ever encountered" added Mr. Pineda.

Orotina is also located outside of the Greater Metropolitan Area, which provides enhanced tax incentives to companies establishing in those areas. Bekaert is able to leverage those benefits and perceives them as a good sign of the open and friendly business environment that Costa Rica has to offer.

For more information on Bekaert: www.bekaert.com

Alca Trading Corp is the world’s largest supplier of aseptic banana puree among other food specialties including juices, tropical fruit purees, concentrates, frozen and IQF products.

Although its primary headquarters are in Miami, Florida, the company operates under three key facilities and brands. Banalight in Ecuador, established in 1993 is currently the largest producer and exporter of aseptic banana pure in that country and also produces aseptic mango puree as well as special products upon request. Its sister plant in Guatemala operating under Tropilight was created in 2007 and, in addition to tropical purees, produces frozen and IQF tropical fruits.

Its latest addition was Frutilight in 2013, the Costa Rican plant or as it’s internally called: the company´s “2.0 facility”. This state-of-the-art plant in Siquirres, near the Caribbean Coast, shelters the latest European and American technology in food processing. It also embeds all the know-how from building its two other facilities for ideal production design and layout. A sophisticated aseptic line provides a 70,000 metric tons capacity per year for banana and mango purees and pineapple juices.

In addition to its FDA (US Foods & Drug Administration) and AIJN (European Fruit juice Association) compliance, this facility also operates with certifications for FSSC 22000, HACCP, ISO 22000 and 14001, SFG IRMA, Kosher, M HALAL, Rain Forest Alliance, BCS OKO Garantie, JAS BCS OKO Garantie, USDA Organic, Canada Organic, Bio Suisse Approved, BASC and C-TPAT.

This challenging task is not only impressive in itself. Most striking was the 6 month timeframe in which the company was able to achieve these 16 seals that attest to its thorough commitment to quality. It also confirms one of the reasons why Alca Trading chose Costa Rica as its third operational hub: a highly skilled labor force that learns quickly and is capable of performing under the most rigorous of working environments.

Alca Trading wanted to diversify its locations and balance its operations for a quicker response to market. Costa Rica was a natural fit not only because of its great access to premium produce grown locally, but also because of its ideal location and beneficial logistics costs which provide easy access to the Caribbean from where it serves the EU, USA and Canada, as well as South America.

The company was able to make a country decision, build its plant and have it fully operational, with 16 certifications included, in only one year. By establishing a clear project roadmap, complying with local requirements and permits, and closely collaborating with local government at a county or municipality level, Alca was able to meet its time goals and bust any “red tape” myths.

Alca now plans to expand its Frutilight operation to incorporate a frozen food line and IQF in the near future, a natural addition to its current food specialty line which caters to the most world renowned brands…and Alca will continue to be their top secret ingredient!