Costa Rica’s medical device industry continues to attract international investment. On November 9, 2026, Johnson & Johnson MedTech inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in the country, a project expected to generate approximately 3,000 jobs over the coming years.

The facility marks a new chapter for the company in Costa Rica and expands the medical technology industry’s presence beyond the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM). According to the Ministry of Foreign Trade (COMEX), the plant covers 19,000 square meters and will be dedicated to manufacturing medical devices, with a particular focus on electrophysiology and orthopedic solutions.

An Investment Focused on Medical Technology

The new Johnson & Johnson MedTech facility is located in Grecia, in the province of Alajuela. Its opening brings additional specialized manufacturing capabilities to a region that continues to develop its industrial and technological activities.

Its main production areas include electrophysiology solutions, which are related to the study and treatment of disorders involving the heart’s electrical activity, as well as orthopedic products.

The company initially announced its plans to establish this operation in Costa Rica in September 2023. At the time, Johnson & Johnson MedTech stated that the project would expand its global manufacturing capacity and strengthen its supply chain. It also projected the potential creation of approximately 3,000 jobs over the following three to five years.

The inauguration marks the transition of this project into a new phase of operations.

Why Did the Company Choose Costa Rica?

According to COMEX, the company evaluated several locations before selecting Costa Rica. Factors influencing its decision included the country’s experience in the medical device industry, the availability of specialized talent, institutional stability, and an established network of suppliers connected to the sector.

Johnson & Johnson has maintained commercial operations in Costa Rica for approximately four decades. The new facility expands its presence and strengthens its participation in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the national economy.

The Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (PROCOMER) has also supported the company for more than three years in establishing and developing this operation, facilitating connections with local suppliers and human talent development programs.

According to data shared by PROCOMER, through four editions of the Human Talent Training Incentive, the company has supported training projects benefiting 192 people. These programs include areas such as precision mechanics, diagnostic catheter manufacturing, and specialized medical device technologies.

The Medical Industry’s Role in Costa Rica’s Economy

The opening of this facility adds to the growth of a sector that has become one of the country’s main drivers of exports.

According to figures presented by PROCOMER during the inauguration announcement, the precision equipment and medical device industry accounts for 47% of Costa Rica’s goods exports. It also includes more than 100 foreign investment companies and employs over 63,000 people.

This development has established Costa Rica as an important destination for international companies involved in manufacturing medical devices and healthcare technologies.

The presence of specialized companies, the development of technical talent, and the integration of domestic suppliers are among the conditions that have supported the expansion of this industry.

New Opportunities for Grecia and the Western Region

In addition to expanding the country’s industrial capacity, Johnson & Johnson MedTech’s new facility represents an opportunity for economic development in Grecia and surrounding communities.

The projected 3,000 jobs over the coming years could create new opportunities for professionals and specialized technical workers, while also strengthening relationships between international companies and Costa Rican suppliers.

The inauguration of this facility confirms the interest of the international medical industry in Costa Rica and reflects the growth of an economic activity that is increasingly expanding into different regions of the country.

Sources

• Ministry of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica (COMEX). “Johnson & Johnson MedTech Inaugurates Its Manufacturing Facility in Costa Rica and Projects 3,000 Jobs.” November 10, 2026.
• Ministry of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica (COMEX). “Johnson & Johnson MedTech to Establish a Facility in Costa Rica and Announces the Creation of 3,000 Jobs Outside the Greater Metropolitan Area.” September 25, 2023.
• Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (PROCOMER). Information on the facility’s inauguration, talent development, and the medical device industry’s growth. November 2026.
• Johnson & Johnson MedTech. “Manufacturing Jobs in Costa Rica.” Institutional information about the Grecia facility, its production areas, and employment opportunities.
• CINDE. “Medical Device Manufacturing in Costa Rica.” Industry data and export statistics for 2025.