Intricons to begin production of sensor-driven medical devices in Costa Rica
ST. PAUL, Minn. (Aug. 10, 2023) – Intricon announced its plans to open the first facility in Costa Rica dedicated to the development and manufacturing of medical devices that incorporate microelectronics, biosensors, and electromagnetic navigation (EMN) sensors. The company, based in Minnesota with six other locations worldwide, will provide advanced circuit board and surface-mount assembly, custom molding, device assembly, and packaging for medical device original equipment manufacturers.
The Intricon facility, scheduled to open in 2024, will be in the Evolution Free Zone, Grecia, which is Costa Rica’s new extension to its growing medical device infrastructure. It will house world-class manufacturing technology and equipment in 35,000 square feet with adjacent options to grow to over 150,000 square feet. Costa Rica expands Intricon’s global footprint; the company will have 280,000 square feet across seven strategic locations in four countries, diversifying its supply chain and global team to produce sensor-driven medical devices as time and cost-efficiently as possible.
“Companies need the increased capacity and deep expertise Intricon brings to help them meet the growing demand for sensor-driven devices as non-invasive, data-driven healthcare becomes a reality,” said Scott Longval, Intricon chief executive officer. “When it comes to these devices, Intricon has done it all and seen it all, so we can reduce and eliminate risk while accelerating commercialization.”
One of the first key hires at Intricon Costa Rica is Jorge Herrera, site manager, to lead design and construction of its project. Herrera has been integral in building out operations in Costa Rica for major technology and medical device companies.
Intricon has also added Sofia Vargas, business development manager, who joins the company from CINDE, the private investment promotion agency of Costa Rica that guided Intricon through the site selection process. Vargas has extensive experience working with some of the world’s largest medical device companies to enter Costa Rica and connect them through partnerships and collaborations to further grow their businesses and serve customers.
In the latter half of 2024, Intricon will add production jobs and expects to eventually employ up to 150 people at the new site, who will become part of its existing global team with deep expertise and exclusive focus on sensor-driven devices for medical applications. According to Longval, the recently announced US-Costa Rica partnership around the Chips Act, intended to improve supply chain resiliency, further underscores the importance of Intricon’s entrance into the region.
Manuel Tovar, the Minister of Foreign Trade in Costa Rica, highlighted, “In recent years, medical devices have become our main export product, making the country a regional leader and a key ally for companies of the life sciences sector. Today, Intricon, a company dedicated to the development of sensor-driven medical devices, joins this dynamic ecosystem of companies of this sector and announces their entry into one of the most innovative parks of Costa Rica, in 2024. We feel extremely proud about this great news and about providing, together with leading companies like Intricon, positive health outcomes to thousands of people worldwide.”
About Intricon
For four decades, Intricon has improved and extended people’s lives by developing and manufacturing sensor-driven micromedical devices. Intricon partners with medical device companies, providing unique microelectronic expertise — including miniature molding through final assembly – and regulatory guidance, supply chain optimization, and scalable production, exclusively for the medical market. Intricon brings the world’s smallest, smartest new and next-generation devices to life.