Coyol Free Zone produces and exports more than 600 million contact lenses per year.
- About 1 billion people have visual complications, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Alajuela, October 8, 2024. The human resource is one of the main components, helping CooperVision in Coyol Free Zone to manufacture more than 600 million contact lenses a year, improving the way people see every day.
According to WHO data, around 1 billion people worldwide have avoidable visual complications. Visual impairment impacts people of all ages, mainly those over 50 years old, who are affected at the same time in their daily tasks: social relationships, education and job opportunities.
On the occasion of World Sight Day, which was celebrated this Thursday, October 10, Coyol Free Zone in alliance with the company Coopervision reiterates the importance of taking care of eye health and thus ensure the quality of life of people.
Erick Elizondo, Site Director of CooperVision en Costa Rica, detailed that the company’s plant located in Coyol Free Zone, “plays an important role in its global product portfolio, mainly manufacturing daily replacement silicone hydrogel contact lenses.” According to Elizondo, these spherical, multifocal and toric lenses correct the most common vision problems: Myopia, Hyperopia, Presbyopia and Astigmatism. “Like our facilities, these contact lenses are innovative, with state-of-the-art designs and materials that promote eye health, all-day comfort and excellent vision for wearers.”
CooperVision is also distinguished by its long-term commitment to sustainability. “We created the world’s first net neutral contact lens by sourcing materials responsibly; we also build and operate our facilities, such as our site in Costa Rica, in a sustainable manner,” commented the company representative.
The world leader in the contact lens industry, from its plant in Costa Rica, CooperVisión has been able to produce up to 2 million contact lenses in a 24-hour period. In addition, the company has pioneered global sustainability programs aimed at reducing its environmental footprint. One of these programs, through its partnership with Plastic Bank, simultaneously benefits underprivileged communities, including the provision of vision screenings, something that is completely aligned with its mission.
“Coyol Free Zone offers the ideal conditions for companies like CooperVision to develop quality products with the best technology that will allow people around the world to enjoy clear and comfortable vision,” said Carlos Wong, Managing Director of CODE Development Group, co-developer of Coyol Free Zone. “Hosting companies like CooperVision, specialized in high quality products, commits us even more to have the best talent and to provide facilities that meet world-class parameters.”
Quality of Talent
CooperVision chose Coyol Free Zone to establish its manufacturing plant in Costa Rica in 2016, encouraged by the quality of the talent found in the country, recognized for its strong work ethic, technical skills and commitment to excellence, which guarantees high quality production and precision in each process.
Elizondo detailed that the Costa Rican headquarters currently employs more than 1,100 people (51% female, 49% male) and they plan to continue hiring talent in the short, medium and long term based on overall sales growth driven by innovative contact lens offerings. “CooperVision genuinely cares about the well-being of its associates and, with that in mind, has developed a series of benefits designed to ensure the satisfaction, health and retention of its workforce, reflecting a commitment to the overall well-being of our associates to ensure not only their professional development, but also their quality of life in and out of the workplace.”
CooperVision currently has a production facility totaling 200,000 square meters, doubling its production capacity since it began operations in Coyol Free Zone 8 years ago. This includes two clean manufacturing rooms and ample office space.
About Coyol Free Zone
Coyol Free Zone is the leading medical device export park in Costa Rica, with exports of over US$2 billion per year, which is equivalent to 30% of the exports of the manufacturing segment of the country’s Free Zone Regime.
Coyol Free Zone was designated as the Best Free Zone in the Americas, and as Industrial Champions of the Americas by fDI Intelligence in 2023.
It is also the Best Free Zone in Latin America and the Caribbean for the fourth consecutive year, the Most Innovative Free Zone of the Year, and the Best Business Center for Life Sciences and Advanced Manufacturing, according to The European magazine.