In a highly competitive industrial environment, efficient supply chains and skilled local suppliers are key to scaling operations and serving global markets. At Coyol Free Zone, this vision comes to life through strategic initiatives that strengthen productive linkages, raise operational standards, and generate high-value opportunities for companies and Costa Rican talent.

Recognized as the leading Free Zone in Costa Rica for Medical Devices exports, Coyol Free Zone accounts for over 50% of the country’s exports in this sector and 35% under the Free Zone Regime, with annual sales exceeding US$4.440 million. This growth is supported by a robust network of national suppliers successfully integrated into the value chains of world-class companies operating in the Park.

Carlos Wong, Managing Director of Coyol Free Zone, highlights that these linkages drive benefits such as “high quality standards, greater volume and quantity of business, innovation and greater competitiveness, as well as diversification of products for export and formal employment” for both local companies and the country.

Coyol Impulsa: Showcasing National Excellence

One of the key pillars for strengthening these linkages is Coyol Impulsa, a program first launched in 2021 to recognize top national suppliers that support the operations of companies established in Coyol Free Zone. Through strict evaluation criteria such as quality, sustainability, and innovation, this initiative promotes the continuous development of technical and operational capabilities in the local productive sector.

In its second edition, held in 2024, Coyol Impulsa received 39 applications: 16 suppliers nominated by 11 installed companies and 23 self-nominated applicants. Fifteen suppliers were named finalists, and six received awards in different categories:

  • Large Company: CAPRIS, for its focus on digitalization, systems integration, and operational efficiency.
  • Small Company: FORTECH, with 27 years of experience in recycling and circular economy solutions.
  • Specialized Manufacturing: ATEMISA Precisión, manufacturer of precision components for regulated industries such as Medical Devices and aerospace.
  • Special Processes: SEGEX, a SEL-licensed provider of logistics and value-added services.
  • Packaging: Etiprés, specialized in labels and certified under social responsibility standards.
  • On-site International Supplier: SMC Ltd., a global company employing over 285 people at Coyol Free Zone, offering comprehensive Medical Device manufacturing solutions.

Honorary mentions were also awarded to Grupo Vargas, Poliart, and Steris for their contributions to management systems, innovation, and operational excellence. These recognitions reaffirm the strategic role of Costa Rican suppliers in a highly specialized and compliance-driven industry.

Integrated Logistics: On-site Suppliers

Having suppliers on-site allows companies to optimize supply chains, reduce delivery times, and ensure a more continuous supply. This model is especially valuable for industries operating under just-in-time models, such as the Medical Devices sector.

Companies like SMC Ltd. manufacture and package directly from Coyol Free Zone, enabling products to be shipped internationally without intermediaries. Other on-site providers offer immediate services such as sterilization, calibration, internal logistics, among others, which allows installed companies to focus on their core operations with agile and specialized technical support.

Tangible Impact for the Country

The integration of national suppliers into sophisticated value chains such as those at Coyol Free Zone not only boosts the competitiveness of companies but also delivers concrete benefits to Costa Rica’s economy. According to PROCOMER data, nearly 60% of Free Zone exporters had at least one local supplier in their operations in 2022. These linkages promote transfer of knowledge, technification of processes, and the creation of quality employment.

Specifically, the Medical Devices sector, where Coyol Free Zone is a global benchmark, accounted for 27% of local purchases made by companies under the Free Zone Regime in 2022. This positioning is also reflected in national exports, with this segment reaching US$2.549 million in the first four months of 2024.

Stories that Inspire

Supplier companies such as ATEMISA Precisión and FORTECH illustrate how engagement with companies in Coyol Free Zone drives business, technical, and human development. ATEMISA, founded by a Costa Rican mechanical technician, now exclusively serves the Medical Devices sector, operating with high-precision processes and advanced technology. FORTECH adapted its recycling model to deliver specialized sanitizing chemical solutions for cleanrooms, generating 55 direct jobs and 15 indirect jobs in the process.

These success stories show how the environment provided by Coyol Free Zone enables local companies to scale up, diversify their value proposition, and actively participate in global supply chains.

A Model that Multiplies Opportunities

Through programs like Coyol Impulsa and the promotion of on-site suppliers, Coyol Free Zone continues to strengthen a productive linkage network that enhances operational efficiency, fosters innovation, and generates shared value. This model has proven to be an effective platform for connecting local companies with global opportunities, further establishing the Park as a benchmark for sustainable and competitive industrial development in the Life Sciences sector.