MCS Targets 30% Cost Savings with Strategic Costa Rica Expansion
San Jose, Friday, 27 February 2026.
Medical Component Specialists is establishing a high-tech facility in Costa Rica, targeting a 30% reduction in manufacturing costs for medical device OEMs. With medical devices now constituting half of Costa Rica’s exports, this expansion capitalizes on critical nearshoring trends to service a global outsourced manufacturing market projected to reach $148 billion by 2033.
Operational Scale and Strategic Location
Scheduled to open in the summer of 2026, the new manufacturing hub is situated in a free trade zone outside Orotina, strategically located near the country’s primary port to facilitate logistics [1]. The 1,486-square-meter facility is designed for rapid scalability; while initial operations will commence with five custom grinding centers, MCS has engineered the site to accommodate an expansion of 45 additional centers [1]. This infrastructure investment is central to the company’s objective of delivering the targeted 30% cost savings for medical device manufacturers [1].
Immediate Capacity and Compliance
The facility’s production capacity is already allocated to support major industry players. Upon launch, the site will support Lubrizol with production volumes of up to 20,000 units per month, utilizing a fully automated cleaning system designed for both metals and plastics [1]. Regarding regulatory standards, MCS anticipates achieving ISO 13485 validation for the Costa Rica facility by the end of the second quarter of 2026, a critical compliance milestone expected to be finalized within the next four months [1].
Capitalizing on the Nearshoring Boom
The expansion aligns with a significant shift in the global supply chain, as manufacturers increasingly favor nearshoring to mitigate geopolitical risks and supply chain disruptions [2]. Costa Rica has firmly established itself as a premier destination for this sector; in 2025, medical devices became the country’s leading export, accounting for approximately half of its total exports [1]. The nation currently hosts over 70 medical device manufacturers, drawn by free trade zone incentives and a skilled workforce [1]. Laura López, CEO of PROCOMER, emphasizes that operating in the region offers “concrete benefits in terms of stability, talent, market access, and sustainability” [1].
Global Market Trajectory
MCS’s strategic move positions the company to capture value in a rapidly expanding sector. The global medical device outsourced manufacturing market was valued at USD 85.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow by 63.47 billion to reach USD 148.77 billion by 2033 [2]. This represents a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.2% over the forecast period [2]. As regulatory complexity increases and capacity in core regions tightens, the demand for cost-optimized outsourcing in stable regions like Costa Rica, Mexico, and China is expected to rise, offering significant opportunities for established players like MCS [2].