Read the Conversation
Meeting highlights:
- Building from the Ground Up: Established in 2019, the Costa Rica site has into a key manufacturing hub within the company’s global network.
- Pioneering Digital Transformation: Costa Rica is leading the rollout of the company's first Electronic Device History Record, setting a precedent for operational efficiency and traceability.
- Costa Rica's Strategic Edge: The location offers a powerful mix of cost competitiveness, skilled talent, and close proximity to OEMs, making it ideal for scaling production and strengthening customer relationships.
- Collaborative Ecosystem: Located in a cluster of industry leaders, the site benefits from Costa Rica’s uniquely collaborative environment, where proximity fosters innovation and agility.
- A Vision of Impact and Belonging: The long-term vision includes a fully utilized facility, where teams across manufacturing, shared services, and R&D thrive in a culture of pride, purpose, and continuous improvement.
EF: Could you elaborate on your journey with Cirtec Medical and what is your footprint in Costa Rica today?
MM: In 2019, I was approached by Cirtec Medical to establish operations in Costa Rica. My prior experience with similar companies in the region made me a strong candidate for this role.
Launching the company during the pandemic in 2020 presented significant challenges, but we successfully established five production lines focused on catheters, coils, and leads, particularly for the neuromodulation and interventional cardiology markets. Our initial objectives included hiring staff, certifying the company with ISO 13485, and achieving FDA approval. Within the first year, we met these goals and began operations.
Cirtec’s strategy was to serve the growing cluster of medical device companies in the region. Operating within a free trade zone, we leveraged both local advantages and the company’s strong R&D presence in Minnesota and California.
As the company grew, we integrated design and manufacturing, enabling us to offer a comprehensive service from concept to finished device. Our success has led to continuous expansion, and we recently added a new production area for neuromodulation leads. We anticipate doubling our size within the next 18 months, which is a positive development for both the company and Costa Rica.
EF: How do you foster a strong culture that supports employee growth, motivation, and satisfaction, while also maintaining a positive and productive work environment?
MM: As a small company operating in a landscape dominated by larger organizations, we face unique challenges, particularly when it comes to competing with the benefits and resources that bigger companies can offer. To address this, our focus is on cultivating a strong, family-oriented culture. In our close-knit environment, everyone knows each other, collaborates effectively, and shares both objectives and strategies. This sense of community enables us to implement new ideas and development programs efficiently.
In Costa Rica, I have observed a strong desire among people to grow and develop professionally. At Cirtec, we leverage this by providing opportunities to learn new technologies and processes each year, which keeps the work dynamic and engaging. Unlike larger companies, where roles can become repetitive, our employees are closely connected to the business and can see the direct impact of their contributions. This proximity to the business fosters a sense of ownership and motivation.
We also prioritize celebrating personal milestones and achievements, ensuring that recognition is meaningful and does not disrupt the workflow. Work-life balance is another priority. We do not expect our team to work excessive hours, as we believe that well-rested employees are more productive and engaged. Our goal is to create an environment where people feel valued and motivated to give their best. I am proud to say that most of our employees are happy with where we are headed.
The greatest asset of any company is its people, and the best ideas originate from them. When individuals understand the purpose and the desired outcome, they naturally collaborate and contribute their opinions. At Critec, we implemented a program called "Harvest of Ideas", which is dedicated to operational excellence. Our aim is to encourage people to share ideas that can improve any aspect of our operations, whether in manufacturing, processes, safety, financial benefits, or maintenance.
EF: How do you see Cirtec positioned as a partner of choice?
MM: Our performance speaks for itself. Over the past four years, we have consistently achieved a near-perfect record in quality audits, regulatory inspections, and customer feedback, with minimal or no observations regarding our quality system.
In the past ten months, we have maintained an extraordinary rate on-time delivery rate, reaching almost 100% constantly. This reliability is crucial for our customers, who depend on receiving their products when promised. We understand the importance of trust and confidence in our delivery, and we take pride in our reputation for punctuality. Our close relationships with customers, including regular feedback and open communication, reinforce this trust. When an issue arises, we address it promptly and transparently, ensuring a positive experience.
Quality remains our top priority. Customers expect flawless products delivered on schedule, and we are committed to meeting these expectations. We continuously seek opportunities for growth and innovation, expanding our offerings when possible. For example, we handle not only standard components but also specialized items such as catheters and vertically integrated solutions such as extrusion or braiding.
Customers value this because it allows them to rely on a single source, ensuring consistency and reliability.
We also believe in transparency and collaboration. Many customers visit our facilities to observe our operations firsthand. By transferring production from the US and manufacturing at a better cost without sacrificing quality, we demonstrate our commitment to their success. This approach is a core part of our value proposition and resonates strongly with our partners.
EF: Could you elaborate on the relative importance of your operations in Costa Rica to Cirtec Medical?
MM: Costa Rica stands out as a highly strategic site for us due to its cost advantages and unique geographic positioning among original equipment manufacturers. The region is particularly attractive for the United States market, offering ample space, a skilled workforce, and consistently high quality. Cirtec Costa Rica is positioned to become one of the company’s most profitable locations, a vision that has been integral to our long-term strategy and is now gaining significant momentum.
As a contract manufacturer, proximity to original equipment manufacturers is a significant strategic advantage. Many are already established in the region, with more expected to arrive. Being close to our customers enables rapid response to their needs, particularly as demand fluctuates, and ensures a more efficient supply chain. This proximity is a key factor in Cirtec’s ability to deliver value and maintain strong partnerships.
We have already begun to take steps in this direction. Toward the end of last year, we established a shared services department within our site. While its primary focus is on finance, it also supports other areas such as supplier quality and documentation. This development reflects how the company is investing in the Costa Rica site. For the country, this brings added value by creating new jobs and expanding opportunities for local talent, allowing people here to contribute to Cirtec’s global services.
EF: How would you like to be remembered five years from now?
MM: I would like to be remembered for what we have built here from the ground up. As the first employee at this site, my vision is to see its full potential realized over the next five years. We have already expanded from 35,000 to 90,000 square feet, and my goal is to see this entire space filled with people, energy, and purpose. I envision not only a thriving manufacturing operation but also fully implemented shared services and research and development.
It is important to me that everyone here feels the same pride and sense of belonging they experienced when they first joined. I want our team to look forward to coming to work, confident and happy to be part of this community. Maintaining profitability and consistently meeting our key performance indicators will remain a priority.
If I can achieve these objectives, I believe I will leave behind a meaningful legacy. I hope people will look back and say, “He started this site and elevated it to new heights.” Ultimately, the greatest reward is seeing the positive results and hearing the feedback from both within and outside the company. At the heart of it all are the people, and I would be proud to be remembered for fostering that sense of purpose and community.
