PWC Starts Operations in Costa Rica

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Precision Wire Components (PWC; Portland, OR) has opened a new medical component manufacturing facility in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Speaking of the location's benefits, Todd Hill, president of PWC, says, “The stability of the country, the high literacy rate, the close proximity of the country in terms of time zone and air travel, and the established medtech community there were all compelling reasons for our expansion.”
The Central American facility will provide the same services that are offered at the company's Portland-based headquarters. This includes wire straightening, centerless grinding, and cylindrical grinding. PWC plans to phase in flattening, forming, coiling, and assembly services within the next few months. The company says that it shipped specialized validated equipment from its headquarters to Costa Rica to ensure that products will be manufactured to the tolerances customers expect.
The company initially faced some unexpected challenges with the design and construction of the facility, Hill says, but “we've successfully implemented our well-established processes, procedures, and work habits in the new plant.” The transition was helped by the company's decision to train Costa Rican employees for several months at its U.S. facility.
PWC says that it has been affected very little by the current state of the economy, and it's maintaining its “ambitious 2009 business plans.” Although some growth of business is possible in Latin America, Hill says that it expects the biggest gains to come from other countries. “The eventual cost advantages in this facility will help make us more competitive in the global market,” he says.
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