An International Advantage

An International Advantage

The MPO Symposium returns to Costa Rica, exploring internationalmanufacturing opportunities and building relationships.

MPO Staff Report

For the most part, we’d all like to have some honest advantage—that little edge that makes us more competitive or better able to perform. That’s certainly true in business and increasingly in the medical device industry in particular. Simply having the best technology, unfortunately, isn’t enough anymore. You need speed to market, a smooth manufacturing process, top-notch quality systems, and much more, all while keeping costs in check. For many medtech companies, one way to bolster the bottom line is to find offshore manufacturing options—or work with manufacturing partners that already have them. Not only are there money-saving advantages, but in some cases, access is better to foreign markets.

Opportunity, of course, doesn’t come without a little risk. How do you manage an international supply chain? What are your manufacturing options—not just location, but the availability of the best supplier partners? How do you maintain quality in an international setting? Once you’ve made the leap, how do you manage the relationships? These questions, and many others, are just the beginning.

To help give medical device companies that much-needed advantage, and building on the success of the inaugural event in Costa Rica in 2009, the MPO Symposium Costa Rica 2011 is designed to tackle these topics. The three-day event (May 11-13), held at the Costa Rica Marriott San Jose, offers ample networking and educational sessions. The program kicks off on May 11 with one-to-one meetings arranged by the conference coordinators to pair suppliers and contract manufacturers with medical device firms. A welcome reception concludes the first day. The following day presents conference sessions covering topics such as the supplier quality evaluation process, modern Lean manufacturing techniques and managing global manufacturing relationships. The second half of day two includes the opportunity to visit device manufacturers’ facilities in Costa Rica (space is limited, so register early). A select group of companies will open their doors for Symposium attendees to share their knowledge about the intricacies of doing business abroad and creating world-class manufacturing centers offshore. The meeting culminates with a golf outing on the final day.
The agenda is designed to allow conference-goers to learn, actively participate in discussions and make critical business contacts.

And Costa Rica is the perfect setting to discuss international medtech manufacturing. Take, for example, the country’s recent ranking as the biggest high-tech exporter in Latin America and fourth-largest in the world, according to a study conducted by the World Bank. It also is the third-largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) per capita, ahead of countries such as Mexico and Brazil. For 2010-2014, the country hopes to attract $9 billion in FDI, a 34 percent increase compared to 2006-2010.

“When we talk to medical technology companies in Costa Rica about their future plans, the good news is that all these enterprises plan expansion,” Costa Rica’s President Laura Chinchilla told

Medical Product Outsourcing late last year. “That doesn’t just mean expansion of facilities, it means production of more sophisticated devices and operations, research and development, and training facilities. We have to continue to support these types of operations and foster cooperation. It has been an example of growth for us—not just in continuing to attract new medtech, but also high-tech companies in other industries.”

There are more than 200 multinational companies doing business in Costa Rica. In 2000, there were only eight medical device companies. Now, there are more than 30. One example of recent medtech expansion is St. Jude Medical. The St. Paul, Minn.-based cardiovascular giant opened a facility in September for manufacturing heart valves.

Don’t miss a valuable opportunity to explore your international manufacturing options, whether you’ve done it before or are looking to start. Visit www.mposymposium.com for more information, conference rates and to register.

Conference Agendaat a Glance

COSTA RICA MARRIOTT HOTEL, SAN JOSE

May 11-13, 2011 • www.mposymposium.com

WEDNESDAY • MAY 11

1:00 – 4:00 p.m. One-on-One Meetings: Supplier/OEM Match-Up at the Costa Rica Marriott San Jose

One-on-one companies confirmed:

• Allergan, Inc.

• Hologic, Inc.

• Hospira, Inc.

5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Welcome Reception

THURSDAY • MAY 12

8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Registration

8:30 – 8:45 a.m. Conference Chair Opening Remarks

8:45 – 9:00 a.m. Welcome Keynote Address

Anabel Gonzalez

Minister of Foreign Trade

Costa Rica

9:00 – 9:45 a.m. Revitalizing Manufacturing Throughout the Supply Chain:The Comeback of Lean Techniques

Michael Kruklinski

Vice President,Corporate Development & Strategy

Siemens Corporation

9:45 – 10:30 a.m. How Experts Evaluate Supplier Quality During Outsourcing Decision-making

James Shore

Principal Quality Engineer,Design Quality Assurance

Boston Scientific Corp.

10:30 – 11:15 a.m. Networking Break

11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Re-evaluating Outsourcing Options: Which Markets Provide the Most Opportunity?

John E. O’Brien

President

O’Brien Consulting, LLC

12:00 – 12:45 p.m. Interactive Panel Discussion:Managing Manufacturing Relationships Across Borders

Tom Burns

Vice President, Business Development

Tegra Medical

Marissa Fayer

Manufacturing Project Manager

Hologic, Inc.

Dora Soto

Operations & Materials Director

ArthroCare Corp.

Tom Vassallo

Executive Vice President,Global Business Development

Helix Medical, LLC

12:45 – 1:45 p.m. Networking Luncheon

1:45 -5:00 p.m. Offsite Medical Device Manufacturer Plant Tours:

• BeamOne, LLC

• Boston Scientific Corp., Endoscopy

• Boston Scientific Corp., Cardiovascular

• Hologic, Inc.

• Hospira, Inc.

*Buses depart from the Marriott

6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Dinner at Marriott

FRIDAY • MAY 13

6:30 a.m. Golf outing at Valle del Sol

*Buses depart Marriott at 6:30 a.m.