San José, Costa Rica. May 19, 2022. Rooted in Costa Rica’s excellent human talent and the country’s contribution to operational efficiency, the
Shingo Institute, a program from the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, has awarded its highest and most prestigious honor, the Shingo Prize, to
Hologic Costa Rica and its plant in Coyol de Alajuela.
The Shingo Award is a globally recognized symbol of the world’s best
manufacturing practices, anchored in the culture and principles of business excellence.
“We consider aspects like respect for each individual, leadership with humility, quality at the origin point, the pursuit of perfection, and value creation for the client. Ultimately, company recipients of this award are among the best organizations in the world, regardless of industry or country," commented Ken Snyder, Executive Director of the Shingo Institute.
In Costa Rica, Hologic manufactures medical devices for breast and surgical health, and provides financial services to several of its centers in other industries. Equipment manufacturing lines include the NovaSure ablation system for abnormal uterine bleeding, the MyoSure surgical system for uterine fibroids, and the Brevera and Eviva breast biopsy systems, as well as markers used in breast surgeries.
"The Shingo Award affirms Hologic Costa Rica’s purpose and reflects the heart of our mission: to pursue continuous improvements that empower us to deliver services and products of the highest quality, with a goal of enabling healthier lives everywhere, every day," explained Nilo Caravaca, Hologic's Vice President of Operations for Costa Rica and Latin America.
In addition, the company excels for its invention of the world's first commercial 3D mammography system in the fight against breast cancer, as well as its leadership in detecting cervical cancer, sexually transmitted infections, respiratory diseases, and the COVID-19 virus.
Jorge Sequeira, the Managing Director of
CINDE, congrated Hologic on this important milestone: “Hologic showcases Costa Rica on the world stage as a hub for operational excellence and sustainable productivity. This recognition represents the diversity, essence, and commitment of its employees, as well as its Costa Rican operational leadership.
“Since Hologic’s 2002 arrival in Costa Rica, the company has demonstrated the evolution of its operations that today, empowers it to employ more than 1000 people. The Shingo award also represents encouragement for other companies to continue working toward continuous improvement. The
Medtech sector is distinguished by its high standards and added value, both of which are appreciable, climbing from an average $76,000 in exports per employee in 1999, to $119,000 per employee in 2021 – that is, an increase of 58%.”
In recent years, Hologic Costa Rica has increasingly implemented the Shingo Model to build an employee-focused systemic culture. This holistic emphasis on excellence has helped the team to overcome challenges, such as increased global competition, greater customer expectations, product line growth, and the economic impacts of the pandemic.
Paula Astorga, the Senior Manager of New Production Introduction and Support Engineering for Hologic Costa Rica, stated, "This has been a wonderful journey of operational excellence, which has helped us develop our internal culture based on Shingo Guiding Principles. We have seen great results because our people are highly committed to delivering world-class results.”
Representatives from Hologic Costa Rica accepted the Shingo Award during the Institute's Awards Gala at the 34th Annual Shingo Conference in Orlando, Florida.
About HologicHologic, Inc. is a global medical technology innovator focused primarily on improving women’s health and well-being through early detection and treatment. Their breakthroughs include creating the world's first commercial 3D mammography system to fight breast cancer; leadership in testing for cervical cancer, sexually transmitted infections, respiratory diseases, and the virus that causes COVID-19; and minimally invasive surgical technologies for fibroids and abnormal uterine bleeding. The company also advocates for women through the Hologic Global Women's Health Index, which provides a science-backed data roadmap to improve women's well-being, as well as the Health Equity Project, which increases awareness, research insights, and access to quality care for underserved women.
About the Shingo InstituteThe Shingo Institute is home to the Shingo Award, which recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional company culture that fosters continuous improvement. The Shingo Institute, a program of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, is named after Shigeo Shingo, a Japanese industrial engineer and Toyota adviser. Dr. Shingo distinguished himself as one of the world’s leaders in concepts, management systems, and improvement techniques that have become known as the Toyota Production System.
Drawing from Dr. Shingo's teachings and years of experience in working with organizations aroun
