The El Paso and Ciudad Juárez region is a major hub of activity with over 40 factories and employing more than 40,000 workers manufacturing medical devices. The region’s workforce plays an essential role in delivering high-quality products and fostering biomedical innovation of medical devices and supplies. Training the manufacturing workforce is critical to developing a strong medical device cluster that competes globally. To remain competitive, companies are implementing quality management systems, applying lean engineering principles, improving product development and more. These efforts are increasing efficiency, fostering technological growth, and leading to biotech innovations in medical device equipment.

Public and private universities in the region are also playing a role in training the biomedical engineering workforce. The University of Texas at El Paso, Technological Institute of Ciudad Juárez, Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez and other institutions offer numerous engineering programs, producing graduates ready to contribute to the manufacturing economy and aligning training to corporate needs.

Companies, universities, and supporting organizations are improving quality in boosting innovation in the biotechnology industry. Medical equipment manufacturing is bringing the tools physicians and other healthcare professionals in the medical field need to treat patients safely and more effectively.

What is the importance of receiving training in the medical device industry?

The medical device industry is a highly regulated industry that requires companies to comply with national and international quality standards. The United States Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and Mexico’s counterpart, Comisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios (COFEPRIS), regulate medical device products in the U.S. and Mexico to monitor safety and quality. Therefore, training is essential to be in compliance with national and federal regulations and remain competitive by ensuring quality and safety to customers.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, BIO EPJ launched a program to help manufacturers pivot their operations to increase the production of Personal Protection Equipment for the healthcare industry. The program assessed, assisted, and trained manufactures to reach medical device ISO certification and other unique medical device sector quality system certifications. This fall, BIO EPJ plans to launch a similar program to create a product development lab and train manufacturers. This program will increase product development and commercialization activities for medical technologies that will drive local and attract non-local innovation, contribute to more advanced manufacturing, enhance the regional supply chain, and impact public health.

This Summer, BIO El Paso - Juárez is also partnering with other organizations and government agencies such as the Secretaria de Inovacion y Desarollo Economic for the State of Chihuhua and Insitituto AXIS to provide training on New Product Development for Medical Device Manufacturers. This certification program will cover the quality, regulatory, and compliance factors to be considered for new product introduction and development for current manufacturers.

The Value of Obtaining Certifications and Training

Complying with regulations and remaining competitive are not the only benefits of obtaining quality management certifications and training. Below are more reasons to invest in training:

• Developing a company’s workforce leads to increased performance and efficiency.
• It contributes to improving the profitability and the image of the company.
• It optimizes the relationship between collaborators and healthcare partners.
• It allows evaluating the current and future limitations of employees.
• It optimizes professional levels by becoming more competitive in the market.
• High-quality products are obtained, benefiting the final consumer, the patient, thus improving their quality of life.
• The industrial biotechnology market is enhanced by creating competitive and economic opportunities for the workforce.

BIO El Paso - Juárez

BIO El Paso - Juárez and its partners are helping foster a manufacturing workforce to compete globally in the medical device industry. Being a member of Bio El Paso-Juárez allows the medical device industry to enhance and improve innovation, collaboration, investment, and resilience of the regional medical device ecosystem. There is no doubt that you will be eager to be part of this great team. Become a member of Bio El Paso-Juárez and develop your capabilities.