SAN JOSE, Calif., July 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALGN), announced today that it hosted a grand opening of its newest facilities in Costa Rica on July 20 that was attended by Carlos Alvarado Quesada, President of Costa Rica, as well as local government officials.

I was delighted to officially open our new facilities in Costa Rica and welcome President Quesada to join in our celebration,” said Emory Wright, Align Technology senior vice president, global operations. “For the past 17 years, our Costa Rica operations have helped Align’s U.S. operations develop and market the most advanced clear aligner system in the world. Our new facilities play an important part in supporting our expanding global operations by allowing us to continue to serve Invisalign and iTero trained doctors in a fast and efficient manner.”

“Align Technology’s expansion of its operations demonstrates the quality of the Costa Rican talent and its ability to attract investment from leading companies,” said the President of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado Quesada. “My administration’s focus is to create and promote competitive conditions that will attract more companies to our country.”

Align invested approximately $50 million in two new multi-story office buildings, located at San Antonio Business Center (Belén, Heredia), with plans to open another multimillion dollar facility located in La Lima (Cartago) later this year. The new facilities will eventually house all of Align’s Costa Rica employees and provide space to accommodate the Company’s long-term growth.

Align opened its Costa Rica operations in 2001 with 32 employees. Today, more than 2,800 employees generate Invisalign digital treatment modeling and planning for dentists and orthodontists; provide global customer service and support; or work in corporate functions such as finance, HR, and IT. Over the past two years, Align added more than 1,000 new employees in Costa Rica and plans to continue to expand – aiming to fill 400 new jobs by the end of 2018.

“This new facility reflects Align’s commitment to and investment in Costa Rica,” added Dr. Anamaria Castillo, Align Technology global clinical operations director. “The combination of highly specialized local talent, location, and business conditions enable us to expand our local operations so we can continue to support the majority of our markets from Costa Rica.”

“This announcement shows, once more, that Costa Rica has optimal conditions for leading companies, such as Align Technology, to invest in our country, add value to their productive processes and strengthen their competitive position in international markets,” commented Costa Rica Foreign Trade Minister, Dyalá Jiménez. “We want to encourage Align and other countries to remain strong employers in the country. We will continue to work in coordination with other institutions and CINDE to promote Costa Rican talent, give them the tools they need to face upcoming changes in global business, and to get the most out of the opportunities offered by companies like Align.”

CINDE’s president, Luis Gamboa, added, “Costa Rica talent is, without a doubt, the engine that drives multinational companies to the country. Companies like Align Technology know this and keep growing in Costa Rica, creating new opportunities. According to CINDE, a private, non-profit, non-political organization responsible for the attraction of foreign direct investment into Costa Rica, productivity per worker in the service sector has increased 100 percent from 2005 to 2017 - growing from US $35,000 to $70,000.”

Align is seeking talent for multiple functions and skill levels in Costa Rica. The majority of open positions require a high school diploma and proficiency in English. There are vacancies in areas, such as CAD design, engineering, and business administration. More information about career opportunities at Align and how more than 10,300 employees worldwide have helped create over 5.8 million smiles globally with Invisalign clear aligners is available at: https://www.aligntech.com/careers.

About Align Technology, Inc.

Align Technology designs and manufactures the Invisalign® system, the most advanced clear aligner system in the world, and iTero® intraoral scanners and services. Align’s products help dental professionals achieve the clinical results they expect and deliver effective, cutting-edge dental options to their patients. Visit www.aligntech.com for more information.

For additional information about the Invisalign system or to find an Invisalign doctor in your area, please visit www.invisalign.com. For additional information about iTero digital scanning system, please visit www.itero.com. Follow us on Twitter @AlignTechInc.

Align Technology                                                                           
Madelyn Homick                                                           
(408) 470-1180                                                               
mhomick@aligntech.com                                               

Zeno Group
Mary Ellen Ynes
(650) 759-8836
maryellen.ynes@zeno.com 

Source: Align Technology, Inc.