Puerto Rico’s Manufacturing Future Hinges on Technology, Talent and Infrastructure

Puerto Rico’s manufacturing sector is preparing for a decade of transformation as advances in artificial intelligence, automation and biotechnology reshape global production.

However, industry leaders gathered at the Puerto Rico Manufacturing Summit 2026 emphasized that the island’s ability to remain competitive will depend on more than technological innovation.

Across three panels examining the future of manufacturing through 2036, executives, researchers and government officials identified workforce readiness, research and development, energy reliability, modern industrial facilities and public-private collaboration as critical priorities.

The discussions also highlighted a broader challenge: ensuring that Puerto Rico can translate its established manufacturing expertise into new investment, locally developed intellectual property and sustainable economic growth.

Although the three panels approached manufacturing from different perspectives, they converged on a common conclusion: Puerto Rico’s industrial competitiveness in 2036 will depend on its ability to adapt.

The Factory of 2036

The first panel, “The Factory of 2036,” examined how manufacturing facilities will evolve over the next decade, from their physical design to the adoption of advanced automation, smart manufacturing, digital twins and artificial intelligence.

Panelists included Anthony Ruiz, senior finance director at Medtronic; Carlos Rodríguez Gurrola, site director and general manager at Hewlett Packard Enterprise; Harold Nadal, senior vice president of Search & Placement at MSSS Group; and Germán Flores, senior regional director at London Consulting Group.

Rodríguez Gurrola emphasized that flexibility and adaptability must become fundamental considerations when designing future manufacturing operations. As technological developments accelerate, companies must prepare not only their facilities and production processes but also their employees to respond to changing demands.

Flores addressed the transformation of the manufacturing workforce as robotics and automation increasingly take over repetitive manual tasks. Rather than viewing these technologies exclusively as replacements for employees, he argued that companies should focus on developing workers’ technical capabilities and preparing them for new responsibilities.

He also cautioned against adopting artificial intelligence without a clear business purpose. Flores stressed that technology must be integrated into existing operations in ways that create measurable value.

Technology must be integrated into existing operations in ways that create measurable value.

The discussion underscored the importance of a gradual approach to digital transformation, particularly for small and medium-sized manufacturers that may face financial and operational barriers to adopting new systems.

Rodríguez Gurrola recommended that companies think ambitiously while beginning with manageable improvements, establishing clear metrics and continuously refining their processes. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining reliable data, noting that even sophisticated AI systems depend on the quality of the information they receive.

Workforce development emerged as another central concern. Nadal pointed to projections of significant global labor-market disruption by 2030, as technological advances eliminate certain positions while creating demand for new skills.

He advocated for earlier exposure to emerging technologies, specialized microcredentials, succession planning and continuous upskilling to help prepare the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

For smaller companies, the challenge extends beyond acquiring equipment. Flores noted that business continuity, research and development, employee training and knowledge transfer are equally important, particularly for family-owned businesses navigating generational transitions.

Panelists also stressed that human judgment and critical thinking will remain indispensable. As AI becomes more deeply integrated into manufacturing, employees will need to evaluate technological outputs, solve complex problems and make informed operational decisions.

The panel ultimately presented the factory of 2036 as a more connected, data-driven and resilient operation, one in which technological investment must be matched by a sustained commitment to developing human talent.

Innovation Showcase

The second panel, “Innovation Showcase: How Can Puerto Rico Leverage R&D Opportunities?,” explored the island’s potential to move beyond established manufacturing operations and become a stronger center for research commercialization, biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovation.

Participants included John Aylsworth, founder and CEO of Xytogen Biotech; Dr. Eduardo Nicolau, executive director of the University of Puerto Rico’s Molecular Sciences Research Center; and pharmaceutical industry consultant Ricardo Zayas.

A central theme was the challenge of converting scientific discoveries into commercially viable products, a process that requires not only technical expertise but also specialized facilities, regulatory compliance, investment capital and long-term institutional support.

Aylsworth, whose company specializes in human stem-cell technologies, said he relocated his businesses to Puerto Rico approximately nine months ago. He explained that revenue generated through dermatological and skincare products helps support the company’s broader research activities.

However, advancing research toward therapeutic applications requires additional resources and regulatory infrastructure. He highlighted the Molecular Sciences Research Center as an important asset, providing specialized facilities that can help companies pursue development and regulatory requirements associated with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Zayas likewise praised the center’s infrastructure, describing its research capabilities as comparable to leading facilities internationally. Drawing on his experience in global pharmaceutical operations, he emphasized Puerto Rico’s established manufacturing ecosystem and skilled workforce.

He also pointed to the island’s ability to recruit specialized professionals and its history of operational resilience, recalling how employees worked to restore pharmaceutical manufacturing operations following Hurricane María.

Despite these advantages, both speakers acknowledged that scientific expertise alone is insufficient to create a thriving innovation economy.

Aylsworth identified access to capital as a critical obstacle for emerging biotechnology companies, particularly those pursuing research-intensive products with lengthy development and regulatory timelines. He advocated for commercialization strategies capable of generating revenue while companies continue developing their technologies.

Zayas emphasized the importance of sustained investment in research and development, arguing that Puerto Rico must place greater focus on creating and commercializing its own intellectual property rather than relying exclusively on manufacturing products developed elsewhere.

Puerto Rico must place greater focus on creating and commercializing its own intellectual property rather than relying exclusively on manufacturing products developed elsewhere.

He also identified electrical reliability, investor confidence and consistency in government policy as essential factors in attracting long-term pharmaceutical investment.

Comparisons with established innovation ecosystems, including Ireland and Singapore, highlighted the importance of coordinated strategies linking universities, government agencies, research institutions and private capital.

Aylsworth also discussed his involvement in conversations surrounding potential legislation related to stem-cell research and regenerative medicine, an emerging field that could offer Puerto Rico additional opportunities in biotechnology.

The discussion positioned Puerto Rico at a potential turning point: while the island already possesses significant pharmaceutical manufacturing expertise, capturing more value from the industry’s future will require strengthening the connection between scientific research, entrepreneurship and commercial production.

Manufacturing Economy Through 2036

The third panel, “Building Puerto Rico’s Manufacturing Sector of 2036,” broadened the discussion to the infrastructure, public policies and economic conditions necessary to sustain industrial growth.

The discussion brought together Gov. Jenniffer González Colón; Rafael Vélez Domínguez, president of the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association; Enrique Ortiz de Montellano, president and CEO of Claro Puerto Rico; Alberto de la Cruz, president and CEO of CC1 Companies; Jorge Hernández de León, president and CEO of Aerostar Airport Holdings; and Julián Fernández Rodes, CEO of Metropistas.

In her presentation, González Colón identified manufacturing as a central priority for her administration’s economic development agenda, emphasizing the sector’s contribution to Puerto Rico’s economic output, employment and exports.

According to figures presented during the summit, manufacturing accounts for approximately 44% of Puerto Rico’s gross domestic product, supports roughly 80,000 workers across 2,156 establishments and generates approximately $58.6 billion in exports, representing 96.7% of the island’s merchandise exports.

The governor also highlighted more than 30 economic development projects associated with approximately $2.65 billion in investment commitments and an estimated 5,700 manufacturing jobs.

Beyond attracting new businesses, the administration is seeking to support the expansion of existing manufacturers, including small and medium-sized enterprises.

González Colón outlined plans to modernize industrial infrastructure through the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO), rehabilitate existing facilities and develop additional industrial space.

The administration is also pursuing improvements to the permitting process, which the governor identified as a significant obstacle to economic development. She highlighted efforts to reduce approval timelines and simplify procedures for companies undertaking new projects or expansions.

Energy reliability emerged as one of the most pressing priorities.

The governor described plans to increase generation capacity through additional power projects, including natural gas, solar energy and battery storage. She also discussed investments in water infrastructure, roads, ports and regional airports to strengthen the movement of goods and improve conditions for industrial operations.

The private-sector panelists reinforced the importance of viewing infrastructure as an interconnected system.

Ortiz de Montellano emphasized that modern manufacturing requires reliable digital connectivity, with increasingly automated factories depending on real-time data transmission, connected inventories and advanced communications networks.

Hernández de León discussed Puerto Rico’s potential to strengthen its role as a Caribbean air-cargo and logistics hub, highlighting the importance of connectivity, operational execution and regulatory certainty. He also pointed to specialized certifications and infrastructure needed to handle sensitive cargo, including pharmaceutical products.

Fernández Rodes identified road safety, resilience and traffic efficiency as important components of industrial competitiveness, noting the role transportation infrastructure plays in connecting manufacturing facilities with ports, airports and commercial markets.

Meanwhile, de la Cruz encouraged Puerto Rican manufacturers to identify opportunities in specialized consumer products and niche markets, arguing that local companies should think beyond the island’s domestic market when evaluating growth opportunities.

Local companies should think beyond the island’s domestic market when evaluating growth opportunities.

His remarks highlighted the potential for Puerto Rican brands to expand into external markets by capitalizing on products with distinctive cultural and commercial appeal.

Throughout the discussion, González Colón reiterated the importance of improving the island’s electrical system and reducing energy costs. She also emphasized a greater role for the private sector in infrastructure development and service delivery.

Taken together, the panelists presented a vision of Puerto Rico’s manufacturing future that depends on the combined modernization of physical infrastructure, digital systems and the broader business environment.

Looking Ahead

Although the three panels approached manufacturing from different perspectives, they converged on a common conclusion: Puerto Rico’s industrial competitiveness in 2036 will depend on its ability to adapt.

Advanced automation and artificial intelligence may transform production processes, but their benefits will depend on skilled workers and sound management. Research institutions may generate new scientific breakthroughs, but commercialization will require access to capital and sustained investment. And even the most technologically advanced manufacturing facilities will depend on reliable energy, transportation, water and digital infrastructure.

For an island with a longstanding presence in pharmaceutical, medical device and advanced manufacturing, the next decade presents an opportunity not only to preserve its industrial base but also to expand its role in innovation, product development and global supply chains.