It’s just the boost York’s economy needed in the week that saw the starting gun fired on Brexit.
A global science giant has announced plans for a near-£1 million expansion in York.
In what will be viewed as a major vote of confidence in the city’s future, ACM Global Laboratories revealed it is to add a second building to its European HQ on Hospital Fields Road.
Having already seen the growth of its York workforce from fewer than 100 to 166 staff, that figure could double again.
Growing demand
The US-based medical diagnostic testing company needs to meet growing demand for its clinical trials testing services throughout Europe as well as South Africa and the Middle East.
The York labs already handle nearly three million diagnostic tests each year.
The jobs generated will be high spec and include laboratory scientists, life sciences project managers, quality assurance professionals and data managers.
ACM Global’s new building in York will be officially opened next Thursday (April 6).
MD undaunted
This has led to speculation about whether foreign investment in the UK will suffer.
But Jerry Boxall, managing director for ACM Global’s Europe and Asia operation in York, is undaunted. He said:
We operate in a global business environment and our clients and investigator sites are spread around the world.
York’s strong in the sciences
Mr Boxall added that more than 55 per cent of his laboratory’s outgoing and incoming shipments were from countries outside the EU “and we are well prepared to deal with any changes that may occur as a result of Brexit negotiations.York-based restaurant chain to open fifth venue
“York has a very strong reputation in science and this is helpful to us in being able to source high calibre talent for our team.
“We feel we are an important part of the science community in York and intend to remain so long into the future.”
The significant investment includes fit-out costs plus a lease over ten years.
Company history
ACM Global’s parent company is the $2 billion group, Rochester Regional Health based in New York State.
The European laboratories opened in York in 1999 at Aviator Court, Clifton Moor.
So great was its expansion that four years ago it moved to dedicated premises twice the size in Hospital Fields Road.