This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Ayrshire firm to quadruple workforce
02/07/2003
Plans to quadruple the number of jobs at an Ayrshire
pharmaceutical company have been welcomed by Deputy First
Minister Jim Wallace.
Mr Wallace officially opened new facilities at Adgen Ltd
in Auchincruive, near Ayr, and heard of plans to increase
the number of employees at the company from 15 to 56 over
the next three years.
In a two-day visit where he focuses on local enterprise,
Mr Wallace earlier visited GE Caledonian Ltd at
Prestwick.
The Minister will tomorrow meet with representatives of
over 70 local companies, at a business breakfast in Troon,
where he will participate in a question and answer
session.
Mr Wallace said:
"The Executive has made clear that its number one
priority is growing the economy. Today's announcement
highlights the positive impact that our Smart, Successful
Scotland strategy is having.
"The decision of Adgen and Neogen to remain in Ayrshire
highlights Scotland's international reputation for
commercialisation of knowledge, and in promoting research
and development.
"These are arenas in which Scotland is truly world
class, and we must do all we can to build upon their
success. This will help business and communities both here
in Ayrshire, and across Scotland."
Mr Wallace is visiting Ayrshire for two days (July 2-3)
and as well as meeting local businesses, is visiting a
local hospital and social inclusion partnership.
Adgen Ltd has recently been acquired by Neogen
Corporation, a US-based company and has relocated to
larger premises.
Adgen develops and manufactures rapid diagnostic tests
to detect pathogens, micro organisms, toxins, allergens,
and contaminants of concern to the agricultural, feed and
food industries.
The company exports products to 90 countries around the
world as well as distributing supply test kits to most
major food producers, supermarkets, fast food outlets in
the UK.