Cardiff drug and alcohol testing firm plans expansion

The company tests hair samples for drugs including amphetamines, cocaine, heroin and ketamine

A hi-tech company which tests hair samples for evidence of drug and alcohol misuse is hoping to expand.

TrichoTech, based in Cardiff, has just been named winner of the Wales Innovation Award 2009.

It currently employs more than 50 staff at Pentwyn, but plans to take on 10 new staff in the new year and increase annual turnover from £8m to £9.5m.

Company toxicologists carry out 15,000 tests annually for clients including the Home Office and police forces.

Other customers include councils, hospitals, insurance firms and the Civil Aviation Authority.

Random drug testing of staff

The company was set up in 1993 and is part of the Concateno Group.

Three quarters of customers are legal professionals involved with child protection, where parental substance misuse is an issue in court hearings.

The company also provides testing for businesses needing pre-employment or random drug testing of staff.

It beat 50 other entries for the innovation award, which is run by the Wales Quality Centre.

It was previously honoured with the Queen's Award for innovation.

Rachel Woods, TrichoTech's general manager, said: "Innovation is at the heart of what we do, we've achieved this by continually improving our research and development, processes, and products."