200 jobs created at medical firm

From LA to Llanberis - work will move across the Atlantic Workers welcome expansion

Up to 200 jobs are being created with the expansion of a biotech plant on the site of an old slate quarry in Gwynedd.

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, whose products include medical testing kits, will move work from Los Angeles to double its capacity in Llanberis.

The German-owned firm is expected to create the jobs over two years, adding to a current staff of more than 300.

Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said it was one of the most significant private sector investments in the area.

Work will move from Los Angeles to concentrate manufacturing and distribution at Llanberis, which the company said was a "purely economic decision".

The Gwynedd base is wholly owned by the company, while the Californian operation is only partially-owned.

Mr Jones said the announcement was a "truly remarkable tribute" to the quality of the local team and a "telling testimonial to the competitiveness of Wales as a great place to do business."

"We will now continue our work with the company to support their recruitment, training and up-skilling and ensure smooth and effective delivery of these ambitious expansion plans."

The plant makes "reagents," used on blood analysers in hospitals worldwide to diagnose medical conditions.

TIMELINE 1980s: Osborne Jones, of Llandwrog near Caernarfon develops a company producing diagnostic equipment for the medical profession, which grows to employ 50 1991: Company merges with US-owned Diagnostic Products from Los Angeles, becoming known as Euro/DPC Ltd. It grows to employ 300 at Llanberis 2006: Euro/DPC Ltd taken over by German giant Siemens 2008: Company announces expansion plans

Steve Britton, the company's managing director, said: "We plan to double our production capability by hiring new employees and adding highly-automated equipment without expanding the footprint of the facility"

Mr Britton said the new jobs will range from semi-skilled shop-floor staff right through to scientific operations.

"It will secure the operations here at this site certainly for the medium to long term."

Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry.

The company was formerly known as Euro/DPC and was owned by Los Angeles-based Diagnostics Products Corporation, but was acquired by Siemens in 2006.

Caernarfon MP Hywel Williams said it showed it was possible to attract high quality to the north and north west of Wales.