Jobs boost for Dundee tech firm

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A Dundee-based chemical company has announced plans to expand and create 27 manufacturing jobs.

BB International Dundee, formerly Alchemy Laboratories, said that it would expand its manufacturing facilities over the next three years.

The company specialises in the manufacture of rapid diagnostic test technology such as pregnancy and hormone testing kits.

Scottish Enterprise Tayside welcomed news of the expansion.

BBI Dundee managing director and founder Richard Lamotte said: "The global market value for clinical diagnostic point of care tests was estimated in 2005 to be worth approximately $2.1bn.

Planned expansion

"We predict that the market will grow by 27% over the next five years and the new employees and additional equipment will give us the extra capacity to execute contracts which we may have previously struggled to fulfil."

Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen said that the planned expansion was excellent news for the local economy and for Scotland.

He added: "I am pleased to support this expansion through a Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) grant of £220,000 which will result in the creation of 27 new jobs and further highlight Dundee as one of the leading cities in Europe for life sciences."

Jill Farrell, operations director at Scottish Enterprise Tayside, said: "This will help further promote our international reputation as a great place to live, work and do business which will in turn help attract overseas investment - all vital to Scotland's economic growth."