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200 jobs created at medical firm 200 jobs created at medical firm
(about 1 hour later)
Up to 200 jobs are being created with the expansion of a biotech plant on the site of an old slate quarry in Gwynedd.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 has announced a major expansion of its manufacturing and distribution operation in Llaberis. Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics has announced a major expansion of its manufacturing and distribution operation in Llanberis.
The German-owned firm is expected to create the jobs over two years, adding to a current staff of over 300 people.The German-owned firm is expected to create the jobs over two years, adding to a current staff of over 300 people.
The expansion has been welcomed by Caernarfon MP Hywel Williams, who said it was "great news for the area". The expansion was welcomed by Caernarfon MP Hywel Williams, who said it was "great news for the area".
Mr Williams added: "These are good jobs, jobs with good prospects, with a company that has been established in the area for years.Mr Williams added: "These are good jobs, jobs with good prospects, with a company that has been established in the area for years.
"It shows that it is possible to get high quality companies, and jobs to come to the north and the north west and give an economic boost to the people there"."It shows that it is possible to get high quality companies, and jobs to come to the north and the north west and give an economic boost to the people there".
It shows that if it's possible to do this on the slopes of Snowdonia, then it's possible to do this anywhere in Wales. Dafydd WigleyIt shows that if it's possible to do this on the slopes of Snowdonia, then it's possible to do this anywhere in Wales. Dafydd Wigley
The plant makes "reagents," used on blood analysers in hospitals worldwide to diagnose medical conditions.The plant makes "reagents," used on blood analysers in hospitals worldwide to diagnose medical conditions.
Steve Britton, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics 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"Steve Britton, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics 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"
Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry.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 about a year ago.The company was formerly known as Euro/DPC and was owned by Los Angeles-based Diagnostics Products Corporation, but was acquired by Siemens about a year ago.
Former MP Dafydd Wigley, who is now chairman of the Business School at Bangor University. Dafydd Wigley, the former Caernarfon MP and Plaid Cymru president who is now chairman of the Business School at Bangor University, also welcomed the expansion.
But he was formerly chair of the company which merged to form the original factory on the site in 1992, also welcomed the expansion. Mr Wigley, who was formerly chair of the company which merged to form the original factory on the site in 1992, said it showed that "people are willing to invest from a world perspective to invest in Wales".
Mr Wigley said it showed that "people are willing to invest from a world perspective to invest in Wales".
He said: "What this shows is what's possible when a local person starts something with their own initiative.He said: "What this shows is what's possible when a local person starts something with their own initiative.
"And they attract people from the area to give them financial backing, and attract local people with relevant skills and the thing has grown to feed an international market."And they attract people from the area to give them financial backing, and attract local people with relevant skills and the thing has grown to feed an international market.
"And it shows that if it's possible to do this on the slopes of Snowdonia, then it's possible to do this anywhere in Wales.""And it shows that if it's possible to do this on the slopes of Snowdonia, then it's possible to do this anywhere in Wales."