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| 200 jobs created at medical firm | 200 jobs created at medical firm |
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| 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, whose products include medical testing kits, will double capacity at its base 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. | Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said it was one of the most significant private sector investments in the area. |
| "The decision by the Siemens board to concentrate manufacturing at Llanberis is 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," said Mr Jones, who is also minister for the economy and transport. | "The decision by the Siemens board to concentrate manufacturing at Llanberis is 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," said Mr Jones, who is also minister for the economy and transport. |
| 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 Wigley | 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 Wigley |
| "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. | "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. |
| "In the longer term, this decision by a world leading company to supply international markets from north-west Wales is clear recognition of the competitiveness and quality of Welsh locations and Welsh workers." | "In the longer term, this decision by a world leading company to supply international markets from north-west Wales is clear recognition of the competitiveness and quality of Welsh locations and Welsh workers." |
| 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, 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" | 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. | Mr Britton said the new jobs will range from semi-skilled shop-floor staff right through to scientific operations. |
| TIMELINE 1980s: Osborne Jones, of Llandwrog near Caernarfon develops a company producing diagnostic equipment for the medical profession, which grows to employ 501991: Company merges with US-owned Diagnostic Products from Los Angeles, becoming known as Euro DPC Ltd. It grows to employ 300 at Llanberis2007: Euro DPC Ltd taken over by German giant Siemens2008: Company announces expansion plans | |
| 1991 - The company merges with American-owned Diagnostic Products from Los Angeles becoming known as Euro DPC Ltd. The company grows to employ over 300 people at Llanberis.2007 - Euro DPC Ltd taken over by Siemens.2008 - Major job announcement. | |
| "It will secure the operations here at this site certainly for the medium to long term." | "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. | 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. |
| Dafydd Wigley, the former Caernarfon MP and Plaid Cymru president who is now chairman of the Business School at Bangor University, welcomed the expansion. | Dafydd Wigley, the former Caernarfon MP and Plaid Cymru president who is now chairman of the Business School at Bangor University, 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, 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". |
| 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." |
| Caernarfon MP Hywel Williams said: "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". | Caernarfon MP Hywel Williams said: "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". |