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200 jobs created at medical firm 200 jobs created at medical firm
(about 4 hours 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, whose products include medical testing kits, will move work from Los Angeles to double its capacity in Llanberis.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.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.
Work will move from Los Angeles to concentrate manufacturing and distribution at Llanberis, which the company said was a "purely economic decision".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.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."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."
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."
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.
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 Llanberis2006: Euro/DPC Ltd taken over by German giant Siemens2008: 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"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 Llanberis2006: Euro/DPC Ltd taken over by German giant Siemens2008: Company announces expansion plans
"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 in 2006.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.
Dafydd Wigley, the former Caernarfon MP, who is now chairman of Bangor University's business school, welcomed the expansion.
Mr Wigley, who was formerly chair of the company which merged to form the original factory on the site, said it showed that "people are willing to invest from a world perspective to invest in Wales".
"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 showed it was possible to attract high quality to the north and north west of Wales.Caernarfon MP Hywel Williams said it showed it was possible to attract high quality to the north and north west of Wales.