Randox Testing Services, a leading drug & alcohol testing company has announced a major expansion after securing a state-of-the-art 6,500 sq ft laboratory facility in Manchester.

The asset was purchased from joint administrators at KPMG, who were appointed administrators to a leading UK testing company earlier this month.

Randox Testing Services Global Manager Gary McCutcheon explained the rationale behind the purchase, “Providing forensic toxicology services to over half the UK police forces as well as workplace testing to a number of household brands, means we have experienced a rapid period of growth in recent years. This new laboratory facility gives us additional capacity to comfortably accommodate that work and now focus on increasing market-share”.

The company indicated Manchester offered particular benefits for a drug & alcohol testing provider. Gary McCutcheon said, “Manchester ranks second in terms of metropolitan economies within the UK, but when you factor in its geographical location, it really becomes an obvious choice. Outstanding air, road and rail infrastructure makes it an ideal hub location to service the UK market and further afield. Looking towards the future with Manchester’s proud tradition of science and innovation, its universities offer a strong pool of quality graduates as we require to expand.”

The purchase included state-of-the-art hair testing apparatus. Compared with other matrices, such as saliva or urine, hair gives a more complete picture of a persona’s compliance or behaviour meaning it is particularly suited to family law and child protection cases.

Gary McCutcheon welcomed the opportunity to scale up Randox’s presence in this market; “Hair-testing has experienced a period of flux recently, with one of the largest firms exiting the market, and another shifting their operations. Clients such as solicitors or social services & local authorities require stability, technical expertise and reliability. Randox Testing Services are not new to hair-testing and our customer support infrastructure means we are confident anyone looking for a provider will enjoy a smooth transition.

As part of the global Randox Group employing 1300 people and trading in 145 countries our experience draws from the wider businesses’ 30 year expertise in the clinical diagnostic and testing sector. More than doubling the size of our UK operational laboratory space is a clear statement of intent for our ambition, and we look forward to success at our new Manchester base.