Agilent opens new LCMS plant in Singapore
The facility, in Yishun, will produce Agilent’s range of liquid chromatography mass spec (LC/MS) systems for discovery, development and industrial quality control applications in the pharmaceutical sector.
In addition to manufacturing, the new centre will provide procurement, supply chain, engineering and logistics support to enable Agilent’s customers to make best use of its products.
Asian growth
US-headquartered Agilent has operated in Singapore since 1970, growing to keep pace with the emerging drug industry through a number of investments.
The most recent of these, prior to today’s news, was the establishment of its automated solutions plant in June 2009, which manufacturers Agilent’s range of liquid handling and laboratory robotics technologies.
CEO Bill Sullivan said the new instrument manufacturing plant is designed to continue this expansion process by providing “greater access to the life sciences instrument market in Asia.”
He went on to explain that the plant “will bring us closer to our customers, as the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries have become an important part of Singapore's overall economy and investment strategy."
Sullivan reiterated the region’s potential in an interview with Todayonline, predicting that: “If Asia continues to grow disproportionately to the US and Europe, we will see our business in Asia grow over 40 per cent.”
These thoughts were echoed by S Iswaran, senior minister of state for trade, industry and education, who said he was pleased “Singapore will be an integral part of Agilent’s global manufacturing network.”
“Life sciences companies can further tap Singapore as a base in Asia to drive business expansion and innovation for the region.
