Norwich Research Park has officially welcomed one of the world’s leading independent seed technology businesses, Germains Seed Technology, to their brand new state-of-the-art laboratory.
The bespoke facility at Centrum, Norwich Research Park’s research, innovation and business hub, accommodates senior members of Germains’ Research and Development team with a strategic focus on the science of seed priming and crop development.
Dr Sally Ann Forsyth, chief executive officer at Norwich Research Park, welcomed Germains to the £11.5m Centrum building saying: “We are delighted Germains Seed Technology has chosen Norwich Research Park as a location to further research seed priming and crop development. This reinforces our global position in creating a unique cluster of business and research organisations with world-leading science credentials.”
“Norwich Research Park provides first-class science facilities and our laboratories at Centrum best-place Germains to carry out their research and development in a supportive agri-tech environment,” said Dr Forsyth.
Germains was acquired by FTSE 100 company Associated British Foods in 1990. In addition to existing Research and Development facilities in the UK, Netherlands and the US, the opening of their latest laboratory and research office further strengthens Germains’ existing links with scientific and business partners at Norwich Research Park.
Senior scientist, Dr Hamad Siddiqui, said: “With our new laboratory at Centrum, Germains benefits from the expertise and technical infrastructure at Norwich Research Park. We already collaborate with the John Innes Centre and we are looking to build new collaborations with other institutions, too.”
Dr. Gerard Mulqueen, European business director at Germains Seed Technology, which operates globally with sites across two continents, said: “This fundamental research facility at Norwich Research Park’s Centrum laboratories is a further enhancement to our product development programme, enabling Germains to continue meeting the future needs of our customers and the industry as a whole.”
Germains joins more than 40 other businesses based at Norwich Research Park including four world-renowned research institutes, the University of East Anglia and the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital. More than 12,000 people work at the site including 3,000 researchers and clinicians. The offices and laboratories at Centrum are well-suited to growing and established science-based companies looking to enjoy the benefits of being located alongside innovative businesses and cutting-edge research institutes at the Park.
Providing industry-leading innovative seed technology, Germains provides value added solutions to maximise the natural potential of seed in the field. As one of the world’s largest independent seed technology providers with a heritage of nearly 150 years, Germains operate globally with sites across two continents. Demonstrating commitment to science and development, work has now started in the new laboratory.