Waters Corporation breaks ground on new mass spectrometry HQ in Wilmslow, UK

George Osborne MP and Brian Smith, VP, Mass Spectrometry for Waters plant a copper beech tree at the site of Waters’ new Mass Spectrometry HQ

US-based Waters Corporation recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Mass Spectrometry Headquarters planned for completion in 2014. George Osborne MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, joined Waters for the event and put the ceremonial spade in the ground. A copper beech tree was planted onsite to mark the occasion.

The new facility intended to unite Waters’ existing mass spectrometry operations, consisting of more than 500 employees, currently located on four separate sites in South Manchester and Altrincham. Plans for the new facility includes state-of-the-art customer demonstration laboratories, research and development capabilities, and an expanded manufacturing capacity.

VINCI Construction UK has been selected as the principal contractor for the development. The works entail the design and construction of the new two storey headquarters including, external services, roads, car parks and landscaping.

Osborne said, “It is a great honour to be part of this special day. Water Corporation’s decision to make this major investment in Wilmslow is a vote of confidence in the Cheshire economy and the British economy.”

Brian Smith, Vice President, MS Business Operations, Waters Corporation said, “I am excited that we now have the ability to move our high technology business forward and provide a world class centre for innovation in mass spectrometry. The new Waters MS Headquarters will be designed to accelerate the rate of innovation with increased access for the world’s scientific thought-leaders. Science is such a major contributor to the history of Manchester and we are honoured to be writing a new chapter in its rich heritage with our custom built headquarters in Wilmslow.”

Terry Shortt, Vice President of Global Quality Assurance and MSHQ Project Director at Waters Corporation said, “We remain committed to the sustainability of the project and protecting the local flora and fauna.”

The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) based in York, UK, and Waters Corporation based in the US have also opened a laboratory-based training facility, combining their respective regulatory, scientific and industry expertise to help solve the global food safety challenge. This will help testing organisations to better detect contaminated food at farms, ports and manufacturing plants and increase compliance with food regulations, ensuring food is safe before it reaches the table. The training facility will primarily train those concerned with exporting foods to Europe.

Adrian Belton, CEO, Fera said, “This is an excellent collaborative opportunity which will lead to real benefits throughout Europe and beyond. Fera’s food science experts are internationally recognised and now they will be able to pass on that expertise through this new purpose built training centre. This initiative is just one of several recent developments that support the development of a science and innovation campus at this site.”At the Fera laboratory, Fera scientists will lead intensive training programmes on EU-recommended testing methods for detecting possible contaminants in food using the latest technology and equipment. Courses will focus on detecting chemical contaminants preparing and testing samples according to fit-for-purpose methods to allow scientists to validate and use results to make the right decisions about whether food is safe and meets regulatory requirements. As part of the collaboration with Fera, Waters will help establish the laboratory’s construction, provide analytical systems and assist Fera in designing training programmes. The facility will be equipped with Waters’ state-of-the-art ACQUITY, UPLC -MS/MS systems, sample preparation components, and mycotoxin analysis tools.

EP News Bureau