Ribbon cutting in Lenexa celebrates growth and success of Microbiology division
Thursday, May 29, we hosted a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the recent expansion to our Lenexa Microbiology operation and to bring awareness to the local community that we are one of the area’s largest scientific employers. City and state government officials were present to acknowledge the importance of the event and to join with other local Bioscience leaders and business partners to tour the facility, network with each other, and celebrate the event with a representative set of employees. It was a wonderful opportunity to reach out to the local community and remind people that we are a great place to work and that we are doing great things to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer through Microbiology.
The Lenexa operation develops, manufactures and supports Remel brand products, a portfolio of high quality products used by clinical, industrial, research, and academic laboratories. The Remel products portfolio includes over 6000 items. Items include dehydrated and prepared culture media, collection and transport systems, diagnostic and rapid direct specimen tests, quality control products, and other laboratory supplies. The expansion project recently completed was targeted at one of four Microbiology facilities in Lenexa. This particular facility went from general office and warehouse space to a now state-of-the-art manufacturing, scientific development, training, and administration facility. The new space is occupied by approximately 40 employees and is now home to our Dehydrated Culture Media operation, MPD lab (Media and Process Development), new Chemistry lab, and fully equipped training and presentation facilities.
From left: JR Robl, KS Dept. of Commerce; Janice Katterhenry, Kansas Bioscience Authority; Mike Boehm, Mayor of Lenexa; Tom Wilson, Thermo Fisher Scientific; Tom Thornton, Kansas Bioscience Authority; Craig Knutzen, Thermo Fisher Scientific
Tom Wilson, Vice President and General Manager for Thermo Fisher Scientific, Microbiology NA, hosted the event. “This expansion positively affects all elements of our Lenexa operation,” Wilson said. “We are creating new products for our market, new service levels for our customers and new jobs for our community.”
“Our vision is to be the preferred partner for our customers and a world leader in Microbial Diagnostics.” Wilson said. “Today we are realizing this desired outcome thanks to a cooperative effort between Thermo Fisher Scientific, the Kansas Bioscience Authority, the Kansas Department of Commerce and local Lenexa government.”
The recent expansion was made possible in large part by a recent investment from the Kansas Bioscience Authority (KBA), which agreed to invest up to $1.25 million over the next five years as we continue to invest in our local Microbiology operation and expand our local workforce. Tom Thornton, president and CEO for the KBA, spoke at the event and recognized how truly important Thermo Fisher Scientific is to the state. He commended the company for its commitment to innovation and to developing products that make a difference in the lives of Kansans. “Kansas ranks 2nd in the United States for clinical research facilities,” Thornton said. “You all are a significant contributor to that.” He also said “this is a fantastic company with fantastic employees. I am very proud to have the opportunity to be part of your growth and success. We wish you all the best.”