by Harry Zimbler – Pennsylvania Business Central
$2-million bioprocessing lab now open
EVERETT – Lampire Biological Laboratories celebrated the opening of its new $2-million bioprocessing lab Oct. 26. The ribbon cutting brought together hundreds of well-wishers, including political and biotechnology leaders from state and federal institutions. Led by its president Gregory Krug, Lampire expects to continue to serve as a strong anchor for the growth of the biotechnology industry in Bedford County and the central Pennsylvania region.
According to Krug, the new facility – located in Everett – will employ 30 and bring the company’s Bedford County employment to 70 in 2008. Annual payroll will top $2 million. The 18,000 square-foot lab formerly housed a textile-manufacturing plant.
Lampire, headquartered in Pipersville, is an international supplier of products that serve the life sciences industry. Included in its products are antibodies, serum, and tissues that are used in many lifesaving medical tests and products. For example, Lampire materials are used to detect prostate cancer and determine pregnancy, among many other uses.
On hand at the ribbon cutting ceremony were U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster; James greenwood, president and CEO, Biotechnology Industry Organization; and Dennis “Mickey” Flynn, president, Pennsylvania Biotechnology Industry Organization; among many others.
“Lampire is a wonderful example of what happens when public and private groups work together,” said Bill Shuster. “Biotechnology is the bedrock of America’s strength. We hope more life-science companies will come to see what we have to offer here. Today, 40 percent of Lampire’s workforce is here in Bedford County. We expect that to increase.”
James Greenwood explained how competitive the biotechnology industry has become. “More than 20,000 people came to our (national) conference,” he said, “representing every state and many nations. They are all trying to attract biotech companies. And you have an excellent one here in Bedford County. Biotech envisions a world free of disease, free of hunger.”
Mickey Flynn echoed Greenwood’s observation. “Here in Pennsylvania there are 1,750 bio-tech establishments,” he noted. “They have 30,000 employees and 325,000 people involved as suppliers to their industry. The industry is relatively young, with lots of potential for growth. We thank Greg Krug for his commitment to the industry.”
Former Congressman Bud Shuster commented on the excitement of the day’s activities. “It is wonderful to know that this extraordinary company is growing in Bedford County,” he said, “It is on the cutting edge of the future.”
Alan Sell, former director of the Bedford County Technical Center and current assistant superintendent of Bedford Area School District, stated that Lampire and Bedford County’s agricultural heritage is a perfect match. “With the help of Greg Krug, we have been able to leverage $200,000 in grants,” he said. Sell also noted that Krug was instrumental in helping to create the new ag-biotech program at the BCTC.
“Our success is all about out people,” said Krug. “Biotechnology is about living things. It’s about people who care about the products they make. We are happy to bring a life-science company to Bedford County. We were welcomed here with open arms. The Bedford County Development Association has been an enormous help. Our industry is in its infancy. We are so lucky to be able to watch it grow.”
Krug explained that the new bio-processing facility opens up a wide variety of new possibilities for the company. “This facility has been designed and built to allow us to take manufacturing from raw materials to finished products. We’ll have more senior scientists here in Everett using the most advanced equipment in the industry…”
Sen. John Eichelberger (R-30) was on hand to present Lampire with a citation from the Pennsylvania Senate celebrating its achievements over the past 30 years, and its expansion in Bedford County. Rep. Dick Hess (R-78) brought the same congratulations.