Affymetrix Inc., a pioneer in creating breakthrough tools that are driving the genomic revolution, recently officially opened its manufacturing facility in Singapore. The new state-of-the-art building is Affymetrix’s first manufacturing facility outside of the United States, enabling the company to better serve and support its growing international business.
“While Singapore offers a number of significant economic, political and lifestyle advantages, Affymetrix was most impressed with the country’s commitment and support to the life sciences industry,” said Kevin King, president of life sciences business and executive vice president of Affymetrix. “In fact, a number of our most innovative and highly valued customers are here in Singapore, doing research in everything from cancer to population genetics to diabetes. This new facility enables us to better serve and support our growing customer base around the world.”
Within a span of two years, five scientific instrumentation companies, including Affymetrix, have decided to set up manufacturing operations in Singapore. Its strong process R&D capabilities in electronics and precision engineering, large pool of well-educated workers, and a competitive tax environment are some of the reasons why companies like Affymetrix are attracted to manufacture high value products in Singapore, said Aw Kah Peng, assistant managing director of Singapore's Economic Development Board.
Affymetrix's Singapore facility is located at the Keppel Logistics Building at Gul Circle, Jurong Industrial Park. It has been operational since the end of 2006 and employs 120 staff members. It was designed to look and operate like Affymetrix’s main manufacturing facility in West Sacramento, Calif. By the end of 2007, Affymetrix plans to shift about 40 percent of its total microarray production to Singapore.
“Singapore is known for its highly educated, highly motivated work force and the local team did a tremendous job getting the site up and running in record time,” said Warren Kocmond, senior vice president of global operations at Affymetrix.
For MORE NEWS BRIEFS, click here.
For a FREE SUBSCRIPTION to Expansion Management magazine, click here.
For MORE NEWS BRIEFS SORTED BY COUNTRY, click here.
For MORE NEWS BRIEFS SORTED BY STATE, click here.
For MORE NEWS BRIEFS SORTED BY INDUSTRY or FUNCTION, click here.
Means the article is accessible only to our magazine subscribers.
