07 October 2011

Vanguard advances with three new tenants

Three high-tech businesses have become the first tenants at the new £8.5m Vanguard House building at Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus (Daresbury SIC).

The trio of companies - Byotrol, Optimised Energy Solutions and Arcis Biotechnology - has each arrived from other parts of the Cheshire campus as Daresbury SIC continues to expand to accommodate the high growth rate of firms' onsite.

Hygiene technology firm Byotrol, which this year successfully launched a number of co-branded consumer products, including an anti-microbial cleaning spray for Tesco, has taken 2,486 sq ft of office and laboratory space. This is in addition to its existing technical centre which continues to be based at the Science and Technology facilities Council's Innovations Technology Access Centre, (I-TAC), also at Daresbury.

Arcis Biotechnology, which has developed innovative applications based on their patented surface protection technology, has moved to Vanguard House from the neighbouring Daresbury Innovation Centre after identifying that the new facilities will enhance research and development.

Optimised Energy Solutions, which specialises in complex electrical power systems, has integrated its entire operation at the new site, which will enable the company to further develop technologies.

John Downes, chairman of Daresbury SIC, said: "Vanguard House is the latest example of the campus' commitment to supporting the growth of high-tech companies through innovation and collaboration with a variety of organisations. It is the next step in our "Home for Life" philosophy for these high-tech businesses that is further supported by our recent success at securing Enterprise Zone status.

"The calibre of these three new additions reflects the impact that Vanguard House will have in providing an essential platform for cutting-edge enterprises, both from within and outside the Campus, to extend their networks and find new opportunities for development and investment."

Professor Colin Whitehouse, Deputy Chief Executive of STFC and the original proposer of the new national Science and Innovation Campus model said : "This early, high quality demand for occupancy in the Vanguard House 'Grow-On' space fits exactly with the campus model and business plan.

"There are also several other companies in the final stage of negotiations for occupancy, and it is now clear that the Daresbury Campus has an extremely strong track-record of generating UK-leading annual company growth rates and sustainability. It is not a surprise that several national and international companies now wish to join the Daresbury success story"  

Gary Millar, CEO at Byotrol said: "Byotrol has grown through the development of unique anti-microbial technologies that safely eliminate harmful microbes. It can be used a broad spectrum of applications including the consumer product, food processing, healthcare, leisure and industrial sectors both in the UK and internationally.

"Moving into Vanguard House gives us the opportunity to continue that growth strategy and consolidate our commercial activities while taking advantage of its close proximity to our existing technical centre at the Daresbury I-TAC facility."

Fred Wooder, managing director at Optimised Energy Solutions said: "We specialise in the modelling and analysis of complex electrical power systems and our long term focus is on developing advanced technologies for the smart grids of tomorrow.
 
"The Daresbury campus gives us everything we need to progress our R&D ambitions and the move to Vanguard House represents a further step in our evolution."

STFC's Chief Executive, Professor Keith Mason, said: "Despite the current economic climate, this is a clear, national example of the essential role that science can play in driving economic recovery for the UK.

"This campus, that brings together small and innovative high tech businesses with a world class scientific and technical capability, provides an unbeatable combination that is set to play a significant role in rebalancing the UK economy."

Daresbury SIC is a private-public sector joint venture between Langtree, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and Halton Borough Council, and Vanguard House becomes the third building in the joint venture portfolio, joining the Cockcroft Institute and Daresbury Innovation Centre.