AsureQuality has re-opened its newly refurbished Auckland laboratory in Lynfield, following substantial renovations to extend its testing capability.

The Auckland laboratory is part of AsureQuality’s laboratory and diagnostics division, which employs a total of 403 staff across seven laboratories in New Zealand, Australia and more recently Singapore. In addition to New Zealand, the facility provides testing services to international customers in a number of countries including Australia, China, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and as far afield as the Middle East and Ireland.

Udit Singh, group manager laboratories and diagnostics said that AsureQuality’s Auckland laboratory has grown significantly from 60 staff in 1984 to over 240 today, reaching sales of over NZ$25m in 2009.

“This substantial business growth has meant we have needed to expand our Auckland premises to meet ongoing testing demands, and to ensure we continue to provide a world-class laboratory facility for our customers and staff. The recent refurbishment at Lynfield has focused on providing increased space to improve process flows within the laboratory, and includes the expansion of the chemistry laboratory by 660m², an increased sample reception area for the 1.2 million samples processed each year, and a new modern cafeteria for our laboratory staff. The total increase in floor area is 819m².”

A new wine laboratory to cater for export wine testing has also been part of the new upgrade.

Phil Goff, leader of the Labour Party and MP for Mt Roskill, officially re-opened the revamped laboratory on 6 April 2010, saying it was one of Mt Roskill’s largest employers and had a major economic impact in providing jobs and incomes to highly-skilled employees.

MP Carol Beaumont also accompanied Phil Goff to the opening. Ms Beaumont had previously spent time working with AsureQuality as part of the Parliamentary Business Trust, which promotes better understanding between business and parliamentarians.