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DECATUR Bio Analytical SERVICES, LLC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9 A.M. CST, May 11, 2007
TWENTY YEARS OF CHANGE AND GROWTH FOR
LOCAL COMPANY
DECATUR, IL – EPL Bio Analytical Services, Inc., (EPL
BAS) has reached a milestone that few small businesses achieve,
their 20th anniversary.
EPL BAS started with two employees working in a garage behind
Binder Plumbing in Decatur, Illinois. The focus of the company
was to support the agricultural industry by providing contract
research services for product and residue chemistry, multi-residue
studies and toxicology/ecotoxicology studies for agricultural
crop protection products. Over the history of the company,
there have been changes in ownership and services.
In 2000, the United States Environmental Protection Agency
(US EPA) terminated its retesting program for crop protection
leaving a large void in the company’s revenue stream.
Its then owner saw biotechnology as an answer to the situation
and refocused the company to develop and validate the required
methodology in compliance with Good Laboratory Practice standards
as set forth by the US EPA to meet the needs for this emerging
branch of agriculture.
This redirection left the company poised for growth and with
a new ownership structure and new leadership in place at the
end of 2005, the company has hit its stride.
EPL BAS now employs 27 full-time professional staff persons,
two part-time employees and several temporary and student
workers who occupy a 30,000 square foot facility in Harristown,
IL, just outside of Decatur. EPL BAS is a leader in chemistry,
biochemistry, biology and Good Laboratory Practice compliance
focused on the agriculture industry. The company is also experiencing
financial gains, doubling revenues from 2005 to 2006 and adding
new technology jobs to the local economy.
The company has come a long way from its humble garage beginnings,
but has the growth affected the company vision and culture?
Not according to current CEO, Robin King who states, “I
believe the vision is the same – we have an excellent
team devoted to partnering with the agricultural industry
to produce safe, abundant food while promoting a healthy environment.”
Date: 05/10/07 |
