Cawood Scientific – a large independent provider of analytical laboratory testing services for the land-based industries – has taken over St David’s Laboratory Services in Dungannon, County Tyrone.
The business has been rebranded as Sci-Tech (Ireland). Specialising in poultry serology, it carries out diagnostic work for poultry producers and vets throughout Ireland, and complements the work carried out at Cawood’s existing Sci-Tech laboratories in Shropshire.
In addition, Cawood has appointed Aisling Kelly as its new business development manager, responsible for developing business in Ireland for all of its different sites, both in the UK and Ireland.
“People have been asking Cawood to have a base in Ireland for many years, and recent expansion has now enabled this to happen,” she explains. “Through the other divisions in the Group, we can offer extensive testing services, covering everything from soil and feed analysis to serology, testing of vaccines and proofing of agrochemicals. Rather than dealing with lots of individual laboratories, we can now provide our customers with a one-stop shop.”
Mrs Kelly spent over 15 years working as a territory manager for Merial, so has extensive links throughout the industry in Ireland, and also has a technical background with a degree in Pure and Applied Chemistry and three years’ experience working in laboratories.
“I’ve been speaking to pig vets about the tests we can offer, including supporting disease eradication programmes, and there’s plenty we can do for feed manufacturers,” she adds. “In addition, every farmer in Ireland is required to have a nutrient management plan – by analysing their soil and farmyard manures they can better target nutrient use.”
Cawood’s other recent acquisitions include Mambo-Tox, which specialises in soil ecotoxicology, and Enitial, which offers environmental monitoring and support services. These sit alongside Cawood’s existing arms: Sciantec Analytical Services, which encompasses all aspects of animal nutrition; NRM Laboratories, which provides agricultural, horticultural and environmental services; and Sci-Tech Laboratories in Shropshire – a specialist veterinary diagnostic facility.
“We are delighted to have Aisling on board to help develop our business,” says Nigel Patrick, managing director of Cawood. “We have long harboured an ambition to have a presence in Ireland, and this was the perfect opportunity. Land, animal and environmental managers are increasingly using analytical services to support their decision-making, and through our extended network we can now help customers across Ireland to access the tools they need.”
