Beckman Coulter to Shutter, Relocate Palo Alto Plant to Indianapolis in '08

Beckman Coulter will shutter and relocate its plant in Palo Alto, Calif., by the end of 2008 as part of a cost-cutting strategy, the company said today.

Beckman said it will relocate the assets from the facility to the Indianapolis area, where the company currently houses other discovery and automation products.  

 

The Palo Alto plant, which employs 220 staffers, develops and manufactures centrifuges for the company's Discover and Automation segment. It was not immediately clear whether there will be lay-offs.

 

Pam Miller, supply chain vice president, said the move to Indianapolis will allow the company to "aggressively manage our costs" and take "a longer-term view of work force planning."

 

The company said moving the facility to Indiana will lower its operational costs because of the "favorable local business environment." Also, the location will enhance the company's presence in the region and enable Beckman to take advantage of the state’s efforts to "focus on life sciences and advanced manufacturing."

 

Miller said the decision to leave Palo Alto was difficult because of the "excellent" staff and the company's "long history in the area."

 

Source from GenomeWeb Daily News