06 Jul Mérieux NutriSciences acquires specialist SA dairy lab
Mérieux NutriSciences (formerly known as Swift Silliker) has expanded its SA footprint with acquisition of Lactolab, a leading analytical laboratory serving dairy and dairy related industries.
“The acquisition of Lactolab arose from a necessity for the geographic expansion of our offering to the South African dairy industry, following the overwhelming success of our raw milk testing laboratory which opened in Jeffreys Bay in 2015.” says Valmé Stewart, MD of Mérieux NutriSciences in South Africa.
Philippe Sans, president and CEO of Mérieux NutriSciences, added: “The purchase of Lactolab, whose name is synonymous with dairy expertise in South Africa, enables us to extend our dairy testing offering to our clients and the industry in the north of the country.” Established in 2002, Lactolab utilises cutting-edge instruments and technology in the analysis of raw milk and dairy products for composition, hygienic quality and various other quality parameters.
Lactolab’s services will continue to be offered from its current premises in Centurion, Gauteng, based at the ARC campus. In addition, its existing staff contingent of seven will be retained and become part Mérieux NutriSciences’ pool of 6,500 employees.
“The Lactolab staff bring with them a wealth of experience and expertise, which will now be built upon as they gain access to our state-of-the-art research, methodologies and global services,” adds Stewart.