Farnham Company Biocompatibles UK – has gone to greener pastures in Ireland and Gordon Murray Designs has ditched its plan to build a new multi-million headquarters at Dunsfold Park and has gone to Windlesham?
The Farnham medical technology company once operated with a large workforce from the Farnham Business Park. The medical technology company works in the field of drug-device combination products and was acquired by BTG plc – the pharmaceutical giant in 2010.
Approved oncology products were supplied and marketed from its facilities in the Farnham Industrial Estate in Weydon Lane and in Oxford, Connecticut in the USA. Now the company is moving to Ireland.
Biocompatibles announced in 2018 an R&D agreement with US firm Boston Scientific Corp to develop its main product, a coated surgical stent, in the areas of vascular and arterial-venous grafts. Since then it has gone from strength to strength.
The company signed distribution deals with firms in France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Argentina, Slovenia and the Czech Republic to market its stents.
In 2011 BTG ACQUIRED BIOCOMPATIBLES UK -Boston Scientific as part of its strategy of acquiring niche, high-value products targeting the specialist hospital market.
At the time it said: “ This is an excellent opportunity to combine its commercial infrastructure with Biocompatibles’ specialist products.” The enhanced resources of the enlarged group will allow accelerated investment in Biocompatibles’ products and development pipeline. The addition of revenues from Biocompatibles was expected to increase BTG’s full-year revenues by about £5m from its previous guidance of £93m to £97m.
Louise Makin, BTG’s chief executive, said:
“Through the acquisition we are creating a growing, financially robust, international specialist healthcare business.”
The industrial side of Dunsfold Park was all set to welcome the impressive Headquarters of the Gordon Murray Group. Then Oops off its goes to Windelsham – leaving behind just the manufacturing facility at Dunsfold Park.
Was the long delay in getting the go-ahead for the new Garden Village, behind its decision to go elsewhere?
The car designer recently unveiled a £250m expansion of its automotive business as it taps the burgeoning demand for electric vehicles.
Mohr Davidow is pumping the money into The Gordon Murray Group in addition to £50m the venture capitalist has already committed to fund the new headquarters for the company.
A scheme was approved by Waverley planners for a new headquarters in 2019.
The new UK headquarters that was planned for Dunsfold Park – and which is now in Windlesham!
Over the next five years, the business will increase research and development and create a division focused on design and engineering for environmentally-friendly electric vehicles. This will also include developing electric power trains that will be used by global car companies. The company expects to generate another 200 jobs at its base in Windlesham and at Dunsfold where the manufacturing is carried out.
Hailed as one of the premier automotive designers Prof Murray was behind the McLaren F1 road car and also claimed five Formula 1 championship as technical director of the Brabham and McLaren racing teams.