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Irish Post
04-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Galway-based contract laboratory announces ambitious multi-million-euro training programme
A CONTRACT laboratory based in Galway has announced a multi-million-euro training programme as part of its transition to a multinational enterprise. Founded in 1994, Complete Laboratory Solutions (CLS) is the highest-accredited Irish-led contract laboratory. Its clients include global leaders in the medical device, pharmaceutical, environmental and food and beverage industries. The company is transitioning from a medium-sized enterprise to an Irish-led multinational capable of delivering a full suite of strategic solutions that drive client growth, efficiency and effectiveness. As part of the growth plans, it is embarking on a significant training programme to further enhance its service offerings to include quality assurance, regulatory affairs, training and consultancy. The €9.9m training programme, supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland. will see all CLS staff upskilled over the next two years as the company prepares to embark on its next phase of growth. This will involve CLS expanding into new markets including semiconductors, engineering and the green and coastal economy. 'Exceptional service on a global scale' "We are thrilled to realise our vision of scaling Complete Laboratory Solutions into a multinational enterprise, enabling us to offer a broader range of services to both our existing clients and new partners," said CEO Evelyn O'Toole. "This expansion allows us to enhance our capabilities in driving growth, efficiency and effectiveness across multiple industries. "The support from IDA Ireland will be instrumental in this journey, providing the resources and expertise necessary to accelerate our growth and strengthen our commitment to delivering exceptional service on a global scale." CLS has a proven track record in sample management, testing, validation, training and laboratory resourcing. Its expansion aims to meet the evolving needs of industry, while positioning the company for future growth. The groundwork is already in place, with new capabilities and accelerators supported by the training fund driving growth. "I am delighted that Complete Laboratory Solutions (CLS) is committing to invest over €9m in upskilling their staff in Ireland," said Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland. "Transformation is a key component of IDA Ireland's new strategy – 'Adapt Intelligently', and it is through upskilling that companies can future proof and remain competitive. "This ambitious programme will benefit not only the staff, CLS, but also the medical technology industry in Ireland." Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment added: "CLS is one of the shining stars of the science sector in the West of Ireland and the strategic expansion of the company, with the support of IDA Ireland through my department, is a major boost for Galway." See More: Complete Laboratory Solutions, Galway, IDA Ireland
Irish Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Quality control and regulatory affairs business CLS commits €9m as it expands horizons
Galway-based Complete Laboratory Solutions (CLS) is investing €9 million in staff training as it expands into new sectors and eyes up the prospects for international expansion. The privately-owned business specialises in contract sampling and testing for the food, environmental, medical device and pharmaceuticals industries, either in one of its two laboratories or at one of 20 clients sites manned by its analysts. The group also offers services in regulatory affairs, training and consultancy and works with some of the biggest names in the medical device, pharmaceutical, environmental, food and beverage industries, with clients including Medtronic, Lilly, Abbott, Johnson & Johnson, Diageo, SuperValu, Supermacs, Boston Scientific and St Vincent's Private Hospital. The new investment comes as CLS looks to expand into new markets including semiconductors, engineering, the green and coastal economy. READ MORE The business was founded by Evelyn O'Toole in Ros Muc a week after she was made redundant in the early 1990s after the laboratory she had been working in burnt down. 'This is a business that was born of necessity,' said Ms O'Toole, 'All my competition was global but we have now got to where we are the go-to, especially for companies coming into Ireland. Despite the growing international focus of the business, CLS remains committed to its Connemara roots. 'I come from the middle of nowhere where small employers mean a lot, creating hope in a rural setting where, at times, there is little hope,' she said. 'When I lost my job back then, there weren't many chances. I really wanted to change that.' CLS, which now employs 270 people at its Ros Muc headquarters as well as at sites in Galway and Dublin, reported revenue of almost €16 million in 2023, the most recent year for which accounts are filed. Phenna Group, the UK company of serial entrepreneur Peter Dubens, which focuses on testing, inspections, certification and compliance is a significant investor in the business. 'We are thrilled to realise our vision of scaling Complete Laboratory Solutions into a multinational enterprise, enabling us to offer a broader range of services to both our existing clients and new partners,' Ms O'Toole said, adding that CLS had recently become an IDA Ireland client, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke said the announcement was great news for CLS, 'enabling the company to scale into a multinational enterprise that can offer a complete range of services'. 'CLS is one of the shining stars of the science sector in the west of Ireland,' he said. IDA Ireland chief executive, Michael Lohan said: 'This ambitious programme will benefit not only the staff, CLS, but also the medical technology industry in Ireland.'' CLS said its strategic expansion aimed to meet the evolving needs of industry, while positioning the company for future growth. 'It will allow us to provide new services to existing clients, who have been very loyal,' she said, pointing to a retention rate of close to 100 per cent. The company says it is committed to developing a sustainable, highly skilled workforce to support 'these dynamic and rapidly evolving sectors'. 'We need to stay ahead, we need to be the best in class in labs,' she said.
