International firm opens new UK headquarters in Derby

Swedish-owned medical technology firm Getinge has officially opened its new UK headquarters in Derby on a business park created by St. Modwen Logistics.

The international healthcare and science firm has launched the new head office and training centre at St. Modwen Park Derby.

Creating 30 jobs,  the 79,000 sq ft base features a Global Centre of Excellence for Chemistry – and will see doctors, nurses, chemists and science experts from all over the UK visit the new building near Pride Park to learn and discover new technologies within the healthcare industry.

Robert Richardson, development director at St. Modwen Logistics, said: “We are thrilled to finally be able to welcome another great manufacturer into St. Modwen Park Derby.

“This deal would also not have been possible were it not for the support received by Marketing Derby and Derby City Council and we must also express our gratitude and thanks to them for their efforts.”

John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, said: “We are delighted to see yet another major international name officially open for business in Derby.

“Ourselves and Derby City Council worked closely with St. Modwen Logistics to land this investment, which brings more high quality jobs to the city.

“Derby is an attractive proposition to international companies – and we wish Getinge well in their stunning new headquarters.”

Bob Newsome, managing director at the Global Centre of Excellence for Chemistry, said: “The new facility provides the very best environment for us to take full advantage of the combined competencies in chemistry and machine technology from within our organisation.

“We are confident that this will drive innovation, resulting in new products and improved solutions that compliment market trends and customer needs.”

Getinge’s new premises bring together its chemistry and instrument decontamination business, as well as its UK sales offices and logistics operations.

The Global Centre of Excellence for Chemistry will help microbiologists and full-time chemists create new products and solutions for the healthcare industry and train the next generation of scientific professionals.

The firm first established a presence in Derby in 2020, when it acquired Quadralene.

Its arrival at St. Modwen Park Derby was revealed by Paul Simpson, chief executive at Derby City Council, at Marketing Derby’s Annual Business Event last year.

According to Councillor Baggy Shanker, leader of the city council, Getinge’s investment in the city highlights Derby’s “growing appeal” as a “prime investment destination”.

To date, St. Modwen Park Derby is proving popular, particularly with international companies.

Around about the same time it was revealed that Getinge was to take space at the business park, German-owned heating technology specialist Vaillant announced it was to establish a facility at St. Modwen Park Derby to manufacture heat pumps.

Since then, global car brand Kia has also established a UK training academy at the site.

Innes England is marketing St. Modwen Park Derby alongside Savills.

Last week, the agent held its annual Market Insite Derby event at Derby County’s Pride Park Stadium.

Within its Market Insite report, Innes England said that St. Modwen Park Derby was helping to “redress historically low levels of Grade A accommodation in Derby”.