Poultry testing facility opens new lab in Springdale Tech Park
by January 16, 2017 1:43 pm 220 views
Whitbeck Laboratories has opened a new, 7,500-square-foot research and testing facility in the Springdale Technology Park, at the southeast corner of Huntsville Avenue and Kawneer Drive.
The Springdale-based, full-service independent commercial laboratory specializes in the poultry industry and has been in business since 1978, founded by Gordon Whitbeck.
The new facility will almost double the amount of lab space available to the company and will allow the company to hire about 10 people in the next few years. Between 2014 and now, Whitbeck Labs has added a handful of positions. The company employs about 20.
Whitbeck Labs works closely with food industry research and development companies, providing facilities and testing for product innovations and global consulting services in the fields of microbiology, chemistry and serology testing to an international clientele, according to the company.
The new facility will also allow Whitbeck Labs to start host training seminars required by the National Poultry Improvement Program, according to the press release.
Springdale Technology Park is a 34-acre development that provides an affordable solution for tech-based, knowledge-driven companies, according to the Springdale Chamber of Commerce website.
Fellow Springdale companies NanoMech and Tyson Foods Inc. also have a presence at the tech park, owning 8.8 acres and 10.7 acres, respectively. The rest of the tech park has not yet been developed, said Bill Rogers, vice president for communications and special projects at the chamber.
Whitbeck Labs will host a grand opening ceremony at 11 a.m. on Wednesday (Jan. 18).
The lab was previously located at 1000 Backus Ave. in Springdale.