02/06/2010
AWTA Acquires Perth Food Laboratory
Australian Wool Testing Authority Ltd (AWTA Ltd) has acquired the Perth based food testing business Inman & Farrell and the water, soil and plant testing business Agro‑Nutritional Research Laboratory from Infa Pty Ltd.
Mr Michael Jackson, AWTA Ltd’s Managing Director said: “As a consequence of the decline in Australian wool production over the past decade, AWTA Ltd has adopted a policy of expanding its operations through diversification into related testing markets. This includes the purchase of Agrifood Technology, a Victorian based grain and food testing business in 2008 and more recently, acquiring the rights to the commercial fodder testing laboratory FeedTest under a licensing arrangement with the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.”
AWTA’s new business is currently located at Malaga near Perth and has provided chemical analysis to Western Australian customers since 1945. In that time they have provided analytical services to the Local Health Authorities Analytical Committee (LHAAC) as well as to private clients.
“The purchase of Inman & Farrell and Agro Nutritional Research Laboratory continues the diversification of AWTA into related areas where independent testing is a necessary part of the value chain. We are pleased to be able to expand the range of services that the Company offers to Western Australian industry by adding food, water, soil, plant and fodder analysis to our existing wool testing operation” Mr Jackson said. “Inman & Farrell and Agro-Nutritional Research Laboratory will continue to operate under their existing names, but they now form part of our Agrifood Technology business, providing them with a greater presence in Western Australia. For a short time, the laboratory will remain at its present location in Malaga before being relocated to AWTA’s wool testing facility at Bibra Lake. This move is likely to take place in July 2010” Mr Jackson said.
Key laboratory staff from Inman & Farrell and Agro Nutritional Research Laboratory will transfer to AWTA as part of the acquisition.