General contractor PC Construction, Lavallee Brensinger Architects and dignitaries from across the state joined IDEXX Laboratories' CEO Jonathan Ayers on April 3 to celebrate the ground breaking of a $35 million expansion at the company's corporate headquarters at the Five Star Industrial Park off Eisenhower Dr. The project is expected to be completed in August 2013. IDEXX has been a tenant in the park since 1991.
Senator Susan Collins, congresswoman Chellie Pingree, congressman Michael Michaud, governor Paul LePage and other officials were on hand to celebrate the success of this home-grown bioscience firm that now employs more than 1,800 people in Maine and 5,000 worldwide.
"IDEXX's decision to expand in Maine and create new jobs is welcome news for our state," said Collins. "This new facility demonstrates the company's strong growth, even in challenging economic times, and is a testament to the world-class caliber of Maine's workforce."
"The design of IDEXX's new headquarters provided an extraordinary opportunity to re-invent the modern American workplace. Everything from broad planning and organizational concepts, down to room configurations, furnishings, and details has been inspired by IDEXX's commitment to employee collaboration, productivity, and wellness. We truly expect the new IDEXX to become a model for others to follow," said Barry Brensinger, principal, Lavallee Brensinger.
According to Tony Giampetruzzi, IDEXX corporate communications, the expansion will include a new 107,700 s/f, three-story corporate administrative facility, which will accommodate up to 300 additional employees to support future growth. The new facility will also be the first certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building in Westbrook. An additional 100+ new trade jobs will be generated regionally to support the construction phase of the facility.
Commenting on the project, Westbrook city administrator Jerre Bryant said, "IDEXX isn't just the city of Westbrook's largest employer and fourth largest taxpayer, it is a cornerstone of our future growth and economic development."
Jim Harnden, president of the Greater Portland Economic Development Corp. agreed with Bryant on the importance of IDEXX to the state and the region. "IDEXX is one of Greater Portland's largest employers and a catalyst in our growing bioscience industry cluster," said Harnden. "The success of IDEXX is a tribute to their insightful and strategic understanding of their market and the delivery of outstanding product. We are so pleased with their commitment to Westbrook, the Greater Portland region and the state."
IDEXX Laboratories is a global market leader in diagnostics and information technology solutions for animal health and water and milk quality. The company began on the Portland waterfront with fewer than 10 employees in 1984. By 2006 the company acquired the building at IDEXX Dr. and embarked on an $80 million, 375,000 s/f construction and renovation project. With the company nearing 100% capacity, more space was needed to accommodate growth. In 2010, they announced the expansion that led to the April 2012 ground breaking.
Demonstrating the company's continued growth, the latest reported revenues showed IDEXX Laboratories' increasing 10% from the first quarter of 2011 to the first quarter of 2012.
In a statement released by IDEXX, CEO Ayers said, "We are proud to grow in Maine and to continue to give back to the state by creating good jobs and contributing to our many communities through programs like Global IDEXX Volunteer Efforts, which gives all full- and part-time employees two paid days each year to volunteer at a charity of their choice. Through a combination of quality products and services for our customers, as well as our commitment to the health and well-being of our employees and the communities where we work, IDEXX is making the world a better place."