The firm now has two full-service operations in Florida (Gainesville and Lakeland) providing food testing and consulting services to companies in the southeast region.
ABC Research will boost Mérieux NutriSciences’ services in nutritional testing and FDA detention services.
ABC Research is an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory, founded in 1967 by Dr William Brown, providing microbiology and chemistry services.
Since 2007, under the previous leadership of CEO and owner, Eric Graves, it has invested in methods and technologies, resulting in growth for the company.
Jim Miller, president of Mérieux NutriSciences North America, said the Gainesville laboratory will serve as a key strategic location for nutritional testing services.
“With the 2012 opening of our laboratory in Crete, Illinois, we significantly increased our chemistry testing capabilities,” he said.
“With the addition of ABC Research, we have taken our chemistry offerings to an even higher level enabling us to more rapidly respond to industry needs.”
On the acquisition trail
Mérieux NutriSciences bought the Randolph Companies after a shared history earlier this year.
Silliker Australia sealed the deal for DMG MicroLabs to enable it to tap into the ‘growing opportunity’ in the food testing market late last year.
Mérieux NutriSciences acquired a Turkish food testing laboratory to expand safety and quality services in October last year.
A month before, it bought majority stake in Sino Analytica, an independent food testing lab in China from Pacific Andes Group (Hong Kong).
The firm also purchased Total Quality Food Consultants, expanding its regulatory, scientific and marketing services in July 2014.
Philippe Sans, president and CEO of Mérieux NutriSciences, said: “ABC Research brings a long record of scientific excellence and innovation to our organization that will allow us to expand our portfolio of services to industry stakeholders.”
ABC Research will be transitioned into the Mérieux NutriSciences laboratory network.
Eric Graves said it was a ‘noteworthy day’ in the food testing industry.
“Both Silliker, the forerunner to Mérieux NutriSciences, and ABC Research opened for business in 1967 under the guidance of two notable scientists, the late Dr John H. Silliker and Dr William L. Brown,” he said.
“For years, we have shared a commitment to scientific innovation coupled with dedicated customer service. These shared philosophies will result in even more focused services and solutions for our customers.”
The Gainesville facility has 75 employees and a relationship with the University of Florida Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition to provide employment opportunities for students and graduates.