History
Equine and Ovine Blood Products was a family partnership founded in 1978 with a contract to supply sterile Horse and Sheep blood to Gibco BRL in Paisley. Over the next eleven years the business grew as Gibco secured a high percentage of the market share in the UK clinical sector for both animal blood products and some of the first commercially prepared poured plates. In 1989 an American directive determined the sale of the clinical microbiology division of Gibco's UK operation. This left E&O without a contract. After six months exposure to political and corporate turmoil, a financial crisis split the family partnership and E&O Laboratories Ltd was launched as an entrepreneurial gamble for the owner Virginia Lucey.
Having successfully gained credibility within the clinical sector for sterile animal blood products, E&O diversified its product range to include the manufacture of ready prepared culture media.
This was a major stepping-stone in the company's growth and offered further opportunities for export into mainland Europe and the Middle East. Over the next five years the company concentrated on increasing sales and developing quality systems in line with business needs. E&O were recognised as Investors in People, gained BS EN.ISO9002:1994 accreditation and increased the staffing level to over 50 employees.
Following the millennium celebrations E&O's strategic team planned further business diversification into the food and industrial sectors. Following the acquisition of a local food testing business and it's relocation to Burnhouse. E&O Diagnostics Ltd was launched as a UKAS accredited analytical laboratory servicing the food, industrial and developing environmental business sectors. This service was further enhanced in 2004 with the addition of a chemical division.
Further product diversification into the Industrial and Pharmaceutical market followed the successful acquisition of Fred Baker / Biotrace International’s operation in Runcorn in early 2008.
The E&O group presently employs 80 highly motivated professional staff. Both the manufacturing and analytical laboratories are situated in a beautiful rural setting with state of the art equipment. A totally modernised and converted farmhouse offers conference and training facilities plus all the office accommodation.
The group will continue to grow organically, with further diversification into new and developing markets. Our culture is lead by innovation, encompassing the highest family values with professional business practice at all times.
Virginia Lucey - Managing Director
