A little bit of history...
Link Technologies Ltd began operations in 1989 in laboratories within Glasgow University with an initial emphasis on the provision of reagents for DNA synthesis. In 1992 the Company expanded to occupy custom-equipped laboratories in Cumbernauld near Glasgow. In 2000 we moved to newly-built premises at the Strathclyde Business Park in central Scotland, and in 2008 the upgrading of these facilities to include kilo-scale laboratories was completed.
Initially the Company operated primarily as a contract manufacturer with a number of key clients, however in 2001 we launched our first catalogue of reagents offering our manufactured products direct to customers. Since then the catalogue has grown to hundreds of products, many of them unique to us, whilst our custom and contract business goes from strength to strength.
Throughout this expansion, the Company goal has remained the same: to provide the unique link between scientists working in the life sciences and the chemical tools and technologies that they require. Such a bridge forms the basis of the multi-disciplinary approach vital to the growing biotechnology industry.
Link now boasts a strong portfolio of joint-venture development projects and research collaborations with a number of companies and research institutions worldwide.
The Company has been continually recognised as amongst the fastest growing hi-tech companies in Scotland by the Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 50 programme, and is also the proud winner of three UK Government Department of Trade & Industry SMART (Small firms Merit Award for Research and Technology) awards.
The Company is, and always has been, independently owned and financed.
Facilities
Link Technologies operates from a single 7500 sq. ft. custom-built facility at the Strathclyde Business Park in Bellshill, central Scotland. In 2008 the upgrading of these facilities to include 2 large-scale laboratories was completed, giving the company the ability to manufacture from small, development scale right up to the kilo scale required by larger clients.
Our QC operation, associated QA quarantine areas, and our product and process development laboratories are housed in defined areas of the facility separate from routine manufacturing.
We can offer a full range of analytical methods to support our products, and also operate a range of oligonucleotide synthesis instruments (ABI, MerMade, Expedite) as part of product testing and development.
Our Quality Guarantee
Our ISO 9001:2000 certified quality management system ensures everything we do from production to delivery runs smoothly, consistently and efficiently providing the highest standard of service every time. All production batches undergo stringent QC and QA testing, with a controlled batch records system and full materials traceability throughout. Customer sales, enquiries and technical support are handled by a fully managed CRM system, and we track orders right up until delivery. A controlled document management system is used throughout.
Investors in People
Link Technologies is committed to the training and development of staff at all levels. We were awarded Investors In People status (www.investorsinpeople.co.uk) in 1998. We have successfully used this programme as a means of staff development ever since, being re-accredited on a three-yearly cycle, most recently in 2007.
Society & The Environment
At Link Technologies we are very much aware of our responsibility to the environment and consider the impact of our operations on society very seriously. We strive to minimise our waste production and maximise recycling at all times – whether in our laboratories, canteen, or paper for our marketing materials.
Of course, chemical production will always produce waste but we always ensure that the hazardous material element of what waste we do produce is properly contained and dealt with responsibly.
We also have an annual charities budget that supports charitable organisations chosen by our staff, including Cancer Research UK (www.cancerresearchuk.org), and a local centre for children with motor impairments, the Craighalbert Centre(www.craighalbert.org.uk).
