The global Scientific Instrument group Techcomp is adding a further 20 scientists and engineers based at their Livingston production and R&D centre.

Following the acquisition of Edinburgh Instruments in 2013, Techcomp is transferring R&D activity from Scion Instruments in San Francisco to their campus in Livingston and is setting up the Techcomp Research and Engineering Centre (TREC) to develop a new range of instruments.

The announcement underlines the confidence that the company has in the local workforce and being able to attract scientists and engineers to their Livingston base. Techcomp Europe’s CEO Chris O’Connor commented:

“Since investing in Edinburgh Instruments, we have been impressed with the skills and capabilities of the scientists and engineers in Scotland. This has motivated us to transfer jobs from other locations and to choose Livingston as the centre for our latest investment in group R&D that will support operations in the USA, China, France and Switzerland. In total we will have 35 highly educated and experienced R&D staff working on our spectroscopy and chromatography product developments. By combining these activities in one location, this has allowed us to invest in a high tech R&D laboratory with the latest 3D printing, machining, and testing facilities for mechanical, electronic and software prototyping”.

Edinburgh Instruments was established in 1972 and specialises in using fluorescence photon counting technology in materials and life science research. The business now employs 80 staff and exports 90% of their systems to prestigious universities and research centres across the globe. Scion Instruments specialises in Gas Chromatography and Mass Spec sciences for analysing petrochemical and environmental samples. TREC will develop a range of molecular spectroscopy products for research.

Mr O’Connor added, “West Lothian is a wonderful region and Livingston is a vibrant town, easily accessible for staff based in Edinburgh and Glasgow and is close to the airport for our engineers that need to visit international customers. Scottish universities have world class programs developing physics and engineering skills that are essential for our product development. These factors together with the quality of life in Scotland have all contributed to our commitment and investment.”