An Ely branch of a food and pharmaceutical testing firm is expecting to create up to 15 new jobs when it opens a £2 million extension in September.

ALS, which has its UK hub based in Chatteris but has a testing laboratory on the Cambridgeshire Business Park, is celebrating years of success – including being named as the Society of Food Hygiene and Technology’s best food and hygiene company for three consecutive years - by extending their current laboratory, which could see staff members increase from 30 to 45.

Chatteris site general manager, Adam Rush, says it’s an exciting time for the company.

“We are continuing to expand our business to meet the growing demand from our client base”, he said.

“Our investment in Ely will double our testing capacity, enabling us to attract new business. Since the vast majority of staff at Ely and Chatteris are drawn from the Fenland area, this expansion will create further exciting career opportunities for potential employees in the county.”

Australia-based company ALS tests food and drink products from over 1,500 companies across the world and has operations at 350 locations in 55 countries.