Economic development alive and well

Signpost photo by Wendy Spence
From left, Deputy Mayor Marcel Meyer, manager of economic development for Middlesex County Aileen Murray, Ward 1 Councillor Mike Bontje, Mayor Jim Maudsley, Ward 2 Councillor Chris Patterson, Diagnostics Biochem Canada chief executive officer Manon Hogue, her husband Pierre Yves Verville and Ward 3 Councillor Angelo Suffoletta at a media conference at the new DBC location on Byron Avenue in Dorchester.

    Thames Centre Mayor Jim Maudsley is excited about the giant steps forward the municipality has taken over the past two years. In 2010, Armatec Survivability relocated from London to Dorchester. Economic development was determined as a priority at a goal setting session in April 2011. It was just announced that Diagnostics Biochem Canada (DBC) is moving their offices from the forest city to Dorchester.
    The company is a world leader in developing diagnostic test kits that are sold worldwide. They had outgrown their headquarters on Hargrieve Road in London as the number of doctors on staff grew from eight to 21 over the last few years.
    Chief executive officer Manon Hogue was looking for a new, larger location for the business she purchased four years ago. Someone suggested that she consider Dorchester. When she had a look at the former Etynomic Design building on Byron Avenue, it was love at first sight. Hogue realized the building was perfect and loved the Mill Pond area in the backyard so much, that she decided to move in to the house next door as well as the building. She knew the relaxed setting would be the perfect environment for the doctors and if they got stuck while researching or developing a product, they could take a break and regenerate while enjoying the natural setting.
    Another benefit of the relocation is that taxes are lower in Thames Centre than in London.
    Hogue grew up in Montreal and completed an education in business. Her first business was a moving company. Hogue and husband Pierre Yves Verville, who is chief financial executive of DBC, are looking forward to becoming active members of their new community. At a media conference held at the company’s new headquarters on Thursday, Hogue expressed her enthusiasm about the transition. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to locate our world class life sciences company to the Municipality of Thames Centre. Construction of the new home of DBC has commenced and we look forward to moving into our new facilities later this spring.”
    Municipal staff members helped facilitate finding a new location for Etynomic Design. They have settled into their brand new building in the Da Vinci Business Park, neighbouring Armatec Survivability. The municipality also worked in conjunction with DBC and local real estate agent Wayne Jewell to make sure all parties were happy with the transaction.
    Dr. G. Dumont in London founded DBC in 1973. The company is a manufacturer of in vitro diagnostic test kits. More specifically, they manufacture Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays that are able to quantify the level of specific molecules in human blood samples. The kits are sold through a distributor to customers, including hospitals and laboratories.
    It is hoped that the necessary renovations to the DBC building will be completed by the end of the month. Maudsley said he was happy that they chose Dorchester for their new home. “We are most pleased that we can welcome DBC and Manon into the Thames Centre business community.”