Royalty & Politicians visit Byotrol
31st Oct 2011
Praise of the new government enterprise zone - Daresbury Science and Innovation campus - by His Royal Highness, The Duke of York, Prime Minister David Cameron and Universities and Science Minister David Willets, has given the science and technology community a huge boost.
Daresbury Science and Innovation campus, near Warrington, is at the heart of the Government’s science and innovation strategy to drive growth and received further high-level support on Friday when the Duke of York formally opened Vanguard House, a major new 3,300 sq m facility at the Campus.
During his address, the Duke highlighted the unique value of the Campus, where young high-tech companies can locate, nurture and grow their businesses amongst globally-leading science facilities.
The Duke of York is the Patron of the two National Science and Innovation Campuses and has played a pivotal role in promoting Daresbury campus companies to foreign investors.
The recognition of the ground-breaking work taking place at Vanguard House by the Duke of York echoes the words of Prime Minister David Cameron who said on his visit in August to award the campus enterprise zone status:
“It’s great to come here and see how people are really building and creating for the future.”
Both Mr Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne have talked of the importance they place on Technology and Innovation Centres where scientists and academics can work with entrepreneurs to turn brilliant inventions into successful products.
Universities and Science Minister David Willets also visited the site last week to brief tenants on how they will benefit from their slice of the £145m national scheme to boost the development of high powered ‘super computers’, announced in Manchester by Chancellor George Osborne.
HRH met the cutting-edge antimicrobial company Byotrol, who are one of the largest tenants at Vanguard House.
Vanguard House is the site where Byotrol developed and enhanced its patented antimicrobial technology which research has shown kills germs for longer than traditional technologies.
The unrivalled range of equipment and facilities allowed Byotrol to develop its hygiene technology to the level where it now thrives in a competitive global business environment and has outclassed traditional cleaning technologies.
Byotrol inventor and deputy chairman Stephen Falder said:
“Byotrol is close to global take-off. More and more business partners and customers now realise that our hygiene technology represents a step change in the fight against infection in all kinds of settings – from the home to the hospital and the food processing factory.
“This is the beginning of something very exciting and worthwhile, and I am delighted that the Duke of York recognised the next generation technologies being developed at Vanguard House and is playing such an important role in promoting our businesses as an attractive inward investment destination for foreign investors.
“The next generation discoveries being made at Vanguard House represent Britain’s future growth strategy. In times of uncertainty comes new ideas and innovations and I am delighted that the government has put Daresbury at the centre of its strategy.
The world class facilities at Vanguard provided Byotrol with the platform to launch in to the global market and attract international business and we believe we represent the future in the world of hygiene.”
The recognition by the Duke of York is another milestone in the progress of Byotrol, which is being snapped up by the UK’s largest retailers and used in their cleaning products.
Tesco took the bold move to use Byotrol in its own-brand cleaning range, challenging the market leaders such as Dettol, Flash and Mr Muscle in a market worth £285 million a year.
Byotrol is used in a range of Boots products, the Tommee Tippee range of baby care products, and Morning Fresh products from PZ Cussons in Africa.
Byotrol has also won a multi-million pound contract to supply business service group Rentokil's Initial Hygiene arm.
Byotrol will be used in the hand hygiene and surface sanitisation products for use by Initial in washrooms and kitchens across 16 European countries.
Gary Millar, chief executive of AIM-quoted Byotrol, said the Rentokil contract “will transform the way Byotrol's technology is recognised in the hygiene industry, where Initial's customers include governments, health and education organisations and large companies.”
Stephen Falder, the inventor of Byotrol, said: “Byotrol is a forward thinking hygiene technology which I believe has the power to change the lives of every single person on the planet.
Byotrol has teamed up with UK and international partners in ventures that will put Byotrol on the global map and promise cleaner and safer lives to people at home and abroad.”