News
ORCHID CELLMARK SIGNS CONTRACTS TO PROVIDE FORENSIC SERVICES FOR U.K. POLICE FORCES UNDER NEWLY-AWARDED REGIONAL FORENSIC TENDER
April 30th, 2008
As a Result of its Success in the North West/South West and Wales Regional Tender, the Company Has Begun Providing the Police with Forensic Services That Have a Potential Value of £5 Million Annually.
Orchid Cellmark Inc. (Nasdaq: ORCH), a leading worldwide provider of identity DNA testing services, today announced that it has signed contracts and started DNA testing and other forensic services work with a number of U.K. police forces. This work was awarded to Cellmark Forensic Services under the new North West/South West and Wales regional forensic tender after a rigorous and competitive bidding process.
Cellmark Forensic Services (CFS) has been awarded three-year contracts, each extendable for a further two years, to provide forensic services, including DNA testing of database crime scene samples, forensic casework and PACE samples (Police and Criminal Evidence Act DNA) for multiple police forces that have collectively tendered their work. CFS has already started DNA testing work for some of these police force customers and is currently preparing to begin servicing the others. Orchid Cellmark has recently strengthened its infrastructure to reinforce its competitiveness and provide expanded operational capabilities under the new system.
Thomas Bologna, Orchid Cellmark President and Chief Executive Officer said, “We are extremely pleased that this long awaited regional award has finally come to fruition. To date, we have been awarded contracts to conduct DNA and other forensic services for multiple police forces in the region, with a potential revenue value of approximately £5 million annually. To support this expected business growth as well as future growth, as previously announced, CFS will be building a new regional facility in North West England in order to provide the best service possible to our new customers.” Mr. Bologna added, “We anticipate that the remaining police forces in the U.K. will tender their forensics work starting later this year or early next year and we intend to compete for their business, as well.”
About Orchid Cellmark
Cellmark Forensic Services is a registered name of Orchid Cellmark Ltd, part of Orchid Cellmark Inc, a leading International provider of DNA testing services for human identity testing and agricultural applications. In the human identity area, the company provides DNA testing services for forensic investigation, paternity testing and family relationship analysis, and security applications. In the agriculture field, Orchid Cellmark provides DNA testing services for selective trait breeding. Orchid Cellmark's strong market positions in these segments reflect the company's accredited laboratories in the U.S. and U.K., its innovative genetic analysis technologies and expertise, and the world-renowned Cellmark brand that has been associated with exceptional quality, reliability and customer service for nearly two decades. More information on Orchid Cellmark Ltd can be found at www.orchidcellmark.co.uk. More information on Orchid Cellmark Inc. can be found at www.orchid.com
