History

In 1974 the National Physical Laboratory discontinued its Microanalytical Programme, which had been lead by Mrs Doris Butterworth. This resulted in her starting an independent private company to continue providing Elemental Microanalytical services to the same high level of quality and customer service in the same year. The company was originally named Butterworth Microanalytical Consultancy.

Responding to the need to provide more than the classical elemental microanalysis services of Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Sulphur and Halogens analysis, the company expanded the range of instrumental techniques to include Ion and Gas Chromatography and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. With this expansion, Butterworth Laboratories Ltd was launched in 1976 and provided the firm foundation from which the company has expanded its range of services.

With the need for more space, the company moved to the present site in 1980 leasing the single story section of the building (~4000sq ft). During this period the company set up a Microbiology facility and expanded the range of techniques to include HPLC and GC-MS to meet the demands of the Environmental sector.

With the recession in the Construction Industry in the late 1980’s and the privatisation of the Water industry the company shifted its focus to servicing the Pharmaceutical Industry.
Becoming GLP Compliant in 1989 and successfully passeing the first GMP Inspection in 1994. This was pivotal in the continued expansion of the company.

Again the need for more space prompted the purchase of the freehold of the entire property (~10,000sq ft) in 1996, which included an expansion into the two story section of the building, allowing for new Chromatography and Elemental Microanalysis laboratories to be produced as well as additional office space.

During 1999 the decision was made to close the Microbiology laboratory to allow the company to concentrate on its core business of providing Contract Analytical Chemistry services.

Looking to the future, Butterworth Laboratories Ltd are committed to remaining fully independent whilst maintaining and expanding the range of services they currently provide.

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