Syngenta moves forward for long-term expansion plan

Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc., (SBI) announces it has completed moving into its newly leased, 100,000 square foot facility at Keystone Office Park. Moving into this new space concluded the first phase of a longer-term growth plan that will supplement the existing Cornwallis Drive facility, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last December.

SBI serves as the key North American location for plant gene technology research for Syngenta and employs over 400. The additional office building was leased in response to strong growth at the facility, with 60 percent of current employees hired in the past five years. SBI will occupy both locations until the current expansion plan is completed.

"As the biotechnology industry continues to grow, SBI is staying on top of the curve by expanding to meet customer and company needs," said Bill Hlavac, head of site operations for SBI. "This new space allows us to continue our day-to-day activities comfortably while providing the flexibility to renovate lab and other facilities at the Cornwallis location as needed."

The Keystone facility features a more open work environment with a variety of meeting areas designed to foster collaboration and teamwork. SBI will make the commute seamless with regular shuttles between the two sites during the workday.

The overall vision of the SBI expansion is to create an integrated campus for plant biotechnology research that supports the companys goal of helping to feed the growing world population. The company purchased 50 acres on Davis Drive, adjacent to its current site, in late 2009 to help facilitate the vision of a united campus by creating expansion options. The Keystone site will serve as an interim solution until the campus is fully developed.

"Our expansion plan remains flexible, but with Keystone and Davis Drive we have a number of options available to us," said Hlavac. "We can now focus on how to best meet our customers needs here in the Triangle, where we will continue to be a part of the community for a long time to come."