A company which carries out DNA tests for guests on the Jeremy Kyle Show is celebrating a record year after revenues rose 16 per cent to £4.2 million.
Biotech firm AlphaBiolabs, founded in 2004, carries out DNA and drug and alcohol testing for individuals, businesses, solicitors, social services, the media and universities.
The company’s growth was fuelled by increased demand for its workplace drug and alcohol testing services, while it also secured a number of significant contracts in the transport, manufacturing and local government sectors.
It also introduced an ankle bracelet – SCRAM CAM – which continuously tests for the presence of consumed alcohol in perspiration every 30 minutes, which could be used by local authorities, courts and child protection agencies to obtain information.
The firm, which has its headquarters and laboratory in Warrington, has 45 staff and a network of sample collectors around the country as well as nine walk-in centres around the country.
It expanded into Ireland with the launch of a dedicated website and an office in Dublin this year.
“We are delighted to achieve our highest-ever annual sales,” said founder and managing director David Thomas (pictured above).
“We are really seeing the benefits of our investment in workplace testing, SCRAM CAM and other areas of the business.
“This gives us great confidence for the future and we are aiming to double in size over the next three years, by further expanding our range of services in the UK and overseas, and by developing our network of sample collectors and walk-in centres.”
AlphaBiolabs won a Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2016.