SPRINGDALE – Whitbeck Laboratories, Inc., a full-service independent commercial laboratory offering a unique mix of microbiology, chemistry and serology testing to an international clientele, has announced plans to construct a 7,500 square foot research and testing facility in the Springdale Technology Park.  The company broke ground on its new building at a ceremony January 20.

The company currently employs 19 at its existing facility, having added six new positions within the last two years. The new facility will allow the company to grow as the market’s testing needs increase. It’s microbiology lab will more than double in size as part of the new construction.

In 1989, A&A Laboratories of Springdale was acquired by Whitbeck Labs to add chemistry testing to the services it already provided. In 2012, Whitbeck Labs acquired The Poultry Federation laboratory located in Fayetteville to add the ability to perform serology assays. Whitbeck Laboratories holds a full National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) certification and is the nation’s largest, independent NPIP certified lab.

The new facility will almost double the amount of lab space currently available to the Springdale firm that was founded in 1978 by Gordon Whitbeck. Whitbeck Laboratories offers a comprehensive laboratory solution for the food and poultry industries, as well as diagnostic services for local veterinarians. The company works closely with food industry research and development companies, providing facilities and testing for product innovations and global consulting services.

“This new facility is the result of many years of planning,” said company President Gordon Whitbeck. “With the dramatic increase in food safety regulations and policies by federal regulators and food producers, we have seen a significant increase in the demand for the services our lab offers. Food safety is of the utmost concern for anyone in the food business. Our independent lab is a leading provider of on-time testing for many of the world’s largest food producers.”

An additional service of this new facility will be the ability for Whitbeck Laboratories to host training seminars required by the National Poultry Improvement Program (NPIP). Three such training centers in the United States are heavily used now. A training center in Springdale will provide an affordable and geographically convenient option for professionals that require certification and work in the central US.

Construction on the new testing facility, located at the southeast corner of Huntsville Avenue and Kawneer Drive in the Springdale Technology Park, is expected to be complete by mid-July.