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Invitrogen Shutters Huntsville Center, 175 Laid Off

Apr 26, 2002

NEW YORK, April 26-Invitrogen said yesterday that it would close its Huntsville, Ala. manufacturing center.

 

That center produced custom synthetic DNA, peptides, and antibodies; cDNA libraries; and microsatellite markers.

 

Invitrogen took over the Huntsville center when it acquired Research Genetics in February 2000.

 

Huntsville bioinformatics, genomic services and technical services operations will be moved to Carlsbad, Calif. The company will move its oligonucleotide production to Frederick, Md.

 

The Huntsville center currently employs more than 200 people. Invitrogen said that roughly 175 would be laid off, and the company would offer to relocate some staff to other facilities.

 

Closing down the center will reduce Invitrogen's annual operating costs by $8 million to $10 million, the company said.

 

The company expects the decision will result in a one-time $14 to $19 million charge in the second quarter, and an earnings per share charge of 16 to 21 cents.

 

On May 3, the company plans to open a 320,000 square foot manufacturing and distribution center in Carlsbad.

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