KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Global animal health company, Simcro, announced today that it will locate its North American headquarters in Lawrence, Kansas, in the KC Animal Health Corridor. Based in New Zealand, Simcro develops pharmaceutical delivery systems for production and companion animals.
"Kansas City is the Animal Health Corridor; it has everything we need to be successful in this market, including the concentration of talent and customer base." said Andrew Shepherd, president at Simcro North America. "Making the move on our own would have been a monumental undertaking, but Kim Young and the Kansas City Area Development Council team were there to assist us every step of the way."
"Today, companies with a U.S. headquarters located in the Corridor represent 29 percent of the worldwide sales of animal health products and diagnostics," said Bob Marcusse, president and CEO of KCADC. "We are thrilled to add Simcro to this globally unique industry concentration."
Simcro will lease space at the Bioscience and Technology Business Center (BTBC) in Lawrence, Kansas, for three years. The company foresees a rapid expansion, and will begin hiring new employees immediately.
The Riverside Company's investment in Simcro in 2013 accelerated plans for Simcro to extend its global footprint. Since North America accounts for a third of the global animal health market, Shepherd is excited about the opportunity to open an office in this area, which will allow the company to be closer to current customers and new product development opportunities.
"Simcro is a terrific addition to the Animal Health Corridor and we couldn't be happier to have them open their North American Operations in the area," said G.R. Underwood, president at the BTBC. "This region has a wealth of assets that make it a premier destination not only for animal health companies, but also life science companies of all types. We're very enthused to have Simcro here and look forward to watching them grow."
"This is a tremendous win not only for the BTBC and the Animal Health Corridor, but for the Lawrence Community," said Lawrence Chamber CEO and EDC President, Larry McElwain. "We are extraordinarily pleased that Simcro chose Lawrence, Kansas to be the base for their North American Operations and we look forward to their continued success."
The Kansas City Area Development Council partnered with a number of regional organizations to attract Simcro to Kansas City including the Kansas Department of Commerce; Lawrence Chamber of Commerce; Bioscience and Technology Business Center; Aerotek, Inc.; EFL Associates; Morningstar Communications; CBIZ Accounting Tax & Advisory Services; Bank of Kansas City; Alliance Relocation Center; Axxiom Consulting and Metro Park Warehouses.