aluncairns.co.uk

Vale MP Alun Cairns visited Lion Laboratories in Barry ahead of the annual drink driving campaign to find out more about the firm behind the breathalysing technologies used by our police service.

Lion Laboratories, based on the Ty Verlon Industrial Estate in Barry is a highly successful specialist in the field of breath alcohol analysis. Lion Laboratories supply much of the equipment used by the UK Police, and export to seventy countries worldwide through a network of local distributors.

Mr Cairns said:

“It was really interesting to find out how the breath-testing units have been developed.  Ian Jones, the Managing Director and Dr Paul Williams the International Marketing Director highlighted business development issues and concerns that I will look to raise with the Minister in Westminster.

The Vale MP heard first-hand from the Directors how the local firm, established in the early 1970s now employs 77 people at the Barry research and manufacturing site.   The main supplier of breath alcohol evidential instruments to Britain’s police force, the company has a strong international customer base with 80% of its business in the export market to countries such as Russia and South Africa.

Mr Cairns added:

“It was good to hear about the new technologies that Lion Laboratories are developing, including the ‘Interlock’ device which is fitted as an ignition immobiliser on commercial vehicles. 

This leading technology provides law enforcement opportunities, as well as commercial and industrial opportunities from an essential health & safety perspective.

“The Directors at Lion Laboratories expressed concerns regarding potential growth opportunities within the European marketplace and I will be raising these issues with the Minister.  It’s vital that we do all we can to ensure that businesses here in the Vale can develop to their full potential and be on a level playing field with the rest of Europe.”

Dr Paul Williams, International Marketing Director at Lion Laboratories said:

“The increasingly competitive world means that Lion has to fight for each order it acquires  -  whether from Police Forces at home or abroad.  It was very useful to talk with Alun, and to explain some of the unfair practices that we occasionally encounter.  Hopefully, if some of these can be resolved, then not only will this assist Lion directly and the people of Barry we employ, but of course UK plc in general.”

Tags: Alun Cairns MP, Barry, Lion Laboratories