In a bid to improve efficiency and reduce costs UK in vitro diagnostics company Axis-Shield is to shift the manufacture of certain products from its site in Oslo, Norway to the company's global headquarters in Dundee, Scotland.
The move will result in the loss of around 40 jobs in Norway, although about 15 new positions will be offered in its expanding Point-of-Care Division, also located in Oslo.
Although the one-off costs associated with the reorganisation are expected to tip the £1 million mark, the company anticipates that ongoing cost savings are expected to be in excess of £1.3 million per annum from 2004 onwards.
Commenting on the reorganisation, Svein Lien, CEO of Axis-Shield said: "We believe our decision represents the best solution for our short and medium term needs. This restructuring means that now Dundee will be the focus for the Laboratory Division and Oslo will be the centre for the Point-of-Care Division."
Turning to Oslo, the company said this week that in parallel to the Scottish move, the company will focus resources in Oslo on the new near-patient system due for launch in 2004.