Discover the global companies building their European success in Kent and Medway

With our strategic gateway location to London, Europe and the world, it’s no surprise that Kent is a great to build a thriving business.

This is a region that suits business leaders at all stages of their journey from starts up and scale ups to established brands with worldwide appeal.

This is a place of entrepreneurship and innovation where companies of all sizes can access a talented workforce, invaluable industry focused, research-led academia and an unbeatable quality of life.

That includes a growing number of international firms that have chosen to locate their European or even global headquarters in the county over competition from locations across the English Channel or other parts of the UK, including the capital. This year has seen more companies than ever recognising the value to their business of locating here.

At the start of August, Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems in Broadstairs submitted plans to create a ‘global hub’ to attract customers from around the world.

The proposed extension at the Pysons Road Industrial Estate of the Thanet district coastal town, will create a global showroom for various printers and the ink they use at the place where they are manufactured. Potential customers for the specialist products are expected to fly in from around the world to view before they buy.

“We see a positive future for our digital print business, both in Broadstairs and across the UK,” a spokesperson for the company told Kent Online.

In the same month Asymchem officially inaugurated its new European development and pilot manufacturing site at Discovery Park in Sandwich. The former Pfizer small molecule facilities now employ 70-on-site in both the R&D labs and the API pilot plans, with additional hires expected as the company ramps up operations.

Asymchem is a global technology-driven contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) providing services to the pharmaceutical industry. Founded in 1997, the company employs 9,700 people world-wide with R&D and manufacturing operations in the US, China and now the UK.

In the official release announcing their arrival in the county, Dr Hao Hong, Chairman, Founder and CEO of Asymchem said the company was continuing a long legacy of manufacturing excellence at Discovery Park adding, “…with the location in Kent being ideal for reaching our target markets in Europe.”

With Pfizer retaining some services at Discovery Park, and continued investment in the 160+ campus community it’s a sign of the continued importance of Kent as a location for life sciences.

Asymchem’s arrival adds to a growing reputation for delivery, innovation and collaboration that has extended the Golden Triangle of UK science. They share their Sandwich home with the European headquarters of Genea Biomedx, a global leader in comprehensive in vitro fertilisation (IVF) solutions.

Speaking at the launch of their new facility back in 2013, Commercial Director Kim Giliam said establishing a presence at Discovery Park was a natural fit for the Australian company.  Eleven later and the company continues to build its success in the county.

“When it became obvious Genea Biomedx needed a home in the Northern Hemisphere, we developed a list of must haves, including proximity to the Channel crossing and world-class facilities, he said.

It’s more than 20 years since Hochiki Europe opened its European headquarters in Gillingham. Last year the Japanese world leaders in fire detection, since 1918, opened a new site in Medway with increased space for warehousing to support growing demand for its services.

At the time Shinsuke Kubo, managing director of Hochiki Europe, said: “The new facility will play a pivotal role in advancing life safety technologies not only here in the UK but across the whole of Hochiki Europe’s regions.

“We are proud to bring together the finest minds in life safety technology under one roof, driving innovation and setting new standards for safety worldwide.”

Bringing together the finest minds.
Driving innovation.

Setting new standards.

By locating in Kent, you’re in good company.