Portsmouth lab gear firm CTS Europe eyes up huge expansion after £4million growth and Queen's Award for Innovation

A FIRM specialising in the design and construction of laboratory containment equipment is eyeing up a massive expansion after a record financial year.
CTS Europe managing director Sean Codling given his award by Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson. Picture: Malcolm Wells (190725-4933)CTS Europe managing director Sean Codling given his award by Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson. Picture: Malcolm Wells (190725-4933)
CTS Europe managing director Sean Codling given his award by Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson. Picture: Malcolm Wells (190725-4933)

Hilsea firm CTS Europe had three staff and made £450,000 in its first year, but its team of 26 has turned over £4million in the past 12 months.

In light of this meteoric rise managing director Sean Codling said he wants to build a new 10,000sq ft hub at Lakeside North Harbour in 2020.

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The centre would replace the company’s current 2,500sq ft base at Ordnance Court and allow it to take on 30 per cent more staff.

CTS Europe managing director Sean Codling given his award by Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson. Picture: Malcolm Wells (190725-4933)CTS Europe managing director Sean Codling given his award by Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson. Picture: Malcolm Wells (190725-4933)
CTS Europe managing director Sean Codling given his award by Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson. Picture: Malcolm Wells (190725-4933)

Mr Codling hopes it could pave the way for a new CTS Europe training facility geared at attracting learners from across the globe.

‘We're trying to move because we’re outgrowing our space – we can’t take on any more staff because we don’t have the room,' he said.

‘There’s huge potential at Lakeside and we’re trying to buy land next to Porsche.

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‘We want to expand and we want to do some training with people all over the world.

Sean Codling, managing director, with the Lab Bubble and staff at CTS Europe. Picture: Sarah Standing (250419-7120)Sean Codling, managing director, with the Lab Bubble and staff at CTS Europe. Picture: Sarah Standing (250419-7120)
Sean Codling, managing director, with the Lab Bubble and staff at CTS Europe. Picture: Sarah Standing (250419-7120)

‘That would bring people to Portsmouth and the minute we got permission to do it we would look to increase staff by 30 per cent.’

When it launched in Portsmouth in 2010, CTS Europe was running from a 500sq ft facility that was 20 times smaller than what it wants now.

It now makes more than 300 laboratory containment systems it exports worldwide, including instrument cabinets and climate control enclosures.

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These enable scientists and laboratory workers to work with and store chemicals and hazardous materials safely and with ease.

Mr Codling’s latest creation, a compact fume hood called the Lab Bubble, is now on sale and recently won the Queen's Award for Innovation.

Priced at £4,250, it enables scientists to handle hazardous chemicals without a large fume cabinet often seen in classrooms and laboratories.

‘We were very pleased to have the Lab Bubble recognised,' said Sean.

‘We're now making about 10 a month, which is quite good.’

To learn more about the device go to lab-bubble.com

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