AGROLAB News

The Kiel Environmental Laboratory has exceptional expansion­ possibilities on the Business Campus and is increasing its total area from around 2,000 m² to 7,200 m². Thus AGROLAB is further expanding its leading position in the environmental sector and strengthening its site in the north. The analytical focus is on solids, asbestos and legionella. In the next three to five years, the number of employees is to be almost tripled. With these developments AGROLAB will become an important employer in the region. Kiel without its two labs would be unimaginable.

In Germany, the fast-growing AGROLAB GROUP has five environmental and water labs in addition to the site in Kiel. So far, the location in Bruckberg in Lower Bavaria has been the main focus of expansion and modernisation. However AGROLAB Agrar und Umwelt GmbH is to become the northern counterpart.

In Kiel - Suchsdorf existing industrial halls, which are directly adjacent to the previous lab, were utilised for the expansion. The interior has been completely redesigned according to the latest knowledge of lean management and guarantees a fast through put time for samples, especially in high quantities.

After two years of planning and construction, the new buildings are now ready for  productions begin. The new asbestos lab started routine work in January 2020. The microbiology lab and the offices of the customer service department were moved in the spring. The expansion is scheduled to be completed by the end of July.

The analytical focus of the lab in Kiel is on the testing of asbestos and solid samples as well as water analysis, with special emphasis on legionella and classical microbiological examinations. In addition the physical-chemical analyses of water, sewage sludge and manure remain an important part of the product portfolio. In order to futureproof the laboratory, existing capabilities are being massively expanded. A new lab was set up on the premises for asbestos analysis.

Pesticide analysis in water is a new addition to the portfolio, which AGROLAB will begin to offer in Kiel from January 2021.

The new buildings must be filled with life over the next few years.

The new premises offer enormous growth potential. As the number of samples increases, new lab personnel will be recruited accordingly. The current permanent staff of around 100 at AGROLAB Agrar und Umwelt GmbH in Kiel is expected to grow to 250 employees in the next five years. We are looking for chemical laboratory assistants (CTA), biological laboratory assistants (BTA), mineralogists and physics laboratory assistants for the asbestos department as well as personnel for customer relations with degrees in natural sciences. We also regularly hire career changers, especially in areas of sample preparation and logistics.

Parts of the field of work have been classified as "systemically important", meaning the Corona crisis has been managed effectively. The business continues to develop consistently, the company is optimistic about the future.