An unassuming business park just off the M62 on the outskirts of Rochdale might seem an unlikely home for some of the country’s prized historical records. Yet for the British Library, the site offers one of the most advanced storage facilities in the UK and the perfect place to protect rare documentary film footage from the early part of last century. For Liam Ferguson, the chairman of environmental control specialist Vindon Healthcare (LON:VDN), the contract marks the latest move in his efforts to broaden the company’s market reach. But while protecting the nation’s heritage is now all in a day’s work, he is also keen to build Vindon’s presence in its core pharmaceuticals market as well as explore new areas such as cryogenic storage of stem cells.

When Ferguson brought Vindon to the Alternative Investment Market in April 2005, the seasoned engineering entrepreneur set about plans to breathe new life into its ageing operations whilst nurturing its hard-won reputation among big pharma clients. Vindon manufactures environmental control products where careful management of temperature, humidity and light in controlled storage is essential. Not only does it make and sell these systems but it also runs expansive storage facilities where the likes of pharma customers can outsource the long term storage of ingredients, which is often a vital part in the testing of new drugs.

For investors eyeing the wider sector, Vindon’s presence in the Medical Equipment segment of the AIM market means that its peers range from the likes of Deltex Medical Group (LON:DEMG) , Lidco Group (LON:LID) and Surgical Innovations Group (LON:SUN) .

Over the last five years Ferguson and his team have overseen the construction of the flagship facility in Rochdale, the opening of a similar site in Ireland in 2007 and in January this year acquired their US sales agent, Westech Instruments. The move in the US represents the first step in building a much stronger presence on the other side of the Atlantic and is now the immediate focus for the company, with plans to open a storage facility there later this year. In the six months to June 30, Vindon reported…

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