BALTIMORE, Sept. 12, 2022 – LuminUltra, the global leader in applied molecular diagnostics, has officially opened its new, state-of-the-art US Headquarters, made up of its Technology Development and Distribution Centers of Excellence.
This new facility unites two previously separate locations for the company’s Technology Development and Distribution divisions.
“We are thrilled to be bringing these two crucial areas of our company together under one roof,” says Pat Whalen, Chairman & CEO of LuminUltra. “Opening this new facility at Pinnacle Drive unites two of our most critical departments and will foster even more innovation and collaboration as we work to continue to meet the needs of our customers and help solve the microbiological challenges they face.”
A customer-focused approach
The new location includes over 14,000 square feet of space for research, development and logistics activities and is the main shipping hub for all of North America. Leased from St. John Properties Inc., the facility is centrally located in the BWI Tech Park, and well-positioned with access to key freight, road, and air routes. Additionally, the location is well-positioned to capitalize on the Baltimore area’s renowned biotech talent ecosystem.
The LuminUltra Technology Development team will now have even more tools at their disposal to complete critical research and development tasks to further expand the company’s diagnostics portfolio. Facility improvements include a state-of-the-art clean room and dry room for research involving freeze-dried products such as lyophilized beads, a cold room for work in areas such as protein purification, and significantly enhanced equipment design and engineering capabilities.
The company has invested in multiple operational enhancements over the past year. The new Distribution Center has been custom designed to meet LuminUltra’s operational needs, resulting in immediate improvements in efficiency and productivity. Combined with a recently upgraded ERP, the company has made significant investments to better facilitate faster workflow and product distribution to customers around the world.
“We pride ourselves on developing innovative buildings for innovative tenants,” stated Matt Lenihan, Senior Vice President, Leasing for St. John Properties. “805 Pinnacle Drive has earned LEED® Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its sustainability features, and the flexible building design has enabled LuminUltra to create the precise configuration for their needs.”
A track record of growth and innovation
LuminUltra has a 25+ year history of developing solutions and services that deliver rapid, accurate, actionable feedback for customers that are greatly impacted by microbial activity, including biofouling, bioprocessing and biosecurity applications.
“Our mission is to demonstrate how little things make a big difference,” Whalen said. “Everyone sees the end result of microbial activity every day. But there’s not enough knowledge of how to accurately measure and then manage it to prevent problems or optimize systems. We work tirelessly to bring the solutions to market that are tailored to our customers’ needs. This new facility enables us to deliver our world-class suite of products to even more industries.”
The company has been on an accelerated growth trajectory over recent years which has included opening a new Production Center of Excellence in Canada and the acquisition of Florida-based Source Molecular in 2020. In 2021, the company was selected by the Center for Disease Control to provide SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance as part of the CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS).
Lacey Johansson of St. John Properties represented the landlord and Mark Deering and Drew White of MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services represented the client in this transaction.
About LuminUltra:
Founded in 1995, LuminUltra is a global leader in applied molecular biology diagnostics, with solutions and services that deliver accurate and actionable feedback in bioprocessing, biofouling, and biosecurity applications. With operations in six countries, LuminUltra serves dozens of Fortune 500 customers across more than 100 countries. At the same time, LuminUltra fosters a culture of innovation and agility, working tirelessly to deliver more value to customers. In recent years it has been on an accelerated growth path, acquiring multiple companies after forming a partnership with XPV Water Partners. Additional information can be found at luminultra.com.
About St. John Properties, Inc.
Founded in 1971, St. John Properties, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest and most successful privately held commercial real estate firms. The company is distinguished by its commitment to customer service, achievements in green building, and top-rated workplace culture. Throughout St. John Properties’ 51-year history, the company has developed more than 22 million square feet of flex/R&D, office, retail, warehouse space and has investments in over 2,600 residential units. The company proudly serves more than 2,500 clients in Colorado, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Utah, and Wisconsin. For more information about the company, visit sjpi.com.
