Screen 4 tests for opportunities
A YORKSHIRE drug testing company which tests airline workers is reaching for the sky after receiving a business loan.
Barnsley-based Screen 4, which also tests drug abusers on home soil, is hoping to reach new markets as spending cuts force public bodies to review their suppliers.
Two new sales executives will head up the company’s plans to target the UK healthcare market, drug rehabilitation and prison sectors following the £50,000 business loan from Finance Yorkshire.
David Grouse, director of Screen 4, said: “Much of the public sector central purchasing is being reduced and being put in the hands of local purchasers. Finance Yorkshire has accelerated our plan to target decision makers locally and have helped us to utilise this opportunity.”
Screen 4 was established in 2009 with the aim of being able to provide a holistic service to compete with a major American player who acquired a significant part of the market share by providing diagnostic kits, collection agents, results and independent analysis.
Mr Grouse added: “Our USP is our quality of service. All our collectors are trained by us and we use independent laboratories to double check positive results so they are all working to the same proven standard.
“We are also aiming to provide a more rapid response for positive confirmations than our competitors which is important because companies pay salaries to suspended employees for a shorter amount of time.”
Screen 4 serves the maritime sector as well as testing airline staff in airports including Sydney, Melbourne, Beijing, Singapore and The Middle East.
Airline Companies are required to randomly test 20% of their safety critical workforce. The company also sees a future in domestic markets in the private sector.
Mr Grouse said: “Directors of companies are coming under more pressure to test for drugs and alcohol abuse and that will develop over the next few years.”
Karl Hodson, Screen 4’s investment manager at Finance Yorkshire, said: “Screen 4 is a niche company managing to reach mass markets. They are winning new business even when competing with large corporations.”
Finance Yorkshire provides seedcorn, loan and equity linked investments, ranging from £15,000 to £2m.
