Quintiles in Edinburgh: An Ideal Environment

Quintiles Transnational is a global company, headquartered in North Carolina. It employs a global workforce of approximately 16,000 in more than 48 countries. The company helps improve healthcare worldwide by providing a broad range of professional services, information, and partnering solutions to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare industries.

When Quintiles was looking for a place to expand its activities in Europe in 1995, many factors led to the choice of the Edinburgh area. Four things were particularly important in Quintiles' decision: the excellent science base, the quality of available premises, the infrastructure, and the area's quality of life. These factors continue to bring benefits to Quintiles.

Quintiles found the ideal location and building at Heriot Watt University Research Park, Riccarton. Here employees benefit from short commutes and the company benefits from easy access to suppliers, partners, and customers. The Quintiles packaging facility at Bathgate serves a global market; in 2003 Quintiles distributed over 1,200 shipments to 58 countries.

The attraction of Edinburgh includes effective transport links, with major airports providing direct European and transatlantic connections. The quality of life enjoyed in the area has allowed Quintiles to successfully attract key staff from outside the UK. The company has expanded continually since 1995. Quintiles now occupies five sites in Edinburgh and West Lothian, and the number of employees has grown from 195 in 1995 to over 1,400 in Scotland today. Quintiles attracts professionals across a wide range of functions, including scientists, technologists, packaging and manufacturing operatives, accountants, and professional service center and multilingual call center staff.