AN international cutting–edge technology company is moving to Runcorn.

Hitachi High-Technologies (Europe), part of Japan’s Hitachi Group, has is launching a pioneering venture in the newest building at Sci-Tech Daresbury, Techspace One.

The company is creating a new applications laboratory to house their latest electron microscopes and scanning probe microscopes in four dedicated microscope rooms.

The new lab will have a special focus on collaborations, both with academia and industry, not only in the north of England, but also across the UK and Europe.

The Hitachi High-Tech Group handles a variety of products from scientific instruments and systems and electronic devices to industrial machinery and advanced materials.

Mike Dixon, Hitachi nanotechnology section manager said: “Our aim for the new laboratory is to be a demonstration facility for our latest instrumentation as well as a collaboration hub where we can undertake a wide range of activities including fundamental research and method development.

“What really appealed about Techspace One was its strong impact and flexibility, allowing us to design the space in the way that works for us best.

“The move also means that we will be adding new staff to strengthen the company’s applications and technical team, and increasing our commitment to microscopy in the UK.

“Locating at Sci-Tech Daresbury puts us in the heart of the UK, offering opportunities to work with academic and industrial partners on the campus and in the region, as well as across the whole of the UK and Europe because of the excellent transport links.”

Sci-Tech Daresbury is a private-public joint-venture partnership between developer Langtree, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and Halton Council.

John Downes, group managing director of Langtree and board member of the Sci-Tech Daresbury joint venture company, said: “This is a significant milestone for the campus and our ambition to cement our position as a world-class hub for innovation and collaboration.

“Sci-Tech Daresbury is already home to the renowned EPSRC National Facility for Aberration Corrected Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (SuperSTEM) and the arrival of Hitachi now adds a world leading developer and supplier of electron microscopes to complement that activity, bringing a wider range of techniques and skills to the campus.”

Last month Robotik Technology UK, a leading pharmacy automation company, became the new building’s first tenant.

Enterprise Zone status means that tenants will be eligible for various financial incentives including reduced business rates over a five-year period if they relocate before the March 31, 2018.