In its search for a European base capable of becoming a long-term equivalent to its Florida head office, the American company Steelgate has chosen the Walloon region.

Founded in 2002, Steelgate is an organisation of some 20 employees specialising in the storage and management of biomedical substances. On behalf of third parties, it handles and stores frozen bags containing human samples of all types from around the world.

The requirement for a second location is in response to a pressing need to be closer to its customers, particularly in Europe, and thus to considerably reduce transport costs.

Other deciding factors in its choice of Liège were the city's strategic position at the heart of the life sciences clusters located in Liège, Maastricht and Aachen, together with the proximity of Bierset airport and the presence of a "major client" in the Walloon region.

The company plans to invest approximately $500,000 distributed over the first two years. And Steelgate's management do not intend to stop there.


Fabian Lacasse - L'ECHO - 03/04/2009