larger hospital markets, DPC made significant progress on the Immunoassay Workcell™, which will enable customers with two IMMULITE 2000s, two IMMULITE 2500s or one of each to link them together for even greater assay-processing efficiency. In addition to linking DPC instrumentation, the SMS will be able to connect the IMMULITE systems to other manufacturers' laboratory automation systems and workcells.

The move to the new corporate offices located just 3 miles south of the existing manufacturing site went very smoothly through the excellent coordination and cooperation of all the departments and personnel involved. EURO/DPC, DPC's European headquarters in North Wales, also moved into an expanded automated warehouse and office space; and DPC's Instrument Systems Division in New Jersey broke ground and expects to complete a major addition this summer. All of these expansions were greatly needed with the addition last November of over 180 people, bringing the total number of DPC employees worldwide to 2,400.

Having demonstrated its robustness, DPC is moving ahead with products and services to support increasingly diverse segments of the immunodiagnostics market. I look forward to the challenges and opportunities of this year.