Select Laboratories

Manning celebrates Select Laboratories groundbreaking

Robert Baker / The Item Gov. Mark Sanford told employees of Select Labaratories LLC that he appreciated their efforts at supplying affordable testing to rural physicians and patients. The business, which opened in Manning in April 2007, broke ground Thursday on a new 10,000-square-foot facility at the Clarendon Industrial Park in Manning.

By ROBERT BAKER
Item Staff Writer

MANNING, S.C. — More than 100 people turned out for a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday at the site that will serve as headquarters for Select Laboratories LLC come early spring.

The company, which provides laboratory services to rural physicians and their patients, opened in Manning in April 2007 and currently operates with 50 employees at the F.E. DuBose Center in Manning in a space provided by the Clarendon County Development Board.

"This is a real exciting time for us," said John Merritt, the company's vice president of sales and business development. "It's a realization of a dream that was not without a Herculean effort on everyone's part. We're pleased and proud to be here today celebrating this 10,000-square-foot facility that will house our new lab."

Gov. Mark Sanford said the company's expansion is a "compliment to the people of South Carolina."

"This is a reminder that, in the divided times we live in, that there can be private-sector solutions in closing the disparity that exists between health care provided in rural areas and in (urban areas)," he said.

The lab, which is managed by Synermed Select Partners Inc. of Greensboro, N.C., has about 200 customers throughout South Carolina, Merritt said.

"We can turn results around in a 24-hour period, but most are available in 12 hours via the Internet," Merritt said. "With everyone connected electronically now, that enables us to get results faster."

Merritt said the lab provides everything from blood test analysis to metabolic, diabetes and thyroid tests.

"We provided hematology services, CBCs (complete blood count), metabolic testing, and we analyze tests for thyroids, lipids and diabetes," Merritt said. "Many of our lab results are used by the physicians as a base for prescribing pharmaceuticals for the patient as well as how the doctor deals in treating the patient. We've helped bring access to rural South Carolina through the major efforts of physicians in the area."

He said moving from the current facility — a 3,500-square-foot area — to the new location would provide more space to employ more people.

"I would imagine that once we get moved, we will have room for more people," he said. "We hope to be operational in early spring."

Rep. Cathy Harvin, D-Summerton, said the company's investment in Clarendon County is appreciated.

"In our state, we have 20 percent of our citizens who have no insurance, and 60 percent of those individuals are employed," Harvin said. "(Those who are employed) either cannot afford or not offered insurance by employers, and we are now at a time where this is likely to worsen rather than improve."

Merritt said that offering lab services to rural communities can lower overall costs to doctors and patients.

Sanford agreed.

"This groundbreaking is yet another positive sign that our efforts to improve the business-friendly environment in South Carolina as well as spur economic growth in both cities and smaller communities alike are succeeding," he said. "Select Labs' mission to provide health-care services aimed at reducing costs and increasing access speaks to this larger notion of quality of life, and for that, and the high-paying jobs that they have brought to Clarendon County, (he thanks) them."

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7-29-2007 

Synermed Select Partners, Inc. to Locate New Facility in Manning

Select Labs-SC to Provide Laboratory Services to Clarendon County

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Commerce joined the Clarendon County Development Board and Synermed Select Partners, Inc. in announcing the company’s intention to locate a modern clinical laboratory facility in Manning, South Carolina.  The new lab, Select Labs-SC, will provide high quality, local testing for doctors and patients in rural areas of the state.

“Clarendon County was selected by our physician and hospital partners as the laboratory site because of its central location to the service area, great access to the interstate system and the strong work ethic of the people of central South Carolina,” said Ernie Knesel, President, Synermed Select Partners, Inc.  “We hope and expect to be an ongoing contributor to the area economy and the general healthcare services of the state.  We are pleased to be here!”

Currently, Select Labs-SC is operating in a temporary space at the F.E. DuBose Campus of Central Carolina Technical College.  The company anticipates moving into a permanent facility in the Clarendon County Industrial Park in early 2008.  The $1 million investment will initially create 25 new jobs.

“Today’s announcement is another sign that our efforts to improve the economic conditions for business are working to grow the knowledge-based economy throughout the state.  We remain committed to continuing these efforts to increase opportunity for more South Carolinians,” said Gov. Mark Sanford. 

“We are excited about Select Labs’ decision to locate in Clarendon County,” said Ted Johnson, Chairman of the Clarendon County Development Board.  “The medical sector of our economy is strong and growing and we welcome these high skill jobs to our community.”

Select Labs-SC will benefit uninsured or underinsured patients in rural South Carolina by offering testing at prices that are typically 50 percent below those of its competitors.  The company has already established a highly competent team of laboratory and healthcare professionals that are testing samples from several hundred patients every day, and expects to serve more than 100 physicians statewide. 

Central S.C. Alliance Chairman George Bullwinkel, Jr. said, "The Alliance is pleased to welcome Synermed Select Partners, Inc. and the new employment opportunities for the citizens of Clarendon County as well as the region.  Synermed Select Partners, Inc. provides rural physicians and hospitals in South Carolina quality laboratory and diagnostics services for the benefit of patients in rural areas.  More and more companies are finding Clarendon County's strategic and cost effective location coupled with its proximity to larger metropolitan areas in the state certainly makes it an attractive location for business and industry.  We congratulate everyone who was involved in the project."

Select Labs-SC is a creative collaboration between rural physicians across South Carolina, three local hospitals, and Synermed Select Partners, Inc.  Synermed Select Partners, Inc. is a North Carolina based company specializing in laboratory management, logistics, and lab systems. 

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1201 Main Street, Suite 1600, Columbia, SC  29201 USA

tel:  (803)737-0400  ·  fax:  (803)737-0418  ·  www.sccommerce.com

 

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Select Labs-SC will benefit uninsured or underinsured patients in rural South Carolina by offering testing at prices that are typically 50 percent below those of its competitors.  The company has already established a highly competent team of laboratory and healthcare professionals that are testing samples from several hundred patients every day, and expects to serve more than 100 physicians statewide.