The firm said that its new site, located in San Diego, California, will allow it to add US-based custom design, engineering and contract manufacturing services to its capabilities, making its services more amenable to North American clients.

Since 2002 the company has been working to establish a client base in the region. The firm is also currently scoping out new business opportunities in Europe.

Invetech delivers global contract design and development, contract instrument manufacturing and custom automation services to diagnostic, life sciences, drug discovery and pharmaceutical companies.

With its other facilities located in Melbourne, Australia, Invetech prides itself on offering a relatively low cost base for its international clients.

Citing figures released by KPMG in 2004, the company's website points out that the relative cost of operating in Melbourne is 39 per cent cheaper than in Yokohama, Japan; 29 per cent lower than Frankfurt, Germany; 25 per cent less than in London, UK; and between 12 and 20 per cent cheaper than in a range of US cities.