An interdisciplinary, research-based architecture and design firm, consistently ranked among top global design firms HKS work across all areas of the built environment and are especially adept at working closely with investors and developers to drive return on investment throughout the duration of a project. With a belief that design should build trust between their collaborators, clients and those who inhabit the places they design, HKS aim to inspire and empower the people and communities who encounter their work. To preserve and respect our natural resources, they create places that conserve and rejuvenate our planet, too. The London studio of HKS is the hub for the firm’s projects in the UK, mainland
Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. A 75-strong team helps clients from the first stages of strategic planning, identifying opportunities with market and economic analysis, feasibility and business case preparation, through master planning, design and delivery and beyond, with ongoing performance monitoring and solutions that are flexible enough to allow for changing use over time. Developers, investors, educational institutions, health care providers, corporates, sports, leisure and hospitality owners and operators seek
NETPark businesses hope to deliver revolutionary healthcare savings A highly innovative, problem-solving healthcare supplier and a cutting-edge electronics firm are collaborating on a new product which could potentially save the NHS £250m a year. Quality Hospital Solutions (QHS) and PragmatIC, both based at the North East Technology Park (NETPark) in Sedgefield, County Durham, are working together on SamplePod –
a revolutionary tracking and transport system for pathology samples. Inventor and Managing Director of QHS, Andrew Turner said: “SamplePod holds every possible sample size securely and within one pod and can be used time and time again. By eliminating the use of plastic bags and paper request forms it removes more than five tonnes of waste from the process.”
advice to help them develop solutions that give them beautiful buildings and campuses that stand the test of time and deliver the best possible revenue. Market-leading expertise, the ability to draw on the experience of their global colleagues, and the gravitas to contribute to their clients’ strategic planning mean HKS deliver not just buildings, but places and spaces that work hard for owners and users. ■
For further information, please visit: www.hksinc.com
The company has teamed up with innovative electronics firm PragmatIC to develop the tracking element of SamplePod using radio frequency identification (RFID). CEO of PragmatIC, Scott White, said: “Our unique flexible integrated circuit technology is being adopted in a wide variety of novel applications, so strong partnerships are essential to enable the delivery of complete solutions.” NETPark is managed by Business Durham, the economic development arm of Durham County Council. NETPark manager Janet Todd said: “NETPark is the perfect environment for innovative businesses such as QHS and PragmatIC. We provide a dynamic, supportive and collaborative environment to help businesses grow and thrive, and it’s fantastic to be able to introduce companies who can benefit each other.” ■
To find out about locating your business at NETPark or to request a viewing, please contact Janet Todd, NETPark Manager on 01740 625 250 or e-mail enquiries@northeasttechnologypark.com To find out more about SamplePod visit www.samplepod.co.uk and for PragmatIC go to www.pragmatic.tech (l-r) Scott White, CEO, PragmatIC; Janet Todd, NETPark Manager - Business Durham; Andrew Turner, Inventor of SamplePod and MD, QHS; Ken Williamson, Chief Operating Officer, PragmatIC
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