RECENT NEWS! December 18, 2007
Here's some business and social news at KAR Laboratories, Inc.:
- It's a SWEEP! All Four Quarters, a PERFECT 100% SCORE on Performance Evaluation Samples - 12/2007 - KAR Environmental Laboratory received the Laboratory of Excellence® Award for a perfect 100% score on this quarterly round of national proficiency samples. KAR analyzed all 91 parameters of the OCTOBER 2007 WP samples successfully. Click here to see our laboratory's industry-leading PE sample history.
- Another PERFECT SCORE on Performance Evaluation, 3rd time this year - 09/2007 - KAR Environmental Laboratory received the Laboratory of Excellence® Award for a perfect 100% score on this quarterly round of national proficiency samples. KAR analyzed all 124 parameters of the JULY 2007 WP samples successfully. Lunch from Olive Garden was provided for the staff. Click here to see our laboratory's industry-leading PE sample history.
- 12,000 Ultra-Trace Mercury Environmental samples analyzed - 08/09/07 - The Trace Metals Laboratory reached another milestone, analyzing the 12,000 mark for billable Ultra-Trace Mercury samples. This testing service was launched in 2000 based upon pending regulations, and was offered prior to customers actually needing the test. Today, it's still difficult to do, but remains a popular and routine test for our chemists to perform, thanks to our unmatched experience.
- MDEQ Hazardous Waste Inspection - 7/27/2007 - An unannounced hazardous waste inspection and audit from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) took place today. There were no findings, and the auditor said that it's a pleasure to inspect a facility where everything is being done correctly. We should receive an "in compliance" letter within the next few weeks. Congratulations to Dave Alkema CHMM (Certified Hazardous Materials Manager), Safety Officer Julie Rumsey, and Chemist Mike Walsh for their diligence in weekly waste handling, inspecting, and recordkeeping.
- MDEQ EZSet Electronic Data Deliverables are Available NOW - 7/25/2007 - KAR Laboratories, Inc. can now provide laboratory data in the "EZSet" format specified in the July 5, 2007 RRD Operational Memorandum No. 2 "Sampling and Analysis - Attachment 1".
- Pharmaceuticals Laboratory Division Spin-off - 7/1/2007 - The drug research laboratory section has been designated its own company. Keeping the same location, same shareholders, same directors, and same officers, as a practical matter not much has really changed. The spin-off will allow better management by tracking each individual company's performance separately.
- Perfect score on Performance Evaluation - 05/2007 - KAR Environmental Laboratory received the Laboratory of Excellence® Award for a perfect 100% score on the national proficiency samples. KAR analyzed all 88 parameters of the APRIL 2007 WP samples successfully. Click here to see our laboratory's industry-leading PE sample history.
- Perfect score on U.S. EPA Performance
Evaluation
03/2007 - KAR Environmental Laboratory received the Laboratory of Excellence® Award for a perfect 100% score on the national proficiency samples. KAR analyzed all 203 parameters of the JANUARY 2007 WP samples successfully. Click here to see our laboratory's industry-leading PE sample history. Click on the thumbnail pictures to view the award certificates. On 3/22, staff enjoyed breakfast from Maggie's Catering including eggs, bacon, sausage, cinnamon rolls, pastries, hash browns, fresh fruit, and juices.
- Anniversary Celebrations - 1-25-07 - Hope Stanley, 10 years of service. 11-2-06 - Jayne Rauch, 10 years of service. 04-26-06 - Julie Rumsey, 20 years of service. 01-05-06 - Pat Lally, 10 years of service. 08/31/05 - Dave Lilac and Mark Zwiefka, 15 years of service. 07/27/05 - Sandy Mertz, 15 years of service. 05/7/05 - Kathy Blosl, 15 years of service. 03/17/05 - Bill Rauch, 20 years of service. Anniversary celebrations include cake and a gift certificate to a hotel or Bed & Breakfast of their choice, plus an engraved plaque (10 years), engraved desk clock (15 years), or engraved Swiss-made wristwatch (20 years).
- New equipment update
New OI Analytical Flow Solution 3100 Automated Ion Analyzer - 10/2006 - Available Cyanide has been requested by our clients, and this instrument provides that capability. It uses a proprietary ligand exchange/gas diffusion/amperometric detection procedure (USEPA-accepted Method 1677). The automated chemistry analyzer employs a dual channel configuration with 2 photometric detectors, 2 FIA modules, 2 heaters, and 2 valves for fast, dependable results of many routine tests. 
New Thermo Spectronic Genesys 20 Spectrophotometer - 09/2006 - An additional Model 4001/4 has been purchased for routine production testing and will provide redundancy for our first Genesys 20 system. 
New OI Analytical Purge & Trap Concentrator/Autosampler - 09/2006 - Model 4552 provides automated analysis of a variety of sample types and methods. This device will replace an older unit, adding increased precision and efficiency. 
New Nippon RA-3000 Mercury Analyzer - 05/2006 - Best available technology for USEPA Methods 245.1, 245.2, SW-846, 7470, 7471, and 245.7. Common applications include NPDES permit monitoring, wastewaters, process waters, natural waters, blood, urine, and other liquids. This new instrument provides automated analysis and increases sensitivity 100-fold over conventional cold vapor Atomic Absorbance methods, bridging the gap to our Ultra-Trace Fluorescence mercury method. 
New OI Analytical Purge & Trap Concentrator/Autosampler - 11/2005 - Model 4552 provides automated analysis of a variety of sample types and methods. This device will replace an older unit, adding increased precision and efficiency. New PS Analytical Ultra-Trace Mercury Autosampler- 10/2005 - A PSA Model 20-400 autosampler and Millennium software was installed to upgrade to the latest technology. The new device precisely handles up to 63 samples and 6 standards/blanks unattended. 
New API 3000 (Sciex) LC/MS/MS - 10/2004 - Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer. Bringing enhanced sensitivity and increased throughput to the Pharmaceutical Laboratory. 
New Thermo Finnigan Trace DSQ GC-MS - 09/04 - Ordered for the Semi-Volatiles Laboratory, this instrument has a Large Volume Injector, Vacuum Probe Interlock, TriPlus Autosampler, and the NIST Mass Spectral Library. Additionally, Prolab Resource Plus ChemStation software was purchased to facilitate 21CFR Part 11 compliance (for GLP). 
- Third time in 2006 - perfect score on U.S. EPA Performance
Evaluation - DMRQA26
09/2006 - KAR Environmental Laboratory received the Special Recognition certificate for a perfect 100% score on the national proficiency samples. KAR analyzed all 35 parameters of the DMRQA Study 26 samples successfully for this mandatory testing part of the NPDES permit program. Click here to see our laboratory's industry-leading PE sample history. Click on the thumbnail picture to view the award.
- Second time in 2006 - perfect score on U.S. EPA Performance
Evaluation
09/2006 - KAR Environmental Laboratory received the Laboratory of Excellence® Award for a perfect 100% score on the national proficiency samples. KAR analyzed all 187 parameters of the JULY 2006 WP samples successfully. Click here to see our laboratory's industry-leading PE sample history. Click on the thumbnail picture to view the award.
- Another 100% on U.S. EPA
Performance Evaluation
03/2006 - KAR Environmental Laboratory received the Laboratory of Excellence® Award for a perfect 100% score on the national proficiency samples. KAR analyzed all 175 parameters of the JANUARY 2006 WP samples successfully. Click here to see our laboratory's industry-leading PE sample history. Click on the thumbnail picture to view the award.
- MDEQ Operational Memorandum 2 - 05/19/05 - There are several new (and sometimes strange) analytical requirements in this recent release of environmental requirements. Click here for details.
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Miron Communications Group, LLC in affiliation with Biggs|Gilmore, selected KAR Laboratories to showcase the Mobile Technology Benches from Flexible Furniture. Photos will be used in Flexible Furniture’s promotional literature featuring KAR scientists and equipment. 
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Audit -
2/3/2005 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Detroit
District, conducted a routine, unannounced 3-day
facilities inspection and records audit. Result: No significant findings
and no 483 citations, which is the best possible result a laboratory can
achieve.
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KAR a leader in quality performance - 1/05 - In the most recent National Environmental Water Pollution Proficiency Test among 294 laboratories graded, KAR achieved a 99.72% rating, good for a 3rd place national ranking. Click here to see our laboratory's industry-leading PE sample history.