WESTBROOK – Standing in the “fusion cafe?” of Idexx Labratories’ multi-million dollar expansion Friday, Westbrook City Councilor John O’Hara said, “It’s almost like they’ve skipped a century in the workplace all within one step.”

O’Hara’s comment followed an extravagant ribbon-cutting ceremony at the company’s $35 million, 107,000-square-foot “Synergy Center,” which showcases a modern approach to the workplace, heavily focused on wellness and creativity.

Idexx Laboratories provides diagnostic and information technology-based products and services to veterinarians worldwide, as well as safety tests for poultry, livestock, milk and water.

Gov. Paul LePage, Westbrook Mayor Colleen Hilton, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, and U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud were on hand to speak about the impact of Idexx’s expansion, which has added some 240 jobs since opening in late 2013, and is by far Westbrook’s largest employer. The company is located at the Five Star Industrial Park, off Eisenhower Drive in Westbrook.

Jonathan Ayers, the president and CEO of Idexx, said in his remarks Friday that Idexx “helps pets live longer, healthier lives” through the production of its tests and software, and that the new building “exemplifies our commitment to our employees that make all this happen.”

Ayers touted the building’s design, which focuses on an open, creative atmosphere.

“We wanted a space that was inspirational and energizing, and to encourage communication and collaboration,” he said. “We wanted to create the finest work environment in the state of Maine, and I think we’ve achieved that.”

The three-story building boasts a combination of workspaces that employees can choose to work from throughout the day, as well as a first-floor wellness center with fitness rooms, a walk-in medical clinic and large cafeteria.

According to Katye Charette, executive director of the Maine chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, the building has received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) “gold” certification, making it the largest LEED-certified administrative office building in Maine.

Peter Dewitt, an employee communications manager who was hired in September 2013, when construction had just completed, said Friday that the new facility is an attraction for potential employees.

“When I was interviewing, they brought me through as kind of a way to say, ‘This is what Idexx offers,’” he said. “It’s a great recruitment tool.”

LePage said Friday that Idexx is an example of a business that shows prosperity and growth while being an environmental steward.

“Idexx is a great example of finding the balance between good environmental stewardship and creating jobs,” he said. “I’ve said it many times, that it is a balance that we can find.”

Some 2,100 people are employed at Idexx’s Westbrook campus, but the company employs 5,900 worldwide. The company had revenues of $1.3 billion in 2013. Idexx’s employees are in a range of fields, including research and development, sales and marketing, manufacturing, information technology, human resources, communications and legal and business development.

The business’s updated tax impact in Westbrook for fiscal year 2013-14 will not be available until next week, but City Administrator Jerre Bryant has said the company is one of the top four taxpayers in the city.

LePage added that Maine’s economy is growing because of companies like Idexx.

“This is not only great for Westbrook, this is world class,” he said.

Hilton thanked Ayers for “choosing Westbrook,” and also told the audience of a few hundred about the initial challenges that faced the expansion when Hilton was first elected mayor in 2009.

The project was significantly delayed by deliberations with neighboring business Pike Industries, which announced plans in 2008 to blast at its Spring Street quarry. Following Pike’s announcement, Hilton and other Westbrook officials worked for years with both companies and other concerned neighbors to negotiate an agreement.

“I think some people wondered if we’d ever be here today celebrating this event,” she said, referring to the difficulties. “Everyone wants a company like Idexx in their community, and I’m incredibly proud to say that we worked through that, and thank you for your leap of faith in us.”

Jim Polewaczyk, who has been a corporate vice president at Idexx for seven years, said Friday that he saw the project from the ground up, and has seen the site double in square footage since he came on. He called the company’s difficulty with Pike “past history.”

“Everything was settled amicably, and it allowed us to make the investment that ended up as the Synergy Center today,” he said. “We’re very happy with Westbrook, and how everything has worked out with our neighbors as well.”

Hilton said that Westbrook has seen a recent increase in businesses moving to or expanding in Westbrook, including Schlotterbeck & Foss, WMTW television and Husson University.

Bill Baker, Westbrook’s assistant city administrator for business and community relations, said Tuesday that the Idexx expansion is the most recent example of a growing economy, and that the city has been working to attract and keep a rising number of employees.

“We work constantly with the Chamber of Commerce and others to encourage shopping, local businesses and services, and our river initiatives and work with Portland Trails is intended to attract and keep a younger workforce,” he said.

Baker added that the city had also conducted a survey of County Road businesses and employees regarding what they needed for services in the immediate area.

“It was symbolic,” he said, referring to the survey. “That led us to create a business overlay (zone) on County Road to allow local landowners to attract more service businesses to that area.”

He added that the city is “engaged in comprehensive strategy to promote the kind of investment Idexx just made and to balance that with expanded access to our unique environmental amenities like the river and the trails.”

Following the ribbon cutting, Idexx Chief Human Resources officer Giovani Twigge guided media members through the addition.

While walking through an outdoor courtyard, Twigge pointed to employees working on iPads.

“We allow employees to work wherever they are because they have this,” he said, pointing to his own tablet.

“It really doesn’t matter where you are, you’re always connected,” added Polewaczyk, saying employees are encouraged to hold small meetings in these spots throughout the campus.

Workspaces on the second and third floors feature height-adjustable electric desks and ergonomic chairs. Corporate executives do not have private offices, but instead work collaboratively with their teams throughout the building.

“For most employees, it creates a different environment for them every day,” said Polewaczyk, adding that executives shared initial skepticism about the model prior to implementation. “It’s a different way of working, but it has led to a much higher level of productivity and engagement.”

According to Alicia Gardiner, Westbrook’s finance director, Idexx’s personal property taxes for fiscal year 2013-14 were $168,118. while the real estate taxes were $588,032.

The expansion of the facility is covered under tax increment financing, so most of any new value that would create more taxes to the city will be paid two-thirds back to Idexx and the city keeps one-third, she said. Gardiner said last year’s amount under the TIF was $53,623, but this coming year will be higher as the expansion is now complete.

Two Idexx employees sit and work remotely Friday outside the company’s new expansion. The courtyard connects the new “Synergy Center” with the previous addition at the Five Star Industrial Park, off Eisenhower Drive in Westbrook.   All smiles during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday for Idexx Labratories’ $35 million expansion are, from left, Westbrook Mayor Colleen Hilton, Idexx President and CEO Jonathan Ayers, Gov. Paul LePage, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, and U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud.  Idexx’s $35 million “Synergy Center” is Maine’s largest LEED-certified building, and features modern, open workspaces and a wellness center.Jim Polewaczyk, an Idexx corporate vice president, guides guests through the company’s new bulding Friday following a ribbon cutting. Polewaczyk said the open environment allows for “a much higher level of productivity.”