Company Announcements

Beijing SDL Technology, a Chinese supplier of environmental monitoring and analysis products, acquired a majority share of Kore, a provider of MS systems for the lab, process and surface science markets, in October 2015.

In November 2015, Fluidigm purchased patents related to ICP-based mass cytometry from PerkinElmer for $6.5 million. Fluidigm granted PerkinElmer a fully paid-up license to the patents in fields other than ICP-based mass analysis of atomic elements associated with a biological material, and equipment or reagents for such mass analysis.

In November 2015, Waters acquired Midland Precision Engineering, a manufacturer of MS components and Waters supplier, for $12 million, net of cash acquired.

DKK-TOA opened an office in Seoul, South Korea, in December 2015.

Shimadzu Analytical and Measuring Instruments third quarter FY16 sales ending December 31, 2015, jumped 11.4%, roughly 10% excluding currency, to ¥50.5 billion ($416.1 million = ¥121.42 = $1) to represent 62% of revenues (see IBO 2/15/16). Organic growth was driven by demand for LC, GC and MS from biopharmaceutical and chemical industries, especially in Europe, Southeast Asia and India. Segment operating profit expanded 46.1% to ¥7.3 billion ($60.4 million).

For the fiscal 2016 third quarter ending December 31, 2015, Hitachi High-Technologies Science and Medical Systems (SMS) sales grew 5% on a reported and currency-neutral basis to ¥41.9 billion ($345.1 million = ¥121.42= $1) to account for 29% of company revenues (see IBO 1/31/16). With particular strength in China and India, Electron Microscopes and Scientific Instruments sales advanced 11.9% and 3.8% to account for 18% and 13% of segment sales, respectively. SMS operating profit slipped 1% to ¥6.6 billion ($54.4 million).

Affymetrix fourth quarter 2015 sales improved 2.2%, 6.7% excluding currency, to $95.6 million (see IBO 2/29/16). Clinical markets and higher sales of flow cytometry products powered quarterly growth. Adjusted operating profit fell 18.1% to $8.2 million. Full-year 2015 sales advanced 3.1%, 6.8% excluding currency, to $359.8 million, led by demand for Axiom and cytogenetic products, as well as higher revenues from the clinical partnering and licensing business. Sales were partially offset by lower Expression and Genotyping revenue. Adjusted operating income jumped 42.8% to $40.3 million.

In February, Judges Scientific acquired CoolLED, a provider of illumination systems for fluorescence microscopy, for an initial cash consideration of £ 3.5 million ($5.0 million) and an earn out potential. CoolLED’s fiscal 2015 revenues totaled £2.5 million ($3.9 million).

Oxford Instruments announced in February that Jock Lennox will step down from its Board in September.

Reichert Technologies named Kalpana Singh as Division vice president and Business Unit manager. She previously served as vice president and general manger of Danaher’s 3-D dental imaging business.