Founded in Germany in 1956, family-owned LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG (LAUDA) has become one of the most well-known companies for laboratory temperature-control equipment. Today, the company boasts $120 million in annual sales and a workforce of 600. End-markets served include the pharma/biotech (32% of sales), automotive (20%), chemical (20%), medicine (10%) and semiconductor (5%) industries and Other (13%).

LAUDA has consistently expanded its range of constant-temperature equipment. LAUDA’s current offerings span laboratory, QC and production applications. Company product lines include water baths, thermostats, chillers, deep freezers, heating and cooling systems, and shakers and shaking incubators, as well as accessories, software, services and customized systems. In addition, its LAUDA Scientific subsidiary offers viscometers focusing on measurements of polymers, surfaces, oils and surfactants.

LAUDA President and CEO Dr. Gunther Wobser discussed with IBO the company’s laboratory products and business.

IBO: What are some of the best selling or most well-known lab products of LAUDA?

Dr. Wobser:

LAUDA is known for its high-quality temperature control solutions. Some of our popular product lines include:

• LAUDA PRO product line. These are compact circulation thermostats offering professional temperature control from -90°C to 250°C. LAUDA PRO is fit for the future and features an outstanding overall design. These circulation thermostats feature a small filling volume and a powerful Vario flex pump that enables fast temperature changes with low operating costs and material consumption. These devices are available with two innovative operating units: Base or Command Touch. Both are removable and can be used as a remote control.
• LAUDA Integral process thermostats. They offer maximum connectivity, performance and dynamics. An integrated bypass for greater flexibility and easy operation makes the Integral line the ideal process thermostats for numerous scenarios. Whether in the aerospace or automotive industries, in the chemical or pharmaceutical industries or in biotechnology, the three Integral variants (T, XT and P) are reliable, trusty companions.
• LAUDA ECO product line. The line features economical temperature control from -50°C to 200°C. The ECO line includes heating, low-temperature and calibration thermostats that are appropriate for numerous applications. They are available in Silver (LCD) or Gold (color TFT display) models with a large number of interface modules as accessories. The circulation pump can be adjusted on six levels. The low-temperature thermostats are equipped by default for operation with natural refrigerants.

IBO: One of LAUDA’s latest products is the Universa line of bath and circulation thermostats. Please describe one of the most challenging applications for which the new Universa MAX can be used.

Dr. Wobser:

Building on the success of these product lines, LAUDA recently presented an innovative new series called Universa at the analytica 2024 in Munich and the ACHEMA 2024 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The market launch will take place in 2025. This new line is set to replace the previous Alpha, ECO, and PRO (including Proline) product lines, offering numerous advantages over its predecessors. The Universa line represents the commitment of LAUDA to continuous improvement and adaptation to evolving customer needs.

The LAUDA Universa MAX, as the high-performance variant in the Universa product line, is capable of handling demanding temperature control applications. One particularly challenging application could be in materials testing, e.g., fuel cells, or research, specifically, chemical syntheses with highly exothermic reactions in chemical research, where precise temperature control over a wide range is required.

The new, innovative LAUDA Universa appliance line offers a comprehensive range of bath and circulation thermostats in three primary performance classes, making it easier to find your way around the portfolio. With the three variants Universa ECO, Universa PRO and Universa MAX, all requirements are met, from cost-effective entry-level devices to high-performance professional thermostats. This means that the bath thermostat with the perfect price-performance ratio can be selected for every application.

The modular design of the bath thermostats ensures maximum flexibility: standardized bath sizes and different performance control units and accessories can be combined with one another almost without exception. All bath thermostats are designed for both internal and external temperature-control applications. Device characteristics include high precision when maintaining a constant temperature and maximum speed when reaching the target temperature, as well as outstanding dynamics in the event of temperature jumps:

• Max. cooling output 1.5 kW
• Max. heating output 3.6 kW
• Temperature range from −90°C to 300°C
• Temperature stability up to 0.01 K

IBO: How have the company’s products changed in recent years to adapt to the growing market demand for greater sustainability/energy efficiency? What does the future hold for this?

Dr. Wobser:

LAUDA has been focusing on improving energy efficiency and sustainability in our products. Some examples include:

• Development of more energy-efficient cooling systems, e.g., frequency-controlled compressors which reduce power consumption to a minimum
• Implementation of advanced insulation materials
• Integration of smart control systems for optimized performance
• Utilization of natural refrigerants
• Service friendly design to enable a longer operating lifetime

IBO: How does LAUDA Instruments differentiate its viscometer products from competitors’ products?

Dr. Wobser:

LAUDA Scientific viscometers are known for their precision, versatility and automation capabilities. Here’s a breakdown of how they might differ from competitors:

• LAUDA Scientific viscometer systems are designed to deliver highly accurate and reproducible results. This is crucial for research and QC applications.
• LAUDA Scientific offers a wide range of viscometers to suit practically all polymer applications and to operate with all relevant solvents for the polymer industry. Working with 96% sulfuric acid and other hazardous materials can be done with ease and safety.
• LAUDA Scientific viscometers can be equipped with advanced automation features, like sample preparation and the VAS autosampler for streamlining workflows and increasing efficiency, especially for QC in polymer production plants.
• The accompanying software is intuitive and provides comprehensive robustness, making measurements and report generation straightforward. It also offers various ways to store and export data to a LIMS system and also includes options for 21 CFR Part 11 integration for pharmaceutical applications.
• LAUDA Scientific can provide tailored solutions to meet specific application needs, data export formats and LIMS systems. This improves the integration of viscometry into the IT environment and data collection system of production plants, quality labs, etc.
• Strong customer service and technical support are essential for long-term satisfaction. LAUDA Scientific is known for its commitment to assisting customers, giving support with difficult samples and offering regular service packages to allow a smooth 24/7 operation of the viscometers.
• We are offering norm compliance, i.e., our viscometer adheres to relevant industry standards, ease of use and maintenance, considers the daily operation with hazardous solvents and offers attractive costs, as the LAUDA Scientific products are a long-term investment with long-term support, which can also grow with capacity needs.

IBO: How is the company addressing current market challenges such as reduced lab spending in China and in the pharma market?

Dr. Wobser:

LAUDA responds to current market challenges by offering cost-effective, high-quality solutions that enable laboratories and research facilities to maintain their operations and productivity even in a challenging economic environment. Two product lines that exemplify this approach are the Alpha immersion thermostats and the Microcool circulation chillers.

LAUDA Alpha immersion thermostats provide a cost-effective solution for simple temperature-control tasks in laboratories. These devices are designed for easy operation and quick installation on various bath vessels, making them versatile and user-friendly. With a temperature range of 25°C to 100°C, LAUDA Alpha immersion thermostats are suitable for a wide range of applications with non-flammable liquids. Their adaptability is further enhanced by optional accessories such as the pump circulation set and cooling coil, allowing users to create a complete temperature-control system as needed. This flexibility is especially valuable in markets where budget constraints may limit the purchase of larger units.

For more specialized cooling needs, LAUDA offers the Microcool circulation chiller line. These compact devices provide cooling outputs ranging from 0.25 kW to 1.2 kW, covering temperatures from -10°C to 40°C. The Microcool line stands out in its price category due to its premium quality block pump with magnetic coupling. This feature prevents seal issues on the pump shaft, ensuring reliable continuous operation in laboratory and research applications. The user friendly interface, with a large LED display and membrane keypad, makes these chillers easy to operate.

IBO: Can you describe the company’s strategic initiatives for growth?

Dr. Wobser:

LAUDA has implemented a number of strategic initiatives to drive sustainable growth and maintain its position as a leader in temperature-control solutions. These initiatives reflect the commitment of LAUDA to innovation, market responsiveness and long-term success.

The strategic approach at LAUDA focuses on several key areas. First, the company continues to invest in research and development, creating innovative products that address the evolving needs of customers in various industries. This is exemplified by the recent introduction of the new Mobifreeze and the versatile Universa product line.

Secondly, LAUDA is expanding its digital offering by integrating smart technologies into its products and services. This includes the development of LAUDA.LIVE, the Command App and enhanced connectivity options that add significant value to the company’s core product range.

In addition, LAUDA is strengthening its global presence, adapting to regional market requirements while maintaining consistent quality and service standards worldwide. The company is also emphasizing sustainability in its operations and product development, in line with growing environmental concerns in the industry.

These strategic initiatives demonstrate the proactive approach of LAUDA to market challenges and opportunities. By focusing on innovation, digitalization, global expansion and sustainability, LAUDA aims to achieve steady growth and strengthen its position as a trusted partner for temperature-control solutions in laboratories and industry.