Company Announcements

German distributor Altmann Analytik acquired Dinkelberg analytics in January.

Techcomp announced in January that it will acquire the remaining 49% equity interest in Jingke Scientific, a Chinese instrument manufacturer, and 51% equity interest in Jingke Trading from INESA Electron for $2.1 million. The Jingke companies had 2012 sales of $10.2 million.

Agilent Technologies named Dr. Paul B. Watkins, director of the Hamner–University of North Carolina Institute for Drug Safety Sciences, a recipient of an Agilent Thought Leader Award for his work developing integrated methods to predict drug-induced liver injury.

For the fiscal third quarter ending December 31, 2013, Hitachi High-Technologies Science and Medical Systems (SMS) sales rose 38.2% to ¥33.3 billion ($331.3 million) due to currency and the SII NanoTechnology acquisition (see IBO 12/15/12) (see IBO 1/31/14). Sales of Electron Microscopes and Other Scientific Instruments climbed 14.8% and 106.9% to account for 19% and 18% of SMS sales, respectively. Demand for scientific instruments from the private sector remained weak. Sales of Biotechnology and Other products grew 21.4% to represent 10%. Sales of Medical products grew 35.9% to represent 53%. SMS raised its fiscal 2014 revenue outlook 3% to ¥145.1 billion ($1.4 billion) for growth of 9%, including 21.1% growth for Scientific Instruments and 2.5% growth for Biotechnology & Medical Products. SMS operating profit outlook was upped 12% to ¥15.3 billion ($153 million) for 12% growth.

Danaher’s fourth quarter 2013 Environmental revenue grew 10%, including 3.5% growth for core revenue. Core revenue for Water Quality grew in mid-single digits, with double-digit growth in China and solid demand in the North American industrial market. In 2013, Environmental revenue rose 8.5%, including 3.5% growth for core revenue. Sales from Water Quality’s existing businesses grew in the mid-single digits. Fourth quarter 2013 Life Science revenue grew in the low single digits, with sales up over 20% in the Middle East and up double digits in Latin America and Western Europe. AB SCIEX core sales grew low single digits, and Leica Microsystems core sales declined low single digits. In 2013, sales from existing Life Sciences businesses grew in the mid-single digits.

Corning Life Sciences sales increased 29.5% in 2013 to $851 million (see IBO 2/28/14), which is 11% of Corning’s total revenues. Labware and cell culture products accounted for 62% and 38% of segment sales, respectively. Two customers accounted for 44% of segment sales.

In February, Spectris named Eoghan O’Lionaird Business Group director for the Materials Analysis and Test & Measurement segments. Most recently, he served as president of Leica Microsystems. Jim Webster, business group director, plans to retire in the first half of this year.

Sartorius named Michael Melingo head of Marketing, Sales and Services for the Lab Products & Services Division, effective April 1. Previously, he served as CEO of Metrohm’s US subsidiary.