Company Announcements

In January, Sigma-Aldrich’s SAFC Pharma business began operations at its new 7,000-square-foot lab complex in Carlsbad, California. The facility augments SAFC’s biologics and assay-development capabilities.

MDS Analytical Technologies’ first-quarter sales for the quarter ended January 31 declined 27% to $85 million, including a 9% decline in revenue due to foreign-exchange effects (see IBO 3/15/09). Product revenue fell 26.1% to $68 million. Service revenue decreased 29.2%. End-user revenue declined 12%, including a 7% drop in MS end-user revenue. Excluding foreign exchange, sales of drug discovery and bio-research product lines declined 21%.

According to local news reports, in March, Thermo Fisher Scientific reduced its workforce of 450 in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, by 22, and reduced the workforce of more than 450 at its manufacturing site in Marietta, Ohio, by 24.

In March, PAC, a Roper Industries business, appointed Jeroen Schmits president. He was recently CEO of ANCA, an Australian global machine-tool manufacturer.

PerkinElmer announced a consultative collaboration for its OneSource Laboratory Services compliance solutions with Dr. Robert McDowall, an instrument qualification and computer-systems validation expert.

PerkinElmer announced 26% growth for the on-site services and support component of its OneSource Laboratory Services business in the US during 2008. OneSource on-site services now cover more than 55,000 analytical and life science laboratory assets at 52 US sites. Ten new US sites implemented OneSource on-site solutions last year.

ICX’s 2008 Detection sales rose 15.3% to $91.1 million (see IBO 4/15/09) to account for 53% of total company revenues. Product revenue grew 10.9% to make up 61% of Detection revenue; Contract Research and Development revenue increased 20.7% to $33.7 million to make up 37% of Detection revenue; and revenues for Customer, Service, Maintenance and Other grew 71.1%.

In March, Lonza named Anja Fiedler head of Lonza Bioscience, replacing Shawn Cavanagh. Ms. Fiedler most recently served as managing director of Philip Morris Czech Republic, Slovak Republic and Hungary.

Agilent announced an agreement with the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (IISc) and the Society for Innovation and Development to form the Agilent Measurement Science Center. Initially, Agilent and the IISc will establish a nano-measurement lab at IISc.

The Baltimore Sun reported that Life Technologies plans to add 50 jobs to its operations in Frederick, Maryland.

Smiths Detection’s revenues for the half year ended January 31 grew 5.0% to £233 million ($395 million) (see IBO 3/31/09). Operating margin declined from 15.8% to 10.2%. Excluding currency, sales fell 11% due primarily to declines in the ports and borders segment. The company reorganized its business into the Security & Inspection and the Military & Emergency Response units and created a COO position.