Washington, DC 9/1/17—The Carlyle Group, an alternative asset manager, has acquired a majority of Thomas Scientific, a provider of lab supplies and equipment. Thomas Scientific distributes 700,000 products from over 800 suppliers to 9,000 customers. Financial details were not disclosed. Family-owner Rob Patterson will retain a “significant” ownership stake. Charles Simmons will continue as president and CEO. “We believe in the Thomas Scientific brand and the value and service it provides its customers,” stated Carlyle Managing Director Adam Glucksman. “We are pleased to join with Rob Patterson and management to further grow the business.”

Based in New Jersey, Thomas Scientific is one of the largest private lab distribution companies in the US. This accquistion follows the announced sale of major publicly held distributor VWR to private equity firm New Mountain Capital earlier this year (see IBO 5/15/17). Thermo Fisher Scientific dominates lab distribution but new entrants can be expected to increase their investments with new funding and revised business objectives.