IBO includes the following technologies in its laboratory equipment section: lab centrifuges, transfection solutions, water purification systems, extraction techniques, gas generators, concentrators & evaporators, fume hoods, incubators, biological safety cabinets, bioreactors & fermentors, microwave-assisted chemistry, lab washers and shakers & stirrers. Although these products typically do not make measurements (as instruments do), they are invaluable to the overall functioning of the laboratory, and some directly contribute to particular instrumental techniques and methods. The overall laboratory equipment market accounted for nearly $4.2 billion in sales in 2015. The forecast calls for demand to grow 2.6% in 2016.

Given the large number of individual lab equipment product segments, the vendor situation is quite fragmented. Because of its broad participation in the majority of the techniques, Thermo Fisher Scientific holds the leading position in the lab equipment market, with a share of 19%. The company not only competes in most lab equipment markets but is the leader in a number of them, including centrifuges, transfection systems, incubators, biological safety cabinets and shakers & stirrers.

Merck KGaA, which now includes Sigma-Aldrich (see IBO 11/30/15), is the next largest vendor of lab equipment. While Merck is the dominant player in water purification systems, the purchase of Sigma-Aldrich also added important product lines in extraction, transfection solutions and other areas. In total, Merck’s market share is about 7%. With 6% of the 2015 market, Danaher is the third largest lab equipment vendor. Its contribution stems primarily from Beckman Coulter’s centrifuge business.

The remaining vendors among the top six are Eppendorf, Parker Hannifin and Sartorius, each with a market share of about 3%. Eppendorf and Sartorius both participate broadly in the market, with products in several categories. In contrast, Parker is the dominant player in a single area: gas generators. Another top vendor is Kawaunee Scientific.

The three largest lab equipment product segments are lab centrifuges, transfection solutions and water purification equipment. Each represents more than 10% of the market. Transfection distinguishes itself as the segment with the highest growth forecast, estimated at 6.9%. The technique enables some of the most exciting cell-based gene transfer protocols, helping to boost demand. Demand for centrifuges and water purification have more modest growth potential.

Other techniques with better-than-average growth forecasts this year include microwave-assisted chemistry, gas generators and lab washers. A newer emphasis on complete lab solutions is spurring demand for systems with greater programmability, remote monitoring and other communication capabilities. This provides a boost to average selling price, helping to grow the market. Miele is the dominant player, accounting for about half of total lab washer sales. Lancer, Steris and Labconco are the next most significant vendors.

Other product segments, such as fume hoods, incubators and biological safety cabinets, which (like lab washers) are often tied to new lab construction, will face a more challenging 2016, with forecast growth of less than 2%.