Company Announcements

In May, Vapourtec named ACI (Applied Chemical & Instrument) as a distributor for Thailand.

In June, Global Cooling, the provider of Stirling Ultracold freezers, closed a $5.5 million combination of debt and equity financing.

Kewaunee Scientific reported record revenue for fiscal 2016 ending April 30, as sales grew 8.2% to $128.6 million (see IBO 6/30/16). With strength in both dealer and direct sales, Domestic sales advanced 10.7% to account for 80% of revenues. Despite healthy demand in Asia and the Middle East, International sales slipped 0.6%. Backlog expanded 11.5% to $100.5 million. Gross margin improved 10 basis points to 18.4%. Operating margin was unchanged at 4.4%.

Porvair announced in June that sales for the six months ending May 31 for Seal Analytical grew 13%, driven by demand in China and the US.

In July, eBay rebranded its business-to-business offering as eBay Business Supply. Products available include laboratory solutions.

Bioanalytical Systems announced in July a partnership to offer PalmsSens’ handheld electrochemical analyzers.

In August, Chata Biosystems named Midland Scientific as its exclusive distributor to fuel-based ethanol producers in North America.

Product Introductions

In May, Bibby Scientific introduced the models 550 and 570 portable pH meters.

VELP Scientifica introduced in May the MST Digital magnetic stirrer for stirring speed up to 1,500 rpm.

In May, VWR launched SciTivity, a free web solution that allows scientific researchers to plan, manage and share lab information to ease and improve experimentation.

Eppendorf released in May the Eppendorf Centrifuge 5920 R, which can accommodate up to 4 x standard 1 L Nalgene bottles, as well as up to 108 x 15 mL conical tubes and 52 x 50 mL conical tubes.

In June, Asynt introduced the GasTrap gas purifiers, available in optimized models for helium, hydrogen, nitrogen and pure air.

Gilson released in June the PLATEMASTER 96-channel manual pipette. It fills 96-well microplates in as little as 10 seconds. It requires only four steps for filling 384-well microplates. Two models are available depending on pipetting volume.

In June, Techcomp began sales of the Precisa Gravimetrics Series 390 semi-micro balances and analytical balances in China and Asia-Pacific.

Hach announced in June the release of the TL23 Series bench top turbidimeter, available in four models, with can measure up to 10,000 NTU and features a full-color touchscreen.

In July, Merck KGaA launched the Elix High-Throughput water purification system for daily water volumes of up to 9,000 L. It features remote monitoring.

Baker Ruskinn introduced in July the new InvivO2 range of physiological cell culture workstations, featuring three models.

In August, Artel announced the launch of the next generation of its PCS (Pipette Calibration System), featuring a unique operator assessment module. It will begin shipping in the fourth quarter.

Mystaire introduced in August the MY-ISO5 Vertical Laminar Flow Workstation for critical applications and material handling.

In August, Adam Equipment introduced the Astro Compact Scales for use in science classrooms.

Peak Scientific released in September the compact Solaris benchtop nitrogen gas generator system for labs using ELSD instruments and compact MS systems.