Laboratory Equipment 

Company Announcements

In September, BINDER opened an 89,340 ft² (8,300 m²) Competence Factory in Tuttlingen, Germany.

In October, Panasonic Healthcare announced it will change its name to PHC in April 2018. Biomedical products will be sold under the brand name PHCbi.

In November, Hitachi Koki announced that it will change its name to Koki Holdings on June 1, 2018. Last month, the company’s new European subsidiary, Koki Holdings Europe, commenced operations.

Product Introductions

In September, Avidien Technologies released the microPro 300 96-channel pipettor and controller app for the Apple iPad Mini. The system combines a wirelessly connected touchscreen tablet with a compact semi-automated pipetting station. It is capable of transfers of 5–300 µL.

VistaLab Technologies launched in October the Ovation ali-Q, calling it the world’s only aliquoting pipette controller.

In October, Esco introduced the Containment Barrier Isolator–III, the latest addition to its series of Class III biological safety cabinets.

Panasonic Biomedical Sales Europe debuted in October a new VIP ECO Ultra Low Temperature Upright Freezer. It features an internal capacity of 729 L.

In October, Advantage-Lab released the three touch-screen carbon dioxide incubators. They feature a 200°C sterilization cycle.

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences introduced in October the Avanti J-15 Series of refrigerated, high-speed, benchtop centrifuges. The systems are designed to save time and increase versatility. They feature a maximum speed of 10,000 RPM and maximum sample capacity of 3 L.

In November, Labnet launched the Labnet mini centrifuge with the capacity for 8 place MCT and 4 place PCR stripe rotors.

Sales/Orders of Note

In October, Elemental Machines doubled the installation of its smart lab technology, the Elemental Machines Sensory Network, to support LabCentral’s recent expansion.

Laboratory Automation

Company Announcements

In October, Sarstedt, a supplier of consumables and lab automation equipment for medicine and science, announced the acquisition of ASSAYMATIC, which develops and sells devices, systems and software for lab automation for life science applications.

In November, the Pohlad family acquired PaR Systems, a provider of integrated robotic automation and specialized material handling solutions, from MML Capital Partners. The Pohlad family of operating companies includes United Properties and NorthMarq. PaR Systems has 380 employees.

Labcyte, maker of the Echo Liquid Handler and Access Automation platform, announced in November the extension of its personalized medicine collaboration with the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM). New applications include cell-based assay development and screening, advanced cell model development and integration of the Echo into the FIMM’s genomics program.

Brooks Automation Brooks Life Science Systems’ revenue for the fiscal year ending September 30 grew 37.6% to $148.7 million (see IBO 11/30/17), or 22% of total company’s revenues. Organically, segment sales increased 27%. Organic growth was driven by sample storage services, automated storage systems, including the BioStore III Cryo, and consumables and instruments. Consumables, infrastructure services and storage services account for 53% of segment revenue. In 2018, segment sales are estimated to increase more than 30%, including 20% organic growth, according to the company’s quarterly conference call.

Product Introductions

Peak Analysis & Automation (PAA) introduced the compact, affordable S-LAB automated plate handler for single-instrument loading, claiming the same reliability as a robotic arm. It features an on-board camera system, and handling of up to 100 unlidded or 80 lidded microplates.

Electrochemistry

Product Introduction

In October, Metrohm released enhancements to its Ti-Touch Titrator family of potentiometric and Karl Fischer titrators, and a new low-cost autosampler. New features include the ability to connect a second titration stand, do pH-stat titrations and fully automated analysis of up to 24 samples.