Company Announcements

The International Board of Biosafety Associations announced in April collaboration with Nuaire to improve the functionality of biological safety cabinets in Southeast Asia, Africa and other regions.

JG Finneran Associates appointed Chebios in June as its exclusive distributor for Italy.

Porvair reported that Seal Analytical sales for the half year ending May 31 grew 8%, or 4% in constant currency. Weaker sales in Europe were offset by stronger US sales.

In August, Wu Ming Kei (Eddy Wu) resigned as VWR’s senior vice president and president of Asia Pacific.

In September, VWR named Manuel Brocke-Benz to its Board. He is interim CEO, senior vice president and managing director of Europe, Lab and Distribution Services.

Tritech was named the exclusive distributor of South Korean firm Hanil Science Industrial’s lab products in North America.

In August, Materia’s exclusive catalyst distribution agreement with Sigma-Aldrich’s Aldrich Chemical business was extended for ten years.

Avantor Performance Materials named John M. Steitz president and CEO in August. Most recently, he served as president and COO at Albemarle.

James T. Rhind retired from Kewaunee Scientific’s Board in August, at which time the size of the Board was reduced from eight to seven members.

In October, Gerresheimer disclosed that it divested its majority share holding in China-based Kimble Bomex Glass, which was taken over by the local partner. The current business relationships and supply contracts remain in force. Kimble Bomex Glass had sales of €4.4 million ($5.6 million) and adjusted EBITDA of -€0.3 million (-$0.4 million) in the first three quarters of 2012. Gerresheimer will concentrate on its production in the Life Science Research segment on a subsidiary company in Beijing.

In October, Newport acquired Vistek, a manufacturer of advanced vibration isolation solutions. The companies have worked together since 2010.

Connecticut-based Macalaster Bicknell was acquired by Tim Grogan and Chris Lope, who were formerly in executive management at VWR. The private-equity joint venture was formalized in July.

Product Introductions

Cole-Parmer’s InnoCal division introduced calibration services for lab equipment in May.

In June, IKA added thermostats to its product line, with 16 different models.

Mettler-Toledo released in July the new Rainin E4 XLS line of pipettes, with joysticks and large color screens.

Sartorius launched the arium pro ultrapure water system, arium advance pure water system and arium comfort combination system for Type 1 and Type 3 water.