Esco Technologies named Mike Martin general manager of US operations in March. He was previously general manager of Lancer Sales.

Esco Technologies established a subsidiary in Salisbury, UK, earlier this year.

On May 4, Becton, Dickinson and Company acquired Plasso Technology, a surface-engineering company that specializes in biological coatings for consumables, for $10 million in cash. Plasso joined BD Biosciences‘ Labware business.

According to the Durham News & Observer, Becton, Dickinson and Company’s BD Biosciences is expanding its Discovery Labware manufacturing facility in Durham, North Carolina. The $25 million investment will add 50,000 sq. ft. to the 190,000 sq. ft. facility and create 100 new jobs. BD will move plastic lab-tube manufacturing from Canaan, Connecticut to the expanded facility.

In May, Pall opened a Life Sciences Center of Excellence in Bangalore, India. The company also plans to open a Center in Pune to provide engineering solutions for its housings and systems portfolio.

Under a license and marketing agreement, QIAGEN NV will distribute Biomatrica’s room-temperature DNA storage technology, including exclusive marketing rights to products for the storage of purified DNA, and the companies will create custom-designed products.

On June 11, Gerresheimer AG completed an IPO on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange at a price of €40 ($54) per share, raising €912 million ($1.2 billion). The company’s Life Science Research business sells lab glassware, including the Kimble Kontes brand.

VWR began distribution of Biovest International’s Autovax ID automated cell culture device in North America in July.

VWR will distribute GenVault’s room-temperature biosample management products in North America.

RNAx GmbH signed a coexclusive multiyear strategic alliance with VWR Biosciences to represent its automated RNAi validation services in Europe.

SP Industries appointed Genevac its European Support Center.

Covidien, formerly Tyco Healthcare, began trading on the New Stock Exchange on July 2 following a spin out from Tyco. Covidien’s Pharmaceutical Products business includes the Specialty Chemicals unit that sells laboratory reagents and solvents, including the Mallinckrodt Baker and JT Baker brands. For the six months ended March 30, Specialty Chemical sales increased 14.7% to $210 million.

JULABO Labortechnik GmbH appointed Markus Juchheim managing director in July.

He is the son of JULABO founder Gerhard Juchheim.

BINDER GmbH established its representative office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as an independent subsidiary in June. The subsidiary employs eight staff members.