Man-Tech Associates, an early developer of automated titration systems, was founded in 1995 and is part of a group of companies that includes Man-Sci and Mandel Scientific. Total group revenues are around $20 million and the group has 80 employees. Man-Tech began as a venture to develop and commercialize software and robotics for titration. According to Robert Menegotto, vice president and Business Development manager at Man-Tech, the company was the first to develop an automated software-based titration system that could function in the X-Y-Z plane. “The software and the robotics [for automated titration] were not on the market yet, so we received R&D grants from the federal government based on our ideas, because they were unique.” Because Man-Tech’s robotic sampling systems can move freely in a sizeable plane, the company’s AutoMAX autosamplers can perform analysis on 73, 122 or 197 samples. According to the company, the AutoMAX is the largest capacity automated titrator on the market. Nevertheless, with many companies now offering easy-to-control automated titration systems, Man-Tech has had to a find other ways to distinguish itself.

A majority of Man-Tech’s customers are in the environmental market. According to Mr. Menegotto, 70%–75% of the company’s business is with private and government laboratories involved in environmental research, which includes water testing for water conservation and homeland security. Newer growth for Man-Tech within this market is coming from process applications. “Our robotics and software lend themselves to easy integration with process technologies, with minimal changes,” said Mr. Menegotto. “With more legislation in regards to conservation, quality and security, [customers] are looking at a unit that has to go in the lab, and then they’re looking for a unit that has to go in the plant. It’s much more preferable to have the same unit in both locations, versus different units.” Man Tech also maintains a small presence within the petrochemical market.

In addition to its comprehensive automation capabilities, Man-Tech’s efforts to stand out from the competition include offering multiple-parameter systems. “We’re well known for the automation of multiple inorganic parameters from a single sample cup,” said Mr. Menegotto, referring to the company’s automated TitraSip system. Along with performing titrations, the TitraSip can measure pH, conductivity alkalinity, turbidity, hardness fluoride, coloring and chloride. “Many of our customers call us multiparameter—they don’t even have to use the word titration to describe us,” he said.

Man-Tech’s recent approach includes offering miniaturized systems. In March, the company introduced the BOD mini, an automated biological oxygen demand (BOD) system capable of analyzing 5–50 samples. Miniaturization also means lower prices. “Let’s just say that there’s a thousand labs out there. Twenty or thirty percent could justify [purchasing] the automation that was being presented on the marketplace, in terms of products,” explained Mr. Menegotto. “We thought it would be helpful to address the market segment that’s always hitting a roadblock on the financing and justification, but also shows a need for automation, both in software and robotics.” According to Mr. Menegotto, the company is still growing its presence in the BOD market.