Shanghai, China 5/23/18—PerkinElmer has acquired Shanghai Spectrum Instruments (SSI), a China-based manufacturer of analytical instruments. SSI’s product line includes photoelectric colorimeters, UV/Vis spectrophotometers, atomic absorption spectrophotometers and accessories. It serves a variety of end-markets in 10 countries. “This acquisition helps us build upon our China presence through SSI’s strong, localized market position while further solidifying PerkinElmer’s leadership in atomic absorption technologies,” said Jim Corbett, executive vice president and president, Discovery & Analytical Solutions, for PerkinElmer. “The combination of instrumentation and synergistic commercial activities will enable us to deliver high-quality analytical testing to a wider customer base throughout China and other emerging market regions.”

Nam-Hoon Kim, president, Discovery & Analytical Solutions (DAS), Asia-Pacific, at PerkinElmer, told IBO, “Localization is key for competitiveness, especially in China, to participate in government tenders.” He also noted that the acquisition will help PerkinElmer’s position against local competitors and enable product development teams to be closer to customers in order to address local market needs. Regarding PerkinElmer’s current manufacturing and R&D footprint in China for its DAS unit, he noted that the deal “support[s] the opportunities related to increased regulations on food and environmental quality and safety [and] help[s] support the expansion into the Western region and other untapped cities in China.”

In 2017, China accounted for 17% of PerkinElmer’s sales, rising 11.3% to total $375 million. In 2012, the company opened a customer knowledge center and global applications development center, as well as announced a new global software R&D team, at its Chinese headquarters in Shanghai.