Labtech International Ltd acquires MSE (UK) Ltd’s centrifuge business

Labtech International Limited, the niche scientific company celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year, has acquired the business of MSE (UK) Limited, the UK manufacturer of centrifuges.

MSE was founded in 1936, by Dr Ernest Foulkes, initially as a manufacturer and distributor of machine tools and equipment. With the founding of the UK National Health Service in 1948, MSE was retained by the NHS to develop hospital microtomes, which until then had not been manufactured in the UK. In the early 1950s, the newly formed Atomic Energy Authority approached MSE, requesting them to manufacture a range of centrifuges. Following Dr Foulkes’ retirement in 1972, MSE was acquired by Fisons.

In 1990, MSE was acquired by Sanyo and assimilated into the Gallenkamp brand. In 2003, Sanyo Gallenkamp sold the manufacturing wing of MSE to Henderson Biomedical Ltd and manufacturing moved to Lower Sydenham in South London. Following completion of the acquisition in 2018, Labtech has been working closely with Henderson Biomedical’s Board to ensure a smooth technology transfer.

Commenting on the acquisition, Dr Brian Page, Chairman of Labtech International Limited said: “This acquisition provides us with an opportunity to use our market knowledge and technical resources to develop another important range of scientific products.”

Mr Alex Henderson, Managing Director of Henderson Biomedical, said: “We had been discussing the possibility of a relationship between our companies for some time. We will be working closely with Labtech to ensure the success and development of the business in the future.”