Acquisitions Signal Steady Growth Phase for Lab Supplies Company

UK equipment, chemicals and consumables provider Scientific Laboratory Supplies (SLS) has announced the acquisition of two businesses, West-Yorkshire-based Gem Scientific and Gateshead located Northern Balance. Both companies will continue to operate as independent entities and retain all employees.  

As a distributor of high quality laboratory products, including hygiene testing devices and consumables to sectors such as the food and beverage industry, for Gem Scientific the move will bring reinforcement of its supply chain as well as access to additional operational support from SLS.

Northern Balance, a provider of weighing solutions focusing on calibration, servicing and maintenance, brings to the group a team of highly experienced, customer-facing engineers, providing an exciting opportunity for SLS to develop a designated service business to enhance its current operations. These acquisitions signal the start of a long-term growth period for the parent company with plans for further acquisitions and recruitment to broaden its portfolio into a wider geographical area, including the UK, Ireland, East Africa and beyond.  

Justin Welton, Managing Director at Gem Scientific, commented: “We are committed to providing clients with high quality and innovative products, backed by first-class service and support. The new partnership with SLS will help to accelerate our growth, enhance our capabilities and expand our product portfolio. This is truly a great outcome for all our employees, partners and valued customers.”

Daniel Egan-Sheath, Managing Director at Northern Balance, added: “We share a similar mission with SLS and have closely tied values, focusing on delivering high quality products with the best possible customer service. This new working relationship with SLS will help us expand our capabilities and national footprint to provide a more thorough service to our customers.”  

Ian Roulstone, Managing Director at SLS, said: “These new additions to the SLS Group provide further opportunity to serve more customers with a broader range of products and first-class service. The move also secures the roles of all existing personnel and will provide further development and recruitment opportunities within a growing organisation that is completely customer focused. This is an important milestone for the SLS Group, and keeping the customer at the centre of our strategy will continue to drive us forward as we increase our product offerings and expand into new markets and geographies.”

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