Grant Instruments

What Grant Instruments does

Grant Instruments (Cambridge) Ltd is a UK-headquartered, privately-held manufacturer of scientific laboratory instruments founded in 1959 and now operating as a subsidiary of Royston Instruments Ltd following a March 2025 change of ownership. The company designs and develops precision temperature-control equipment (including the ORCA closed-loop refrigerated circulator, EcoCool refrigerated baths, heated circulators, water baths, ultrasonic baths, immersion coolers, and CRFT liquid-nitrogen-free cryopreservation systems), life-science sample-preparation products (vortex mixers, shakers, rotators, thermoshakers, centrifuges, densitometers, orbital shaker-incubators, personal bioreactors, UV PCR cabinets and aspirators), and data-acquisition products under the Squirrel and OQ product lines supported by proprietary configuration and analysis software. Differentiated technologies include Intelligent Control Optimisation (ICO), adaptive refrigeration, natural R290 refrigerant platforms, and liquid-nitrogen-free controlled-rate freezing, with claimed outcomes of up to 80% energy reduction versus conventional compressor systems and approximately 1% of the running cost of liquid-nitrogen alternatives.

Name

Grant Instruments

Legal name

Grant Instruments (Cambridge) Ltd

Website

https://grantinstruments.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Grant Instruments (Cambridge) Ltd is a UK-based manufacturer founded in 1959 of scientific laboratory equipment spanning precision temperature control, life-science sample preparation, and data acquisition, sold through a global network of 100-plus distributors and direct e-commerce to research, healthcare, pharmaceutical and industrial customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Laboratory and Scientific Instruments

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

General Lab Equipment (Centrifuges, Incubators, Shakers, Ovens) (HLAGAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maintenance, Service Contracts & Equipment Repair (Field Service, Parts) (HLAGAIAN), Cold Chain & Temperature-Controlled Storage Equipment (IMAHAKAJ)

Keywords

• Laboratory temperature control
• Scientific instruments manufacturing
• Life science equipment
• Data acquisition systems
• Sample preparation instruments

Headquarters

HQ city

Shepreth

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Laboratory Equipment Sales: Grant Instruments generates revenue primarily through the sale of scientific equipment including temperature control products (circulators, baths, coolers), life science products (mixers, shakers, centrifuges, bioreactors), data loggers, and accessories. Products are sold directly through their e-commerce platform and through global distributor network.
2. Accessories and Spare Parts: The company sells replacement parts, tank lids, covers, racks, inserts, pumps, tubing, probes, calibration equipment, and furniture to support their equipment lifecycle.
3. Software Licenses: Squirrel data logger software including SQS100 (free), SQS200 (single user £650), SQS300 (multi-user £1,950), PaintView (free), and LABWISE control software (£133).
4. Service and Support: The company offers calibration services, repairs, warranty registration, and technical support. Annual calibration is recommended for systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Grant Instruments designs, manufactures, and sells scientific laboratory equipment spanning precision temperature control (refrigerated and heated circulators, water baths, immersion coolers, ultrasonic baths, dry block heaters, controlled rate freezing units), life science instruments (vortex mixers, shakers, rotators, thermoshakers, centrifuges, densitometers, orbital shaker incubators, personal bioreactors, UV PCR cabinets, aspirators), and data acquisition systems (Squirrel data loggers with configuration, analysis, and control software). The company also sells accessories and spare parts supporting the equipment lifecycle, with products distributed globally through a direct e-commerce storefront and a network of over 100 scientific and data acquisition distributors.

Product overview

Grant Instruments is a UK-based manufacturer of scientific laboratory equipment with a diversified portfolio organized into four main product categories: Temperature Control (including refrigerated circulators like ORCA and EcoCool, heated circulators, immersion coolers, water baths, ultrasonic baths, and controlled rate freezing systems), Life Science Products (including vortex mixers, shakers, rotators, thermoshakers, centrifuges, densitometers, orbital shaker incubators, personal bioreactors, UV PCR cabinets, and aspirators), Data Acquisition & Analysis (including data loggers and software for monitoring and analysis), and Accessories & Spare Parts. The products are primarily laboratory instruments for temperature control, sample preparation, mixing, separation, and data monitoring, serving scientific, healthcare, and industrial markets worldwide. The company operates under Grant Instruments (Cambridge) Ltd in the UK and has US operations through Grant USA Inc.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ORCA Closed Loop Refrigerated Recirculating Circulator Sustainability-focused closed-loop refrigerated circulator using adaptive refrigeration technology to match cooling power to heat load, reducing energy consumption and heat rejection, designed for laboratories seeking to replace tap-water cooling.
• EcoCool Refrigerated Circulating Baths Energy-efficient refrigerated circulating baths with temperature range from -30°C to +150°C (model dependent), reducing energy consumption by up to 80% compared with conventional compressor systems and using natural R290 refrigerant.
• Optima TXF200 Advanced Heated Circulator High-performance ultra-precise heated circulator providing temperature control for demanding laboratory applications.
• Optima TX150 Advanced Heated Circulator Advanced heated circulator delivering precise temperature control for laboratory applications.
• Optima T100 Advanced Heated Circulator Accurate, reliable heated circulator for routine laboratory heating applications.
• Optima TC120 Advanced Heated Circulator Precise, versatile heated circulator for laboratory applications.
• CC26R Refrigerated Immersion Cooler Refrigerated immersion cooler designed for OLS26 applications.
• CGR Refrigerated Immersion Coolers Continuous, efficient cooling for laboratory baths and external vessels.
• LTC4R Refrigerated Circulating Bath Refrigerated circulating bath combining TX150 heating circulator with powerful refrigeration.
• R52 Series Refrigerated Circulating Bath Powerful refrigeration unit offering cost-effective temperature control.
• R4R Series Refrigerated Circulating Bath Heating circulator combined with powerful R4R refrigeration for versatile temperature control.
• OLS Aqua Pro Shaking Water Bath Shaking water bath offering combined orbital and linear shaking for precision temperature control.
• LSB Aqua Pro Linear Shaking Water Bath Range Precise temperature control with smooth linear shaking for reliable laboratory performance.
• Sub Aqua Pro Unstirred Water Baths Advanced digital unstirred water baths for applications requiring high accuracy and stability.
• JB Nova Unstirred Water Baths General-purpose laboratory unstirred water baths offering stable temperature control.
• JB Academy Unstirred Water Baths Simple, reliable unstirred water baths designed for education and routine laboratory use.
• SBB Aqua Plus Boiling Bath Robust, reliable laboratory boiling bath for continuous 100°C operation.
• XUB Digital Ultrasonic Bath Range High-performance precisely controlled ultrasonic baths for laboratory cleaning and processing.
• XUBA Analogue Ultrasonic Bath Range Simple, reliable ultrasonic baths in a compact analogue-controlled format.
• Controlled Rate Freeze Thaw (CRFT) Liquid-nitrogen-free controlled rate freezing and thawing system designed to maximise cell survival in cryopreservation workflows, with temperature range -100°C to 30°C.
• Gradient Plates (GRD1R LH) Highly effective temperature gradient plates for research applications, built to order.
• BTD Dry Block Heater for Microtubes Digital dry block heating system for microtubes.
• QB Series Dry Block Heating Systems Precise, contamination-free dry block heating for tubes, vials, and plates.
• BT5D High Temperature Dry Block Heater High-temperature dry block heater providing precise heating up to 400°C.
• PCH Series Personal Benchtop Cooler/Heater Benchtop dry block cooler/heater for laboratory applications requiring cooling and heating of samples.
• CH3-150 Combitherm-2 Dry Block Heating/Cooling System Combined heating and cooling dry block system for thermostabilisation of materials.
• PCMT Thermoshaker Variable speed, variable temperature thermoshaker with cooling for microtubes and microplates, temperature range +4°C to +100°C and shaking speed 250 to 1400 rpm.
• TS-DW Deep Well Plate Thermoshaker Thermoshaker designed for shaking and heating of deep well plates.
• PHMT Thermoshaker Compact, efficient and versatile thermoshaker for laboratory applications.
• PHMP Series Thermoshakers for Microplates Thermoshaker for shaking 1 to 4 standard 96-well plates with thermal regulation.
• PCMT PLUS Thermo-Shaker Thermo-shaker with cooling for microtubes and PCR plates for intensive mixing.
• V-32 Vortex Mixer Intensive vortex mixing of samples in tubes using an eccentric mechanism.
• PV-1 Vortex Mixer Vortex mixer for intensive mixing of samples.
• MSV-3500 Multi Speed Vortex Versatile multi speed vortex mixer for soft or intensive mixing of reagents.
• PCV-6000 Combined Centrifuge/Vortex Mixer Next-generation combined centrifuge and vortex for separation and mixing.
• PCV-2400 Combined Centrifuge/Vortex Mixer Centrifuge/vortex designed for life science research and biochemistry applications.
• MSC-2P Centrifuge/Vortex for PCR Plates Compact benchtop digital centrifuge and vortex mixer for PCR plates.
• CVP-2 All-in-one PCR Plate Centrifuge/Vortex All-in-one PCR plate centrifuge/vortex mixer for simultaneous sample preparation.
• MS-3000 High Speed Magnetic Stirrer Compact magnetic stirrer with stainless steel working surface for stirring liquids.
• MMS-3000 Magnetic Stirrer Compact magnetic stirrer for handling small volumes in routine laboratory work.
• PSU-20i Orbital Shaking Platform Benchtop multifunctional orbital shaking platform for laboratory applications.
• PSU-10i Orbital Shaking Platform Benchtop multifunctional orbital shaking platform for laboratory applications.
• PMS-1000i Microplate Shaker Microplate shaker designed for immuno-diagnostics and mixing of biological liquids.
• MSH-300i Digital Magnetic Hotplate Stirrer Digital magnetic stirrer with heating for laboratories with higher requirements.
• MPS-1 High Speed Shaker Vortex Mixer High-speed multi-plate shaker for mixing small volumes in microplates, PCR plates, and deepwell plates.
• MM-1000 Overhead Stirrer Multi Mixer Overhead stirrer designed for stirring liquids up to 20 litres with quiet operation.
• CPS-20 CO2 Shaker Orbital motion platform shaker designed for use inside CO2 incubators.
• PTR-35 and PTR-60 360° Vertical Multi-function Rotator Compact variable-speed variable-angle vertical rotators providing vertical rotation, reciprocation, and rocking.
• PS-3D Variable Speed, Fixed-Angle 3D Rotator Compact 3D platform rotator providing smooth orbital motion for personal-sized mixing.
• PTR-25 360° Vertical Mini Rotator Compact vertical mini rotator for laboratory mixing applications.
• PS-M3D Variable Speed/Angle Multi-Function 3D Rotator Multi-function 3D rotator for biochemistry, immunochemistry, microbiology and genetic engineering applications.
• PMR-30 Platform 2D Rocker Small, fixed-angle platform rocker providing smooth rocking motion.
• PMR-100 Platform Rocker Adjustable angle and speed platform rocker for soft or intensive side-to-side rocking.
• CTR-6 CO2 Tube Roller CO2 resistant tube roller providing regulated rocking and rolling for up to 6 rollers.
• LMC-56 Benchtop Centrifuge Multipurpose benchtop laboratory centrifuge with a wide selection of rotors.
• LMC-3000 Low Speed Benchtop Centrifuge Low speed benchtop centrifuge for biomedical applications.
• LMC-4200R Benchtop Centrifuge with Refrigeration Low speed modern benchtop centrifuge with refrigeration for temperature-sensitive samples.
• Microspin 12 High-speed Microcentrifuge Compact high-speed benchtop mini centrifuge with built-in rotor for 12 microtubes.
• MICROSPIN 12 PLUS Compact benchtop high-speed mini-centrifuge for biomedical laboratories.
• DEN-600 Photometer Compact, portable, rechargeable battery powered photometer for density measurements.
• DEN-1 and DEN-1B Densitometers Compact benchtop densitometers (suspension turbidity meters) for measuring turbidity.
• ES-20/80 Orbital Shaker-Incubator Advanced shaker-incubator for biotechnological and pharmaceutical laboratories providing mixing of biological liquids, incubation, and cultivation.
• ES-80 Shaker-Incubator Professional-grade shaker-incubator for biotechnological and pharmaceutical laboratories.
• ES-20 Compact Shaker-Incubator Compact desktop shaker-incubator for mixing biological liquids, incubation, and cultivation.
• ES-20/80C Shaker-Incubator with Cooling Advanced shaker-incubator with cooling for biotechnological and pharmaceutical laboratories.
• RTS-1C Personal Bioreactor with Cooling Personal bioreactor with cooling providing Reverse-Spin technology for fermentation trials and condition screening.
• RTS-8 Plus Personal Bioreactor Personal multi-channel bioreactor with advanced features.
• RTS-8 Personal Bioreactor Personal multi-channel bioreactor with non-invasive real-time OD measurements.
• RTS-1 Personal Bioreactor Personal bioreactor providing Reverse-Spin technology for fermentation trials.
• UVT-S-AR PCR Workstation Large capacity stainless steel PCR UV cabinet workstation with additional space for equipment.
• UVT-B-AR Economy PCR UV Cabinet Economical general purpose PCR UV cabinet for short-term procedures.
• UVCT-M-AR PCR UV Cabinet Efficient general-purpose stainless steel PCR UV cabinet workstation.
• FTA-2i Advanced Aspirator with Trap Flask Advanced aspirator with 2L trap flask for removal of liquids from reaction vessels.
• FTA-1 Aspirator with Trap Flask Aspirator with 1L trap flask for aspiration of remaining alcohol, buffer, and liquid.
• SQ16 Data Logger Low-power data logger designed for indoor use by professional users.
• sqhub Data Logger Smart-technology data logger with hub functionality, simple to control.
• sq16plus Data Logger Enhanced version of the SQ16 data logger with advanced features.
• OQ610-S Temperature Logger Temperature logger suitable for a wide range of temperature recording applications.
• OMK 610 KIT1 Temperature Profiling System OQ610 logger with enhanced thermal barrier for operation up to 250°C.
• SQS100 Data Analysis Software Free basic configuration software for SQ16 and SQ16 PLUS data loggers.
• PaintView Software Software for paint and finishing industry applications using Grant data loggers.
• SQS300 Professional Data Analysis Software Multi-user professional configuration and analysis software for data loggers.
• SQS200 Professional Data Analysis Software Single-user professional configuration and analysis software for data loggers.
• LABWISE Control & Monitoring Software PC-based control and monitoring platform for programming, controlling, and recording temperature data across laboratory instruments.

Quantifiable outcome

• EcoCool reduces energy consumption by up to 80% compared to conventional compressor systems
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Eltek LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2025Grant Instruments acquired Eltek Limited to extend data logging and cloud capabilities. This strategic acquisition strengthens Grant's position in the data acquisition and monitoring market.
• Dichbio (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScientific distributor covering Guangzhou, China region. Located at Floors 1-7, Building T6, PCI Park, No. 30 Kaitai Avenue, Huangpu District, Guangzhou.
• WolfLabsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based scientific distributor located at Colenso House, 1 Dean's Lane, Pocklington, York YO42 2PX.
• Fisher Scientific (UK and Sweden)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor global lab equipment distributor with UK operations in Loughborough and Sweden operations in Gothenburg.
• VWR InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor global lab equipment distributor with operations in Belgium, UK, and USA.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Australia and New Zealand)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor global lab equipment and scientific instrumentation distributor covering Australia and New Zealand regions.
• Merck Life Science Sp. z o.o. (Poland)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScientific distributor for Poland region, part of Merck Group.
• Camlab (UK)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based scientific distributor located at Camlab House, Norman Way Industrial Estate, Cambridge.
• Grant Instruments India Private LimitedminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndia-based subsidiary/distributor at Maharaja Surajmal Marg, Vishwas Nagar Extension, Delhi.
• Acquitek (France)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorData acquisition distributor for France region located at 1 bis rue Marcel Paul, 91300 Massy.
• Amber Instruments (UK)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorData acquisition distributor for UK region located at Dunston House, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
• BSRIA Instrument Solutions (UK)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorData acquisition distributor for UK region at Old Brakkland Lane, Bracknell, Berkshire.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Julabo: German specialist in temperature-control solutions including refrigerated/heated circulators, water baths and immersion coolers — directly comparable core product line to Grant's temperature-control portfolio, with similar pharma/research/government end markets.
• Peter Huber Kältemaschinenbau: German manufacturer of high-precision circulators and temperature-control systems used in research and industrial labs — overlapping product line with Grant's Optima circulators, EcoCool baths and immersion coolers, with comparable pharma and academic customer base.
• Eppendorf: German life-science lab equipment maker with centrifuges, shakers, mixers, bioreactors and temperature-control instrumentation — direct competitor across Grant Bio product lines and overlapping pharma/biotech/research customers.
• IKA: German laboratory technology manufacturer of shakers, mixers, stirrers, thermoshakers and circulators — strong overlap with Grant's Life Science and Temperature Control categories and similar global distributor-led go-to-market.
• Benchmark Scientific: US-based manufacturer of benchtop lab equipment including vortex mixers, centrifuges, hotplates and shakers — direct overlap with Grant's entry-level life-science product range sold into academic and clinical labs.

Emerging players

• Torrey Pines Scientific: US niche manufacturer of temperature-control products (chillers, dry baths, heated plates) — narrower product set than Grant but directly comparable technology and target customers in pharma and academic labs.
• Hettich: German specialist in centrifuges and incubators used in clinical and research labs — narrow but direct overlap with Grant's centrifuge range (LMC-56, LMC-3000, Microspin 12) and similar European manufacturing/sales model.

Broad incumbents

• Cole-Parmer / Antylia Scientific: Broad lab-supply distributor and private-label manufacturer of stirrers, circulators, baths and shakers — overlapping catalogue with Grant's temperature-control and life-science lines, sold through a much larger direct sales channel.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Global lab-instrument and consumables giant distributing competing temperature-control, centrifuge, shaker and bioreactor products through its Fisher Scientific channel — Grant simultaneously competes with and distributes through Thermo Fisher in APAC.
• Avantor / VWR: Global lab-supply distributor offering competing temperature-control, mixing and sample-prep instrumentation — overlapping distribution relationship and end-customer base with Grant in EMEA and North America.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/grantinstrument

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grant Instruments