What Flow Sciences does

Flow Sciences is a privately held manufacturer of laboratory and pharmaceutical containment enclosures, founded in the 1980s and headquartered in Leland, North Carolina. The company designs and produces a catalog of more than 500 specialized configurations, including the Vented Balance Enclosure (VBE), Hybrid Isolator, Glovebox Workstation (LFBC), Analytical Process Isolator, Drysolator, Nitrogenema II, LEV III, and the SAF T FLOW fume hood series. Core engineering relies on HEPA filtration, laminar airflow, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling, with every unit undergoing Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) per ASHRAE 110-2016 and third-party surrogate powder validation. ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing is performed in-house at the Leland facility.

Revenue is generated through four primary streams: sales of configured containment products (hardware), replacement parts and accessories, ISO 9001-certified contract manufacturing services spanning aerospace, defense, medical devices, industrial equipment, electronics, and marine sectors, and ongoing technical support and maintenance services. Pricing is quote-based, with no public list pricing. The go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales, a distribution partner network, a self-service digital layer (Fume Hood Builder, Containment Process Builder, TaskMatch database), and a dedicated government contracting capability.

Flow Sciences serves pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturers (primary, including HPAPI handling and USP <800> compliance), government and research institutions (US Department of Defense, national laboratories, universities, hospitals), life sciences and biotechnology firms, chemical processors, and industrial manufacturers. The company operates a global supply footprint through its Flow Sciences China division and a newly opened Research Triangle Park showroom and training facility.

Name

Flow Sciences

Legal name

Flow Sciences, Inc.

Website

https://flowsciences.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Flow Sciences is a private manufacturer of laboratory containment systems — including vented balance enclosures, gloveboxes, isolators, and fume hoods — serving pharmaceutical, biotech, government research, and industrial clients globally with 500+ configured products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Laboratory Containment Equipment

NAICS

Industrial and Commercial Fan and Blower and Air Purification Equipment Manufacturing (333413), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341)

SIC

Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821)

akta.pro primary industry

Lab Safety, PPE & Contamination Control (Hoods, Biosafety Cabinets, Clean Air) (HLAGAIAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Ventilation, Ducting & Air Distribution Equipment (IMAHAKAG)

Keywords

• Laboratory containment equipment
• Pharmaceutical containment enclosures
• Fume hoods manufacturing
• Glovebox isolator systems
• Contract metal fabrication

Headquarters

HQ city

Leland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Containment Enclosures and Products: Sale of standard containment products including vented balance enclosures, gloveboxes, isolators, fume hoods, and related equipment. Products are manufactured to order with configurable options.
2. Contract Manufacturing Services: Precision fabrication and contract manufacturing services including CNC machining, welding, sheet metal fabrication, finishing, and assembly. ISO 9001-certified processes serving industries including aerospace, medical devices, industrial equipment, electronics, life sciences, food & beverage, automotive, and marine.
3. Parts and Accessories: Replacement parts including HEPA filters, fans, gloves, and other components for containment systems. Filter replacement services using bag-in/bag-out (BIBO) procedures.
4. Technical Support Services: Technical support, troubleshooting, certification assistance, and maintenance services for containment equipment. Includes remote troubleshooting, on-site visits, and web conference training.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Flow Sciences designs, engineers, and manufactures advanced containment enclosures for laboratory and pharmaceutical environments handling hazardous powders, fluids, and gases. Core offerings include vented balance enclosures (VBE), glovebox workstations, isolators, and chemical fume hoods used for handling APIs, HPAPIs, and other toxic compounds. The company also provides ISO 9001-certified contract manufacturing services (CNC machining, welding, sheet metal fabrication) and online configuration tools for designing custom containment solutions.

Product overview

Flow Sciences is a provider of advanced containment solutions for laboratory and pharmaceutical environments, offering a portfolio of specialized hardware products organized into three main categories: containment enclosures (including vented balance enclosures, gloveboxes, isolators, and fume hoods), contract manufacturing services, and software tools for product configuration. The core product line centers on the Vented Balance Enclosure (VBE) and its variants including the Original VBSE™, Top Mount Enclosure (ETA Series), Hybrid Isolator, Glovebox Workstation (LFBC™), Analytical Process Isolator, Drysolator™, Nitrogenema™/Nitrogenema II™, and LEV III™. The SAF T FLOW™ Fume Hood series complements these offerings. Supporting services include ISO 9001-certified contract manufacturing, technical support, laboratory services, and USP <800> compliance consulting. The product portfolio also includes online configuration tools (Containment Process Builder, Fume Hood Builder) and a TaskMatch database for matching enclosures to specific applications. All products undergo Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) with third-party surrogate powder validation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VBSE (Vented Balance Safety Enclosure): The original and flagship product line featuring independent fan exhaust system for balance accuracy and containment.
• SAF T FLOW
• LFBC (Lateral Flow Bio Containment)
• Drysolator
• Containment Process Builder (CPB)
• TaskMatch
• VBE (Vented Balance Enclosure)
• Hybrid Isolator
• Analytical Process Isolator
• Nitrogenema II
• LEV III

Products and services

• Vented Balance Enclosure (VBE) Provides personnel protection and containment for laboratory weighing, sampling, and benchtop processing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), hazardous powders, and other toxic compounds. Features single-HEPA and dual-HEPA configurations, with validated exposure levels below 1 µg/m³. Designed to meet USP <800> hazardous drug compounding requirements.
• Top Mount Enclosure (ETA Series) Top-mount enclosure series for hazardous, non-sterile applications. Features dual 4-inch HEPA filters and integrated fan unit for laboratories handling hazardous compounds.
• Hybrid Isolator Dual-purpose vented enclosure that can operate with or without the glove panel while maintaining proper containment. Features an automatic sensor that causes the dual-speed fan to increase speed when the glove port is absent. Third-party testing proven exposure below 50ng/m³.
• Glovebox Workstation (LFBC) Lateral Flow Bio Containment Isolator for HPAPI/API Processing. A sealed enclosure with side-mounted HEPA inlet filter providing containment for toxic applications requiring higher safety standards than open-face enclosures. Third-party testing proven exposure below 30ng/m³.
• Analytical Process Isolator (API Series) Continuous Process Isolator for Virus Screening and HPAPI Handling. A dual containment enclosure merging the Glovebox Workstation with the VBE, providing uni-directional flow for highly toxic processes. Third-party surrogate powder testing shows exposure levels below 10ng/m³.
• Drysolator Multi-Task Glovebox with PLC-Controlled Interior Environment. Operates under negative pressure for additional personnel protection. PLC-controlled interior reduces oxygen and humidity levels for safe handling of reactive substances. Third-party surrogate powder testing proven exposure below 1 µg/m³.
• Nitrogenema II Inert Gas Isolator for Low Moisture, Low Oxygen environments. Uses continuous nitrogen purge to eliminate moisture and maintain a stable dry interior workspace. Designed for handling pyrophoric and reactive substances.
• Nitrogenema Inert gas containment system providing low-moisture, low-oxygen internal environment for handling sensitive materials that react adversely to oxygen or moisture.
• LEV III Local Exhaust Ventilation Hood. Compact, lightweight enclosure providing safety from chemical vapors generated during lab processes such as flash chromatography, evaporation from rotary evaporators, and similar applications. Offers optional fire suppression system integration.
• SAF T FLOW Fume Hoods Fume hood series containing processes that create fumes, particulate, and dust. Features modular construction for easy modifications, Overlapping Sash Bypass (OSB) for consistent containment performance, and durable heavy-gauge steel construction. Available in standard widths ranging from 3'-10' with custom options.
• Original VBE (VBSE) Compact, energy-efficient balance enclosure with independent fan exhaust system for precise balance accuracy by removing vibrations from the work surface. Can contain and expel fumes through portable filtration system or house exhaust.
• Contract Manufacturing Services ISO 9001-certified precision machining, welding, coating, sheet metal fabrication, and full-system assembly services. Serves aerospace, defense, medical devices, industrial equipment, electronics, life sciences, food and beverage, automotive, and marine industries.
• Technical Support Division Technical support services including troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, remote troubleshooting, on-site visits, and routine maintenance. Offers filter replacement guidance, certification support, and lifetime assurance programs.
• Laboratory Services In-house laboratory testing and validation of containment performance targets. Includes factory acceptance testing using surrogate powder and site acceptance testing at customer facilities.
• USP 800 Compliance Solutions Containment solutions for USP <800> hazardous drug handling compliance including Containment Primary Engineering Controls (C-PEC) and Containment Secondary Engineering Controls (C-SEC). Features HEPA filters, vented enclosures, and safety cabinets.

Quantifiable outcome

• Validated containment exposure levels below 1 μg/m³ for Vented Balance Enclosures and Drysolator
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Trusted CertifierscoreOthersNetwork of certified third-party certifiers that can assess and validate containment enclosure performance and safety. Flow Sciences provides a 'Find a Certifier' tool to help customers locate certification services in their area.
• Distribution PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTrusted distribution partners who are knowledgeable about Flow Sciences products and provide sales, service, and repairs. These partners serve as localized support ('boots on the ground') in customer regions worldwide.
• Federal Supply Schedule / Government ContractorscoreOthersFlow Sciences is available through government purchasing programs including Federal Supply Schedule. The company holds CAGE code 366Q2 and DUNS 62-002-9249 for government contracting.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Germfree Laboratories: Germfree designs and manufactures high-containment gloveboxes, isolators, and biosafety equipment for pharmaceutical compounding and research labs — directly comparable to Flow Sciences' HPAPI and HP containment offerings.
• The Baker Company: The Baker Company produces biological safety cabinets, glove boxes, and clean air equipment used in pharmaceutical, clinical, and research laboratories, competing directly with Flow Sciences' isolators and containment enclosures.
• Labconco: Labconco is a leading US manufacturer of laboratory equipment including fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, glove boxes, and containment enclosures serving pharmaceutical, research, and academic customers — directly competing with Flow Sciences across most product categories.
• Hamilton Laboratory Solutions: Hamilton Laboratory Solutions (a division of Hamilton Company) manufactures fume hoods, containment enclosures, and ventilated workstations for pharmaceutical and research labs — closely comparable to Flow Sciences' VBSE and SAF T FLOW lines.
• AirClean Systems: AirClean Systems manufactures ductless fume hoods, laminar flow workstations, and powder containment enclosures for pharmaceutical and laboratory applications — overlapping with Flow Sciences' VBE, fume hood, and isolator lines.
• NuAire: NuAire manufactures laboratory equipment including biological safety cabinets, CO2 incubators, and laminar flow hoods serving pharmaceutical and research customers — directly comparable in biosafety containment to Flow Sciences' isolators.

Emerging players

• Sentry Air Systems: Sentry Air Systems designs portable and stationary fume extractors, laminar flow hoods, and containment products for industrial and laboratory applications — an emerging player with partial overlap to Flow Sciences' LEV III and fume hood offerings.

Broad incumbents

• ESCO Lifesciences: ESCO is a large global manufacturer of laboratory and pharmaceutical equipment including biological safety cabinets, fume hoods, and isolators — broader portfolio than Flow Sciences but with overlapping containment product categories.
• Kewaunee Scientific: Kewaunee Scientific provides laboratory furniture, fume hoods, and casework for research and pharmaceutical facilities — a broader-laboratory incumbent whose fume hood line competes with Flow Sciences' SAF T FLOW series.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher offers an extensive portfolio of laboratory equipment, cleanroom solutions, and pharmaceutical manufacturing products — a broad incumbent with overlapping containment capabilities across life sciences customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@flowsciences
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flow-sciences-inc
• Xx.com/flowsciences
• Facebookfacebook.com/flowsciences

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Flow Sciences