Lab Services
Lab Services B.V. is a Netherlands-based laboratory automation company that designs custom robotic systems and proprietary PlateButler software for high-throughput microplate workflows in pharmaceutical, crop science, CRO, and specialty laboratories.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersBreda, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Lab Services does
Lab Services B.V. is a Netherlands-based laboratory automation company founded in 1992 and headquartered in Breda. The company designs and integrates custom robotic systems for high-throughput microplate-based laboratories, unified by its proprietary PlateButler software platform developed and continuously improved in-house since inception. It serves pharmaceutical companies, crop science organizations, contract research organizations (CROs), and laboratories working with non-standard plate formats, with international market reach extended through curated distributors in France, USA, and Japan.
The core technology stack centers on PlateButler, which orchestrates SCARA and XYZ robots and integrates microplate modules from multiple instrument brands. The newest generation, PlateButler IV, features a REST API-first architecture designed as the execution layer in AI-orchestrated laboratory ecosystems, enabling external AI systems to trigger experiments, retrieve results, and iterate without human intervention. The product portfolio spans fully integrated robotic systems, modular add-ons (PlateCruiser, TipHotel, PlateCarousel, PlateHotels, LidHolder, LidLifter, PlateDispenser, PreciseFlex, Pier & BarQ), the Heron single-device automation solution, the Ellis mobile laboratory robot, the ArchiTECHt LIMS solution, and the AtmosStore plate storage system. The company also distributes complementary third-party products including CyBio liquid handling platforms, BeadBeaters, pipettes, and consumables.
Revenue is generated through a hybrid model: one-time system and hardware sales, recurring PlateButler software licenses, multi-year service contracts (Full-Service and Preventive Maintenance tiers), and consumables distribution. Pricing is quote-based and tailored to each customer's configuration, with a brand-independent integration approach that allows Lab Services to combine instruments from any manufacturer. The company employs between 11 and 50 people, operates as a privately held Dutch B.V., and has been led since March 2017 by co-leaders Arjan Hofman (CEO) and Ferry de Vugt (CTO), who acquired the business from founder Marcel Mossou.
Lab Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lab Services
- Legal name
- Lab Services B.V.
- Website
- https://lab-services.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Lab Services B.V. is a Netherlands-based laboratory automation company that designs custom robotic systems and proprietary PlateButler software for high-throughput microplate workflows in pharmaceutical, crop science, CRO, and specialty laboratories.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lab Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Laboratory Automation Systems
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Liquid Handling & Laboratory Automation (Pipettes, Robots, Workstations) (HLAGAIAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Lab Automation, Instrument Control & Workflow Orchestration Software (HLAGAJAG), Lab Middleware, Instrument Connectivity & Automation (HLACAMAI)
Keywords
Where Lab Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Breda
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Lab Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Laboratory Automation Systems: Lab Services designs, develops, and sells custom robotic systems integrated with their proprietary PlateButler software. These are turnkey solutions including hardware platforms, software, and service components for complete laboratory automation.
- PlateButler Software Licenses: Proprietary laboratory automation software that powers the robotic systems. Software is developed and maintained in-house with continuous improvements based on customer feedback.
- Service Contracts: Full-service and preventive service contracts offering ongoing support, maintenance, parts replacement, and 24-hour or 48-hour response periods to ensure system productivity and extended equipment lifespan.
- Stand-alone Equipment and Consumables: Distribution of laboratory equipment including liquid handling platforms (CyBio), storage tubes, microtiter plates, pipettes, BeadBeaters, seals, and other consumables.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | Multi-year contract | Custom automation solutions - Quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Lab Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lab Services designs, develops, and sells customized laboratory automation systems centered on its proprietary PlateButler software platform, which integrates microplate modules and robots (SCARA and XYZ) for high-throughput laboratory workflows. Offerings span turnkey integrated robotic platforms, smaller-scale single-device solutions such as the Heron, the Ellis mobile laboratory robot, the ArchiTECHt LIMS, and distribution of complementary third-party equipment and consumables for pharmaceutical, crop science, and contract research organization customers.
Product overview
Lab Services provides laboratory automation solutions centered on the PlateButler platform - a proprietary software and robotic system for integrating microplate modules and robots in high-throughput laboratories. The product portfolio includes core platform software (PlateButler Software V3.7 and the new PlateButler IV), numerous add-on modules (PlateCruiser, TipHotel, PlateCarousel, PlateHotels, LidHolder, LidLifter, PlateDispenser, PlateDefiner, SignalBox, PreciseFlex, Pier & BarQ, and full Robotic Systems), and the Heron for single-machine automation. Additional products include Ellis (mobile laboratory robot), ArchiTECHt (LIMS solution), and AtmosStore (plate storage). Lab Services also distributes third-party laboratory equipment including CyBio liquid handling platforms (FeliX, SELMA, Well vario), BeadBeaters, pipettes, storage tubes, and KingFisher deep-well plates. The company serves pharma, crop science, CRO, and non-SBS markets with brand-independent integration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PlateButler: Proprietary laboratory automation software platform developed by Lab Services for integrating microplate modules and robots.
- Ellis
- ArchiTECHt
- AtmosStore
- Heron
Products and services
- PlateButler Core Platform (Software V3.7) Proprietary laboratory automation software and integrated platform that powers Lab Services' robotic systems, providing workflow automation, dynamic and static scheduling, drag-and-drop programming, dashboard monitoring, and multi-robot operation from a single PC for high-throughput laboratory environments.
- PlateButler IV Next-generation, API-first laboratory automation platform designed for AI-orchestrated laboratory ecosystems, with REST API architecture that allows external software, orchestration platforms, and AI models to trigger experiments, retrieve results, and adjust parameters dynamically without human intervention.
- The Heron Flexible, user-friendly, and universal automation solution for single or dual device automation, supporting barcode printing and labelling, sealing, washing, dispensing, and plate reading with stacker adjustment for different rack heights.
- Ellis Mobile Laboratory Robot Mobile laboratory robot designed to serve as a research assistant in laboratories, redefining the way research is conducted through automated sample handling and transport.
- ArchiTECHt LIMS Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) solution marketed as 'the ultimate skinny lims solution' for lab data management.
- AtmosStore Plate Storage Advanced plate storage system designed to transform plate storage capabilities for laboratory automation environments.
- PlateButler Robotic Systems Fully automated robotic systems powered by PlateButler software that integrate various types of automatable instruments with SCARA robots as the primary choice, enabling high-throughput laboratory automation.
- CyBio FeliX Liquid Handling Platform Compact and flexible liquid handling platform for precise processing of whole microplates in different volume ranges, with 12 deck positions on a 650 x 450 mm footprint, interchangeable pipetting heads, and automatic tip change, including patent-pending CHOICE wide-volume-range technology.
- CyBio SELMA Semi-Automatic Pipettor Precise and semi-automatic pipettor with 96 or 384 pipetting channels for easy and fast filling of microplates without a computer.
- CyBio Well vario Pipetting Platform Simultaneous and automated pipetting platform that accepts a series of different pipetting heads for flexible high-throughput workflows.
- Wobble-not Pipettes Best-in-class pipettes offering maximum stability (no wobble) and less dripping through an innovative ergonomic design.
- ali-Q 2 Pipet Controllers Pipette controllers with repeat pipetting function for faster and easier aliquoting, with a lightweight design to prevent fatigue.
- Ovation BioNatural Pipette Ergonomic pipette designed to keep the hand in a neutral position, reducing stress, pain, and fatigue during pipetting.
- SAFE 2D Barcoded Tubes 2D barcoded tubes for sample storage and track & trace, IATA certified for storage up to -196°C, available in SBS format racks for automation.
- BeadBeater Homogenizer Laboratory-scale homogenizer for disrupting suspensions with over 95% efficiency, including 350 ml polycarbonate chamber and ice-water cooling jacket.
- Mini-BeadBeater-16 BeadBeater for disrupting 4-16 samples in screw-cap micro vials, suitable for PCR applications with disposable beads to prevent cross-contamination.
- Mini-BeadBeater-24 BeadBeater for disrupting 4-24 samples with over 95% efficiency, featuring shaking speeds of 2000-3450 strokes per minute.
- KingFisher Deep-Well Plates Polypropylene deep-well plates ideal for magnetic separation processes with low binding affinity for biomolecules, temperature resistant from -80 to 120°C.
- Cytomat Automated Incubators Automated incubators including Cytomat 2, Cytomat 10 Hotel, and Cytomat Automated Wide-Range Incubator for plate incubation in laboratory workflows.
- Full-Service and Preventive Maintenance Contracts Ongoing service contracts offering support, maintenance, parts replacement, and 24-hour or 48-hour response periods to ensure system productivity and extended equipment lifespan.
Quantifiable outcome
- Fully automated systems installed since 1996
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Lab Services
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Lab Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability5 records
Feature8 records
Lab Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered notable and minor.
- HamamatsunotableCollaboration with Hamamatsu resulting in an automated platform that increases the high-throughput workflow of the Hamamatsu FDSSµCell. Lab Services has integrated their PlateButler software with Hamamatsu's FDSSµCell system for enhanced automated functional screening capabilities.
- HZPCnotableHZPC, a global market leader in seed potato breeding, collaborated with Lab Services on their laboratory automation journey. This collaboration resulted in a tutorial video showcasing the value of automation through the eyes of a customer.
- Lab21 Services LimitedminorLab21 Services Limited organized the 2026 World Laboratory Day event in Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria, in collaboration with the Association of Analytical and Calibration Laboratory Directors.
- Association of Analytical and Calibration Laboratory DirectorsminorAssociation collaborating with Lab21 Services Limited on the 2026 World Laboratory Day event addressing laboratory worker remuneration and regulatory concerns.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Lab Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- PerkinElmer (Revvity): Diversified life sciences and diagnostics vendor whose automation, detection, and informatics portfolio overlaps with Lab Services in pharma screening and drug discovery workflows.
- Agilent Technologies: Global life sciences and analytical instruments vendor with automation software and lab informatics products that intersect with Lab Services' PlateButler and ArchiTECHt offerings, particularly in pharma and CRO workflows.
- Beckman Coulter Life Sciences (Danaher): Large incumbent offering a broad automation, liquid handling, and lab workflow portfolio including the Biomek and Echo platforms. Comparable customer base and applications, but operates at much greater scale across many product lines.
Emerging players
- Biosero: Provider of laboratory automation software (Green Button Go) that orchestrates instruments from multiple OEMs, directly comparable to Lab Services' PlateButler software in orchestrating heterogeneous lab estates.
- Hudson Robotics: US-based specialist in microplate-based laboratory automation with software and robotic platforms comparable in scale and application focus to Lab Services' PlateButler system.
- Andrew Alliance (Waters Corporation): Now part of Waters, Andrew pioneered cloud-connected, AI-friendly pipetting and lab automation robots targeting similar pharma/biotech use cases as Lab Services' PlateButler IV.
- Opentrons Labworks: Developer of accessible liquid handling robots and cloud/AI-driven automation software. Competes at the smaller-scale and software-defined end of the market that Lab Services' Heron and PlateButler IV products also address.
Direct peers
- Hamilton Company: US-based manufacturer of automated liquid handling workstations and robotic platforms (Microlab STAR, NIMBUS, etc.) widely used in pharma and biotech. Directly comparable to Lab Services' PlateButler robotic systems in target use cases.
- Tecan: Swiss global leader in laboratory automation for life sciences, with a directly overlapping portfolio of liquid handling workstations, readers, and integrated automation software. Competes head-to-head with Lab Services in pharma and CRO high-throughput workflows.
- Analytik Jena (CyBio): Manufacturer of the CyBio liquid handling platforms (FeliX, SELMA, Well vario) that Lab Services distributes in the Benelux. It is both a partner and a direct competitor on liquid handling instrumentation.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lab Services social profiles
Digital presenceLab Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lab Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Lab Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lab Services M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lab Services
What does Lab Services do?
Lab Services designs, develops, and sells customized laboratory automation systems centered on its proprietary PlateButler software platform, which integrates microplate modules and robots (SCARA and XYZ) for high-throughput laboratory workflows. Offerings span turnkey integrated robotic platforms, smaller-scale single-device solutions such as the Heron, the Ellis mobile laboratory robot, the ArchiTECHt LIMS, and distribution of complementary third-party equipment and consumables for pharmaceutical, crop science, and contract research organization customers.
Is Lab Services a public or private company?
Lab Services is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Lab Services founded?
Lab Services was founded in 1992. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Lab Services based?
Lab Services is headquartered in Breda, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Lab Services make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Laboratory Automation Systems are the primary driver. The others are plateButler Software Licenses, service Contracts and stand-alone Equipment and Consumables.
Who are Lab Services's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are PerkinElmer (Revvity), Agilent Technologies and Beckman Coulter Life Sciences (Danaher). Emerging players are Biosero, Hudson Robotics, Andrew Alliance (Waters Corporation) and Opentrons Labworks. Direct peers are Hamilton Company, Tecan and Analytik Jena (CyBio).
Does Lab Services have an API?
Yes. PlateButler IV features a REST API architecture that exposes capabilities as service endpoints, allowing external software including orchestration platforms, data pipelines, and AI models to directly interact with the system. This enables AI-driven software to determine experiments, orchestration platforms to translate decisions into actions, and PlateButler IV to receive instructions via API and execute them in the lab. External systems can trigger experiments directly, retrieve results programmatically, adjust parameters dynamically, and iterate without human intervention. Python-based interfaces are supported for AI system interaction.
What industry is Lab Services in?
Lab Services's product category is Laboratory Automation Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAD, Liquid Handling & Laboratory Automation (Pipettes, Robots, Workstations), with a secondary code of HLAGAJAG, Lab Automation, Instrument Control & Workflow Orchestration Software. Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 3826.