Scientific Laboratory Supplies
Scientific Laboratory Supplies (SLS) is the UK's largest independent distributor of laboratory equipment, chemicals, and consumables, serving scientific, educational, healthcare, and research institutions via direct phone sales and e-commerce across the UK, Ireland, and select international markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersWilford, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Scientific Laboratory Supplies does
Scientific Laboratory Supplies Ltd (SLS) is the UK's largest independent distributor of laboratory equipment, chemicals, and consumables, founded in 1991 and registered as a private limited company in England and Wales (No. 2577009). The company operates from a headquarters in Nottingham, with regional sales offices in Scotland (Coatbridge), Northern Ireland (Lisburn), Republic of Ireland (Dublin), and additional international satellite offices in East Africa, West Africa, and India. It serves scientific laboratories, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and research institutions through a sales-led model combining direct phone sales with e-commerce ordering via scientificlabs.co.uk.
The product portfolio spans balances, spectrophotometers, autoclaves, centrifuges, shakers, pipettes, chromatography systems, general lab supplies, and consumables, sourced from leading third-party manufacturers (Thermo Scientific, OHAUS, Eppendorf, Gilson, Greiner) alongside in-house private-label lines (SLS Lab Pro autoclaves, SLS Select media bottles, SLS Select Education). SLS has executed a programmatic acquisition strategy, absorbing Wolflabs (2019), Gem Scientific (2022), and C&M Scientific Ltd (2023) while retaining the acquired brands as independent operating subsidiaries within the group.
SLS is not venture- or private-equity-backed, operates as a multi-brand distributor rather than a manufacturer, and emphasizes its independent status as a procurement advantage (no exclusive supplier commitments). Pricing is quote-based rather than publicly disclosed, with the company running promotional discount campaigns and trial programs via its online channel. Revenue, ownership structure beyond private limited status, and management team composition are not disclosed in available source material.
Scientific Laboratory Supplies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Scientific Laboratory Supplies
- Legal name
- Scientific Laboratory Supplies Ltd
- Website
- https://scientificlabs.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Scientific Laboratory Supplies (SLS) is the UK's largest independent distributor of laboratory equipment, chemicals, and consumables, serving scientific, educational, healthcare, and research institutions via direct phone sales and e-commerce across the UK, Ireland, and select international markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Scientific Laboratory Supplies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Laboratory Supplies Distribution
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047), Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821)
- akta.pro primary industry
- General Lab Equipment (Centrifuges, Incubators, Shakers, Ovens) (HLAGAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Laboratory Consumables & Plasticware (Tips, Tubes, Plates, Filters) (HLAGAIAH)
Keywords
Where Scientific Laboratory Supplies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wilford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices7 records
Markets served
Scientific Laboratory Supplies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware and Consumables Sales: Sale of laboratory equipment, chemicals, and consumables to scientific laboratories, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and research institutions. Revenue generated through direct sales and e-commerce transactions.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels1 record
Scientific Laboratory Supplies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Scientific Laboratory Supplies (SLS) is the UK's largest independent supplier of laboratory equipment, chemicals, and consumables. The company operates as a multi-brand distributor, offering its own private label lines (SLS Lab Pro, SLS Select) alongside third-party branded products from manufacturers such as Thermo Scientific, OHAUS, Eppendorf, Gilson, and Greiner, serving scientific laboratories, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and research institutions across the UK and internationally.
Product overview
Scientific Laboratory Supplies (SLS) is the UK's largest independent supplier of laboratory equipment, chemicals, and consumables. The company operates as a multi-brand distributor offering an extensive portfolio that includes its own private label products (SLS Lab Pro autoclaves, SLS Select media bottles) alongside third-party branded equipment from manufacturers such as Thermo Scientific, OHAUS, Eppendorf, Gilson, and Greiner. The product portfolio spans balances, spectrophotometers, autoclaves, centrifuges, shakers, pipettes, chromatography systems, and general laboratory supplies organized by category, brand, and key supplier. The company has expanded through acquisitions including Gem Scientific (2022) and C&M Scientific (2023). Products are available through e-commerce, with promotional pricing on select items and a Try Me, Buy Me trial program for balances.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SLS Select: Private label product line including media bottles and other laboratory consumables
- SLS Select Education
Products and services
- Laboratory Equipment and Consumables
Companies that use Scientific Laboratory Supplies
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Scientific Laboratory Supplies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Scientific Laboratory Supplies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- C&M Scientific LtdcoreC&M Scientific Ltd was acquired by Scientific Laboratory Supplies in January 2023, expanding SLS's capabilities and presence in the laboratory supplies market.
- Gem ScientificcoreGem Scientific was acquired by Scientific Laboratory Supplies, strengthening SLS's position as a leading independent laboratory equipment supplier.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Scientific Laboratory Supplies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Fisher Scientific (Thermo Fisher Scientific): Global laboratory supplies distributor and subsidiary of Thermo Fisher Scientific. Overlaps with SLS across nearly every product category SLS carries (centrifuges, pipettes, consumables, chemicals) and competes head-on in UK university and pharma procurement; difference is scale, exclusivity, and breadth.
- DWK Life Sciences: Global manufacturer of premium laboratory glassware, consumables, and equipment under brands including Duran, Wheaton, and Kimble. Comparable to SLS in lab consumables distribution, but as a manufacturer with own-brand strength rather than an independent multi-brand distributor.
- Bio-Rad Laboratories: Global life science research and clinical diagnostics manufacturer and supplier. Comparable to SLS in serving life science research and clinical labs, but operates upstream as a manufacturer with its own direct sales rather than a multi-brand distribution model.
- Eppendorf: German manufacturer of premium lab equipment (centrifuges, pipettes, bioreactors) and consumables. Direct upstream partner of SLS (Eppendorf MiniSpin centrifuges appear on SLS catalogue) and comparable in lab-equipment product taxonomy, but is a manufacturer rather than a distributor.
- Avantor (VWR): One of the largest global lab supplies and distribution businesses (VWR brand), serving biopharma, healthcare, and academia. Directly comparable to SLS in catalogue breadth and customer verticals but operates at vastly greater scale with exclusive supplier agreements SLS cannot match.
Direct peers
- Starlab International: European-headquartered manufacturer and distributor of laboratory consumables (pipette tips, tubes, plasticware) with own private-label strength. Comparable to SLS in serving European lab customers via catalog distribution with own-brand products.
- Alpha Laboratories: UK independent specialist distributor focused on clinical diagnostics, liquid handling, and laboratory consumables. Comparable to SLS in UK independent positioning, customer verticals (NHS, academic, industrial), and product breadth on consumables.
- Anachem (part of Scientific Laboratory Supplies — note: distinct Anachem in UK): UK-based independent distributor of laboratory consumables, liquid handling, and life science products serving academic, clinical, and industrial customers. Closely comparable to SLS in scale, customer mix, and product mix in the UK market.
- Cole-Parmer: Global distributor of laboratory equipment, consumables, and specialty products serving scientific and industrial customers. Closely comparable to SLS on equipment-and-consumables distribution model, e-commerce-led sales, and multi-vertical customer base.
Emerging players
- Scientific Industries: Specialist provider of laboratory equipment including vortex mixers, shakers, and cell culture platforms. Comparable to SLS in targeting benchtop lab equipment buyers and in offering own-brand products alongside catalogue lines.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Scientific Laboratory Supplies social profiles
Digital presenceScientific Laboratory Supplies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Scientific Laboratory Supplies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Scientific Laboratory Supplies subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
Scientific Laboratory Supplies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Scientific Laboratory Supplies M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Scientific Laboratory Supplies
What does Scientific Laboratory Supplies do?
Scientific Laboratory Supplies (SLS) is the UK's largest independent supplier of laboratory equipment, chemicals, and consumables. The company operates as a multi-brand distributor, offering its own private label lines (SLS Lab Pro, SLS Select) alongside third-party branded products from manufacturers such as Thermo Scientific, OHAUS, Eppendorf, Gilson, and Greiner, serving scientific laboratories, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and research institutions across the UK and internationally.
Is Scientific Laboratory Supplies a public or private company?
Scientific Laboratory Supplies is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Scientific Laboratory Supplies founded?
Scientific Laboratory Supplies was founded in 1991. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Scientific Laboratory Supplies based?
Scientific Laboratory Supplies is headquartered in Wilford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Scientific Laboratory Supplies make money?
One revenue line is on record: hardware and Consumables Sales.
Who are Scientific Laboratory Supplies's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Fisher Scientific (Thermo Fisher Scientific), DWK Life Sciences, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Eppendorf and Avantor (VWR). Direct peers are Starlab International, Alpha Laboratories, Anachem (part of Scientific Laboratory Supplies — note: distinct Anachem in UK) and Cole-Parmer. Scientific Industries is listed as an emerging player.
Does Scientific Laboratory Supplies have an API?
No public API is recorded for Scientific Laboratory Supplies.
What industry is Scientific Laboratory Supplies in?
Scientific Laboratory Supplies's product category is Laboratory Supplies Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAC, General Lab Equipment (Centrifuges, Incubators, Shakers, Ovens), with a secondary code of HLAGAIAH, Laboratory Consumables & Plasticware (Tips, Tubes, Plates, Filters). Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 5047.