Scientific Laboratory Supplies

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.

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

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

• Laboratory equipment supply
• Lab consumables distribution
• Scientific chemicals supply
• Laboratory instruments sales
• Life science supplies

Headquarters

HQ city

Wilford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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

Core 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

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• C&M Scientific LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023C&M Scientific Ltd was acquired by Scientific Laboratory Supplies in January 2023, expanding SLS's capabilities and presence in the laboratory supplies market.
• Gem ScientificcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGem 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

Broad 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@scientificlabsupplies
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/scientific-laboratory-supplies-ltd.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A2 records

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Scientific Laboratory Supplies