Apex Scientific
Apex Scientific is an Ireland-based specialist distributor of chromatography, sample preparation, liquid handling consumables and instruments, serving UK and Ireland analytical laboratories with a 100,000+ SKU catalogue, training via CHROMacademy, and the annual Maynooth Chromatography Conference.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersMaynooth, Ireland
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Apex Scientific does
Apex Scientific is an Ireland-based private laboratory consumables and instruments distributor focused on chromatography, sample preparation, and liquid handling for analytical laboratories in the UK and Ireland. The company operates a multi-vendor catalogue of over 100,000 products spanning HPLC and GC columns, sample preparation consumables, spectroscopy supplies, dissolution accessories, vials, standards, and laboratory instruments (centrifuges, detectors, evaporators, flash systems, LC systems, liquid handlers, gas generators), sourced from 15+ manufacturers including Agilent, Gilson, Thermo Scientific, SCAT, Tosoh, YMC, MACHEREY-NAGEL, Daicel, and Advion-Interchim. It also runs CHROMacademy, an online chromatography training platform, and delivers hands-on training at the National Brownfield Institute in Wolverhampton, alongside the annual Maynooth Chromatography Conference as a flagship customer-engagement event.
The business model is a sales-led B2B distribution operation combining an e-commerce storefront (with separate Ireland and UK regional sites), account-based direct sales through dedicated account managers, and training/consultancy services. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; recurring promotional offers (e.g., trade-in discounts on Gilson pipettes, multi-buy incentives on Agilent columns, bundled consumables on Porvair plate sealers) drive consumables volume. The company holds Cyber Essentials Plus certification, serves primarily laboratory research, pharmaceutical/biotech, and industrial/environmental testing customers on a horizontal basis, and was previously branded as Element Lab Solutions before adopting the Crawford Scientific identity in 2025.
Apex Scientific firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Apex Scientific
- Legal name
- Crawford Scientific
- Website
- https://apexscientific.ie
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Apex Scientific is an Ireland-based specialist distributor of chromatography, sample preparation, liquid handling consumables and instruments, serving UK and Ireland analytical laboratories with a 100,000+ SKU catalogue, training via CHROMacademy, and the annual Maynooth Chromatography Conference.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Apex Scientific industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Laboratory Supplies Distribution
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Analytical Instruments & Chromatography Systems (HLAGAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Mass Spectrometry & Spectroscopy Instruments (HLAGAIAB), Material Characterization & Spectroscopy (NMR/FTIR/MS) (HLAGADAK), Scientific & Laboratory Reference (Chemistry, Biology, Physics; Methods & Protocols) (EDAGAGAG), Healthcare & Clinical Professional Development (CME/CE) (EDAGANAJ)
Keywords
Where Apex Scientific is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Maynooth
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Apex Scientific business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Consumables Sales: Sale of HPLC columns, GC columns, sample preparation products, vials, caps, and other chromatography consumables from multiple manufacturers. Products include reversed phase columns, chiral columns, SPE products, filters, syringes, and specialized supplies.
- Laboratory Instruments Sales: Sale and distribution of chromatography instruments including automated sample preparation systems, centrifuges, detectors, evaporators, flash systems, LC/GC systems, gas generators, and plate handling equipment.
- Training and Consultancy Services: Hands-on training courses delivered at the National Brownfield Institute in Wolverhampton, plus online training through CHROMacademy. Training covers HPLC, GC, LC-MS, GC-MS, method development, and troubleshooting.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Account-based pricing with quote requests |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
Apex Scientific product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Apex Scientific is a specialty distributor supplying chromatography, sample preparation, and liquid handling consumables and instruments to analytical laboratories in Ireland and the United Kingdom, offering over 100,000 products from major manufacturers. The portfolio includes HPLC and GC columns and supplies, spectroscopy consumables, dissolution accessories, sample preparation products, and laboratory instruments such as centrifuges, detectors, evaporators, and flash systems. The company complements distribution with chromatography training delivered through the CHROMacademy online learning platform, hands-on courses at the National Brownfield Institute in Wolverhampton, and the annual Maynooth Chromatography Conference.
Product overview
Crawford Scientific is a laboratory consumables distributor and service provider offering over 100,000 chromatography and mass spectrometry products from major manufacturers, alongside a portfolio of analytical instruments and professional training services. The core offering centers on HPLC and GC columns and supplies (consumables), complemented by sample preparation equipment, spectroscopy supplies, dissolution testing accessories, and lab purification products. Instrument offerings include automated sample preparation systems, chromatographs, detectors, evaporators, flash systems, fraction collectors, and various liquid handling equipment. Training services are delivered through CHROMacademy (online learning platform) and hands-on courses at the National Brownfield Institute, plus the annual Maynooth Chromatography Conference. The company operates primarily as a distributor (not a manufacturer) of branded products from manufacturers including Agilent, Gilson, Thermo Scientific, SCAT, Tosoh, YMC, emp BIOTECH, AMT, Porvair, MACHEREY-NAGEL, Daicel, Gerstel, and SIELC.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CHROMacademy: Online learning platform for chromatography and mass spectrometry training and education.
Products and services
- HPLC Columns High-Performance Liquid Chromatography columns including Reversed Phase, Biochromatography, Chiral, GPC & SEC, SemiPrep & Preparative, and Method Development Kits, distributed to analytical laboratories.
- HPLC Supplies Replacement parts and consumables for HPLC instruments including Lamps & Detectors Parts, Pump Parts, Autosampler Parts, Capillaries & Fittings, LC-MS Supplies, and Bio-inert Supplies.
- GC Columns Gas Chromatography columns including Ultra Low Bleed, Low Bleed, Ultra Inert, WAX, High Temperature, and Metal variants for analytical laboratories.
- GC Supplies Consumables and parts for GC instruments including Gas Management, GC-MS supplies, Liners & Sealing Systems, Inlet Supplies, Ferrules & Connectors, and GC Syringes.
- Sample Preparation Products Lab sample preparation products including Filtration, SPE (Solid Phase Extraction), Well Plates, QuEChERS, Manifolds & Accessories, and Liquid Handling equipment.
- Vials and Caps Sample storage and injection vials including Screw Top, Crimp Top, Snap, Headspace, and Microvials with corresponding closure systems.
- Lab and Industrial Purification Chromatography purification products including Biomolecule Synthesis & Purification, Bulk Silica, Glass Columns, and Flash Cartridges for laboratory and industrial scale separation.
- Spectroscopy Supplies Spectroscopy instrument supplies including ICP-MS, ICP-OES, and UV-Vis & UV-Vis-NIR consumables and accessories.
- Dissolution Accessories Dissolution testing accessories including Cannula Filters, Capsule Sinkers, Vessels, Paddles, and Baskets for pharmaceutical dissolution testing.
- Laboratory Instruments Distributed analytical instruments including automated sample preparation systems, centrifuges, detectors, evaporators, flash chromatography systems, fraction collectors, LC systems, GC sample introduction systems, liquid handling systems, incubators and dry baths, lab gas generators, magnetic bead extraction systems, mixers and shakers, plate handling equipment, plate sealers and cappers, SPE manifolds and systems, and TLC plate readers.
- CHROMacademy Online Learning Platform Online learning platform offering chromatography and mass spectrometry training courses, educational content, and professional development resources including both self-paced and instructor-led training options covering HPLC, GC, and mass spectrometry.
- Hands-On Training Courses Practical in-person chromatography training delivered at the National Brownfield Institute, Wolverhampton, covering HPLC, GC, and MS troubleshooting and method development.
- Maynooth Chromatography Conference Annual chromatography conference held in Maynooth, Ireland featuring expert talks, hands-on demonstrations, and training sessions from industry manufacturers including Agilent, Gilson, Restek, and others.
Companies that use Apex Scientific
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Apex Scientific technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Apex Scientific partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Agilent TechnologiescoreAgilent Technologies is a major manufacturer partner whose products Crawford Scientific distributes including HPLC columns, GC columns, gas clean filters, autosampler parts, and other chromatography supplies. Featured prominently at the annual Maynooth Chromatography Conference.
- GilsoncoreGilson is a manufacturer partner supplying pipettes and liquid handling equipment. Crawford Scientific offers PIPETMAN products with trade-in discounts up to 40% off.
- Thermo Fisher ScientificcoreThermo Scientific is a major manufacturer partner providing ICP-MS, ICP-OES, UV-Vis spectroscopy supplies, and Thermo Scientific Choice Syringe Filters. Special promotions offered up to 20% off.
- SCAT EuropecoreSCAT Europe supplies safety solutions for laboratories including gas safety equipment, safety cabinets, and waste containers for hazardous materials handling.
- Tosoh BiosciencecoreTosoh supplies TSKgel columns for polymer analysis including SEC/GPC solutions. Featured at the annual Maynooth Chromatography Conference.
- YMCcoreYMC manufactures chromatography columns including chiral columns and specialty phases for analytical and preparative applications.
- EMP BiotechminorEMP Biotech supplies CentriPure MINI columns for rapid desalting and buffer exchange of proteins, oligonucleotides, and nanoparticles. Featured with 25% off promotions.
- Porvair SciencesminorPorvair Sciences supplies UltraSeal Lite and UltraVap Mini plate sealers with consumables promotions offering 1000 EUR worth of free consumables with purchase.
- Macheray-NagelcoreMacheray-Nagel manufactures chromatography columns and sample preparation products including SPE materials and TLC plates.
- Daicel (Chiral Technologies)coreDaicel/Chiral Technologies specializes in chiral chromatography columns and separation solutions for enantiomer separation.
- GERSTELminorGERSTEL provides sample introduction and preparation solutions including cooled injection systems and automated sample preparation equipment.
- SIELC TechnologiesminorSIELC Technologies develops and manufactures proprietary chromatography columns for specialty separation applications.
- Advion-Interchim ScientificcoreAdvion-Interchim Scientific supplies flash chromatography systems for purification workflows and is featured in company blog posts about purification solutions.
- Syft TechnologiesminorSyft Technologies manufactures mass spectrometry instruments including select series. Listed as a manufacturer partner on the Crawford Scientific website.
- LECOminorLECO manufactures analytical instruments including chromatography and mass spectrometry solutions. Listed as a manufacturer partner on the website.
- Teledyne TekmarminorTeledyne Tekmar provides sample introduction and headspace analysis solutions for GC and GC-MS applications.
- Zip ScientificminorZip Scientific supplies specialized laboratory equipment and consumables. Listed as a manufacturer partner on the website.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Apex Scientific competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Scientific Laboratory Supplies (SLS): UK-based laboratory consumables and equipment distributor serving pharma, food, environmental, and academic labs. Most direct comparable in geography and customer base to Crawford Scientific, with overlapping chromatography and life-science product categories.
- Antylia Scientific (formerly Cole-Parmer): Distributor of laboratory equipment, consumables, and supplies with strong European presence in chromatography and sample preparation. Comparable mid-tier distributor model serving analytical and life science labs.
Broad incumbents
- Fisher Scientific (Thermo Fisher): Global laboratory supplies distributor owned by Thermo Fisher, offering extensive chromatography consumables and instruments. Operates at vastly larger scale than Crawford across multiple geographies, but competes directly for the same UK/Ireland analytical lab customers.
- VWR / Avantor: One of the world's largest lab supplies distributors offering chromatography, mass spectrometry, and life science products. Provides overlapping consumables and instruments portfolio to similar European analytical lab customers as Crawford Scientific.
- Merck / Sigma-Aldrich (Life Science): Global manufacturer and distributor of laboratory chemicals, chromatography columns (Supelco), and analytical standards. Direct competitive overlap with Crawford's HPLC/GC columns, sample preparation, and reference standards product lines.
- Agilent Technologies: Leading manufacturer of HPLC/GC instruments, columns, and mass spectrometry systems. Crawford is a channel partner for Agilent, but Agilent's direct sales force competes for the same UK/Ireland lab customers.
- Waters Corporation: Global manufacturer of LC, LC-MS, and chromatography consumables (including ACQUITY columns and chemistries). Major competitor in UK/Ireland pharmaceutical and analytical lab markets where Crawford also operates.
- Shimadzu Scientific Instruments: Global manufacturer of HPLC, GC, GC-MS, LC-MS, and spectroscopy instruments. Competes in the same UK/Ireland analytical instrument market Crawford serves, including direct sales and distributor channels.
Others
- Phenomenex (Danaher): Manufacturer of HPLC and GC columns and sample preparation products, now part of Danaher. Crawford distributes comparable competing column brands, making Phenomenex both a partner-category comparable and a competing principal.
- Restek Corporation: Manufacturer of GC columns, HPLC columns, and sample preparation consumables listed as a Crawford manufacturer partner featured at the Maynooth Conference. Operates a competing direct sales channel alongside Crawford's distribution.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Apex Scientific social profiles
Digital presenceApex Scientific compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Apex Scientific financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Apex Scientific leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Apex Scientific funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Apex Scientific 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 Apex Scientific
What does Apex Scientific do?
Apex Scientific is a specialty distributor supplying chromatography, sample preparation, and liquid handling consumables and instruments to analytical laboratories in Ireland and the United Kingdom, offering over 100,000 products from major manufacturers. The portfolio includes HPLC and GC columns and supplies, spectroscopy consumables, dissolution accessories, sample preparation products, and laboratory instruments such as centrifuges, detectors, evaporators, and flash systems. The company complements distribution with chromatography training delivered through the CHROMacademy online learning platform, hands-on courses at the National Brownfield Institute in Wolverhampton, and the annual Maynooth Chromatography Conference.
Is Apex Scientific a public or private company?
Apex Scientific is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Apex Scientific founded?
Apex Scientific was founded in 1998. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Apex Scientific based?
Apex Scientific is headquartered in Maynooth, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does Apex Scientific make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Consumables Sales are the primary driver. The others are laboratory Instruments Sales and training and Consultancy Services.
Who are Apex Scientific's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Scientific Laboratory Supplies (SLS) and Antylia Scientific (formerly Cole-Parmer). Broad incumbents are Fisher Scientific (Thermo Fisher), VWR / Avantor, Merck / Sigma-Aldrich (Life Science), Agilent Technologies, Waters Corporation and Shimadzu Scientific Instruments. Others are Phenomenex (Danaher) and Restek Corporation.
Does Apex Scientific have an API?
No public API is recorded for Apex Scientific.
What industry is Apex Scientific in?
Apex Scientific's product category is Laboratory Supplies Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAA, Analytical Instruments & Chromatography Systems, with a secondary code of HLAGAIAB, Mass Spectrometry & Spectroscopy Instruments. Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 3826.