What Medical Equipment Source does

Medical Equipment Source is a Pittsburgh-based private distributor founded in 2002 that sells new and remanufactured medical and laboratory equipment, primarily serving histology and pathology laboratories in the United States with global shipping availability. The company aggregates more than 15 manufacturers into a single catalog covering the complete histology workflow, including tissue processing, embedding, sectioning, staining, coverslipping, slide and cassette printing, cryostats, containment hoods, and ancillary lab infrastructure. It holds exclusive distribution rights in its served markets for the Dakewe and Myr product lines and sells remanufactured Leica, Sakura, Microm, and Reichert Jung instruments restored to OEM performance specifications with warranty coverage, marketed under its MES Exclusive brand alongside third-party OEM products.

The underlying technology is distribution, remanufacturing, and service rather than proprietary R&D. Core offerings are sourced from original equipment manufacturers including 4E's USA (UV laser cassette and slide printers), Dakewe (automated stainers, tissue processors, cryostats, coverslippers), Leica, Sakura, Myr, Boekel Scientific, Airfiltronix, Primera, Epredia, Quincy Lab, Premiere, Sanitaire, and Craftek. Distributed instruments integrate with LIMS, LIS, HIS, PIS, and PACS systems, and select printers support barcode-based specimen tracking. The company supports these products with an in-house remanufacturing operation, equipment repair, preventative maintenance contracts, technical support, and lab buildout and consulting services.

Medical Equipment Source operates a direct-to-buyer, quote-based distribution model through its e-commerce website (medequipsource.com). Pricing is not publicly disclosed; all transactions require customer-initiated quote requests. Revenue is generated across new equipment sales, remanufactured equipment sales, equipment repair, preventative maintenance contracts, technical support, and lab buildout services. The customer base spans hospital-based and independent histology and pathology laboratories, Mohs surgery and dermatology practices, research and educational institutions, and industrial laboratories, with no public concentration in any single end customer.

Name

Medical Equipment Source

Legal name

Medical Equipment Source

Website

https://medequipsource.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Medical Equipment Source is a Pittsburgh-based distributor founded in 2002 that sells new and remanufactured histology and pathology laboratory equipment from more than 15 manufacturers, plus repair, maintenance, and lab buildout services, to hospitals, independent labs, and research institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Histology and Pathology Laboratory Equipment Distribution

NAICS

Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (33911), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821)

akta.pro primary industry

Maintenance, Service Contracts & Equipment Repair (Field Service, Parts) (HLAGAIAN)

Keywords

• Histology laboratory equipment
• Pathology laboratory supplies
• Refurbished histology equipment
• Laboratory equipment distribution
• Histology workflow solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. New Equipment Sales: Medical Equipment Source generates the majority of its revenue from the sale of new laboratory equipment, including histology instrumentation, UV laser printers, containment hoods, ovens, stainers, microtomes, cryostats, and coverslippers sourced from multiple manufacturers.
2. Remanufactured/Refurbished Equipment Sales: A significant portion of MES's catalog consists of professionally remanufactured equipment from brands such as Leica, Sakura, Microm, and Reichert, sold at reduced cost with warranties, providing an alternative revenue stream to new equipment sales.
3. Equipment Repair Services: MES offers equipment repair services for laboratory instrumentation, providing a service revenue stream beyond product sales.
4. Preventative Maintenance: The company provides preventative maintenance contracts and services to ensure ongoing reliable operation of laboratory equipment, generating recurring service revenue.
5. Technical Support: Technical support services are offered to customers, providing assistance for installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of laboratory equipment sold through MES.
6. Lab Buildout Consulting: MES offers lab buildout and furniture services, helping laboratories configure and set up their physical workspace, adding a consulting services revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Medical Equipment Source (MES) is a distributor of new and professionally remanufactured histology and pathology laboratory equipment sourced from more than 15 manufacturers, offering instruments across the complete tissue processing, embedding, sectioning, staining, coverslipping, printing, storage, and containment workflow. The company also carries MES Exclusive Line products (MES 800 Microtome, Myr embedding centers, Dakewe automated stainers and coverslippers) and supports its equipment sales with repair, preventative maintenance, technical support, lab buildout, and consulting services.

Product overview

Medical Equipment Source is a distributor of new and remanufactured histology and pathology laboratory equipment, offering a comprehensive portfolio of instruments for tissue processing, sectioning, staining, and coverslipping workflows. The product portfolio includes cassette and slide laser printers (4E's USA, Dakewe, Primera), automated stainers (Dakewe, Leica, Sakura, Epredia, Myr), tissue processors (Dakewe, Sakura, Myr), embedding centers (Myr, Sakura), microtomes (Leica, Myr, Sakura, Microm, MES), cryostats (Dakewe, Leica), containment hoods (Airfiltronix), laboratory ovens (Boekel Scientific, Quincy Lab), coverslippers (Dakewe, Leica, Sakura), pipettes (Per4mance, Precipette), and ancillary lab equipment. The company distinguishes between new equipment brands and a substantial remanufactured/refurbished equipment line featuring major brands like Leica, Sakura, and Microm. Beyond equipment sales, MES offers service packages including equipment repair, preventative maintenance, technical support, lab buildout, and consulting services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 4E's USA Tissue Cassette UV Laser Printer (UVP202002) High-throughput UV laser printer that permanently etches text, symbols, barcodes, and QR codes directly into tissue cassettes without ink or consumables, with 540-cassette capacity across 6 hoppers, 10-inch touchscreen, built-in barcode scanner, and LIMS/HIMS integration for histology laboratories.
• 4E's USA UV Laser Slide Printer (UVP201001) UV laser microscope slide printer that etches permanent markings directly into slide surfaces without consumables, with 100-slide capacity, sub-3-second printing, built-in barcode scanner, and LIMS/HIMS integration for histology and pathology laboratories.
• 4E's USA UV Laser Slide Printer with Dual Hopper (UVP202001D) Automated dual-hopper UV laser slide printer for high-throughput histology and pathology laboratories, supporting both batch and on-demand printing with LIMS/HIMS integration.
• Dakewe SurePrint C100 Laser Cassette Printer Intelligent laser cassette printer with non-contact marking technology for histology labs, featuring LIS/HIS/PIS/PACS integration and high-speed printing up to 2.5 seconds per cassette.
• Dakewe SurePrint S200 Slide Printer UV laser slide printer with dual input hoppers, 5-second printing speed, and seamless LIS/HIS/PIS/PACS integration for histology and pathology workflows.
• Primera Signature Cassette Printer Thermal transfer cassette printer supporting direct printing onto tissue cassettes with barcode capability, USB interface for LIS connectivity, and up to 11 cassettes per minute throughput.
• Primera Signature EVO Slide Printer Direct-onto-slide thermal transfer printer with patented air-separator technology for reliable slide feeding, 300 dpi resolution, and linear/2D barcode printing capability.
• Airfiltronix Containment Hood Series (G-24, G-30, G-36, G-46, G-50) Ductless containment hood systems with HEPA and activated carbon filtration for laboratory safety, featuring backward curved blowers up to 530 CFM and workspace widths from 22 to 50 inches.
• Boekel Scientific Laboratory Ovens (107800, 107905, 107801) Natural air convection laboratory ovens with double wall construction and glass wool insulation, supporting temperatures up to 215 degrees C for annealing, polymerization, and sterilization applications.
• Boekel Scientific Tissue Processing Equipment Histology wax dispensers, tissue flotation baths, and storage cabinets for paraffin-based tissue processing workflows in pathology laboratories.
• Dakewe CS500 Automated Glass Coverslipper Fully automated glass coverslipping system with 500 slides per hour throughput, touchscreen interface, and sensor-controlled mountant dispensing for histology and pathology laboratories.
• Dakewe SC2000 Slide Stainer and Glass Coverslipper System Integrated automated staining and coverslipping system combining DP360 automated stainer with CS500 coverslipper for continuous high-throughput histology workflows.
• Dakewe DP360 Automated Stainer High-throughput automated slide stainer with remote monitoring, 26 stations, hydrophobic slide carriers for minimal cross-contamination, and real-time network connectivity.
• Dakewe HP300 Tissue Processor Tissue processor with 300-cassette capacity, LCD monitoring, Wi-Fi remote access, 4 cleaning modes, and heated retort for automated tissue processing in histology laboratories.
• Dakewe CT520 Cryostat Microtome Precision cryostat with 53L cryochamber, dual compressors, 12.1-inch touchscreen, UV sterilization, and anti-bacterial nano-silver coating for frozen section histology workflows.
• Myr EC 350 Modular Tissue Embedding Center Modular embedding system with separate dispensing and cryo consoles, 5L paraffin reservoir, heated cassette/mold storage, and ergonomic design for histology pathology workflows.
• Myr M-240 Semi-Automated Rotary Microtome 7-inch touchscreen rotary microtome with motorized specimen feed, precision sectioning from 0.5 to 100 micrometers, and ergonomic handwheel for histology sectioning.
• Myr M-250 Fully Automated Rotary Microtome Fully automated rotary microtome with motorized sectioning modes (interval, single, continuous), 7-inch touchscreen, programmable sectioning speeds, and automated specimen feed control.
• Myr SS-30 Slide Stainer Multi-protocol slide stainer supporting up to 5 simultaneous staining protocols, 20 programs with 50 steps each, and programmable immersion times for histology and cytology labs.
• Myr STP 120 Tissue Processor Spin tissue processor with patented rotational agitation technique, 120-cassette capacity, and programmable infiltration for histology tissue processing workflows.
• MES800 Rotary Microtome Manual and semi-automated rotary microtome with quick release specimen clamp, sectioning range 0.5 to 100 micrometers, for clinical and research histology laboratories.
• Quincy Lab Ovens (10GC, 20GC, 30GC) Gravity convection laboratory ovens with capacities from 0.7 to 2.0 cubic feet, temperature ranges to 450 degrees F, and aluminized steel construction for research and industrial applications.
• Leica Remanufactured Cryostats (CM 1510, CM 1850, CM1850 UV) Remanufactured cryostats for rapid tissue freezing, featuring quick freeze shelves down to -45 degrees C, motorized coarse advance, and temperature ranges for Mohs surgery and pathology applications.
• Leica Remanufactured Microtomes (RM2135, RM2235, RM2255) Remanufactured manual and automated rotary microtomes with patented force compensation systems, precision knife holders, and sectioning ranges from 0.5 to 100 micrometers.
• Leica CV5030 Robotic Coverslipper Remanufactured automated glass coverslipper processing approximately 300 slides per hour, accepting various slide types and compatible with most staining racks for high-volume histology labs.
• Leica Autostainer XL Remanufactured automated slide stainer with 15 programmable protocols, throughput up to 600 slides per hour, integrated oven, and fume extraction for H&E and special staining.
• Sakura Tissue-Tek Prisma Automated Slide Stainer Remanufactured random-access automated stainer supporting up to 50 staining methods, batch and continuous loading, 3-axis robotic arm, and 10.4-inch color touchscreen for surgical pathology.
• Sakura Tissue-Tek Glas G2 Glass Coverslipper Remanufactured high-speed glass coverslipper processing up to 400 slides per hour with mechatronic slide technology, barcode scanner option, and LIS connectivity for histology labs.
• Sakura Tissue-Tek Film Coverslippers (4740, SCA 4764) Film-based automated coverslippers using Tissue-Tek Coverslipping Film, with throughput up to 1,200 slides per hour (SCA 4764) and integrated carbon filtration for xylene management.
• Sakura Tissue-Tek VIP Tissue Processors (VIP 5, VIP 6, VIP 6 AI) Remanufactured tissue processors with capacities up to 300 cassettes, touchscreen interfaces, reagent management systems, and automated processing protocols for histology laboratories.
• Sakura Tissue-Tek TEC 5 Embedding Center Remanufactured small-footprint embedding center with flexible module placement, adjustable paraffin flow, and temperature-controlled areas from 50 to 75 degrees C for histology workflows.
• Microm Remanufactured Microtomes (HM 325, HM 355 S3) Remanufactured manual and automated microtomes with precision sectioning ranges, retraction functions, and compatibility with histology tissue processing workflows.
• Per4mance and Precipette Pipettes ISO 8655 calibrated adjustable volume pipettes ranging from 0.1-2.0 microliters to 1-10 milliliters, with autoclavable lower portions and ergonomic designs for left-handed users.
• Epredia Linistat Linear Stainer Compact linear stainer for frozen sectioning with 14 staining stations, under 5-minute total staining time, and compatibility with most cryostats for rapid pathology diagnostics.
• Rushabh HistoPro 414 Linear Slide Stainer Programmable linear stainer with 14 reagent stations, processing up to 900 tissue slides per hour, LCD interface, and compact footprint for surgical pathology applications.
• Sanitaire UV Room Air Sanitizers (RS435, RS72) Germicidal UV air sanitizers using 254nm ultraviolet irradiation for airborne microorganism inactivation in healthcare, laboratory, and institutional environments.
• Premiere Tissue Flotation Waterbath and Wax Trimmer Lighted tissue flotation waterbath with temperature control up to 75 degrees C and wax trimmer with dual heat settings for histology slide preparation workflows.
• Lab Furniture and Safety Equipment Stainless steel lab tables, flammable safety cabinets, ergonomic stools, and Histo-Cool blocks for histology laboratory workspaces and cold storage needs.
• Equipment Repair, Preventative Maintenance, and Lab Buildout Services Equipment repair, preventative maintenance contracts, technical support, lab buildout consulting, and furniture services for histology laboratory operations, supporting new and remanufactured equipment sold through MES.

Quantifiable outcome

• Remanufactured equipment offered at a fraction of the cost of new equipment while maintaining original manufacturer performance specifications and warranty coverage.
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 4E's USAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor4E's USA is a manufacturer of UV laser tissue cassette and microscope slide printers. Medical Equipment Source distributes 4E's USA products in the North American market, offering the UVP202002 cassette printer and UVP201001/U VP202001D slide printers through its e-commerce platform with local warranty and support.
• AirfiltronixcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAirfiltronix manufactures a series of ductless containment hoods and fume hoods for laboratory air filtration. MES distributes the full Airfiltronix G-series containment hood lineup (G-24 through G-50), including the VK-1 vent adapter kit, offering these products alongside compatible filter options (HEPA, activated carbon) to North American laboratories.
• Boekel ScientificcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBoekel Scientific is a manufacturer of histology lab equipment including wax dispensers, laboratory ovens, tissue flotation baths, and storage cabinets. MES distributes Boekel Scientific products such as the paraffin wax dispenser, large/medium/small laboratory ovens, and tissue flotation bath to North American laboratories.
• DakewecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDakewe manufactures histology instrumentation including automated stainers, coverslippers, tissue processors, and cassette/slide laser printers. MES is an exclusive distributor (MES Exclusive Line) for Dakewe products in the markets it serves, offering the CS500 coverslipper, DP360 stainer, HP300 tissue processor, CT520 cryostat, SC2000 stainer+coverslipper system, and SurePrint C100 and S200 laser printers.
• EATONminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEATON manufactures the 9SX UPS (uninterruptible power supply) system for medical and industrial applications. MES offers the EATON 9SX2000 battery backup system as part of its product catalog, targeting medical and light industrial environments requiring mission-critical power protection.
• EprediaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEpredia (formerly part of Thermo Fisher Scientific) produces the Linistat linear stainer for frozen sectioning. MES distributes the Epredia Linistat linear stainer (PN new and remanufactured versions), a compact slide stainer designed for cryostat-based workflows with 14 staining stations and rapid turnaround.
• Leica MicrosystemscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeica Microsystems is a leading manufacturer of precision histology equipment including microtomes, cryostats, stainers, and coverslippers. MES distributes a wide range of remanufactured Leica products including the RM2135, RM2235, and RM2255 microtomes, CM1510 and CM1850 cryostats, CV5030 coverslipper, and Autostainer XL, all professionally remanufactured and backed by Leica's ISO 9001 quality standards.
• MyrcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMyr is a manufacturer of histology embedding centers and microtomes. MES holds an exclusive distribution arrangement (MES Exclusive Line) for Myr products including the EC 350 modular tissue embedding center, M-240 semi-automated rotary microtome, M-250 fully automated rotary microtome, SS-30 slide stainer, and STP 120 tissue processor, offering these as MES-branded exclusive products.
• PremiereminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremiere (S.imports) manufactures histology lab equipment including the XH-1003 lighted tissue flotation waterbath and XH-90D wax trimmer. MES distributes Premiere products as part of its general histology catalog, supporting routine embedding and flotation workflows.
• PrimeraminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimera is a manufacturer of specialty printing systems including the Signature cassette printer and Signature EVO slide printer for histology specimen labeling. MES distributes Primera's thermal transfer and ink-based cassette and slide printers, which provide chemical-resistant labeling for laboratory specimen identification.
• Quincy LabminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorQuincy Lab manufactures general-purpose laboratory ovens using gravity convection heating. MES distributes the Quincy 10GC, 20GC, and 30GC laboratory ovens with temperature ranges up to 450°F (232°C), targeting industrial, research, and educational laboratory applications.
• Sakura FinetekcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSakura Finetek is a major manufacturer of histology automation including tissue processors, embedding centers, stainers, and coverslippers. MES distributes an extensive range of remanufactured Sakura products including the Tissue-Tek Prisma, Tissue-Tek Prisma Plus, VIP 5 and VIP 6 tissue processors, TEC 5 embedding center, DRS 2000 stainer, CV5030/CV5060 coverslippers, 4740 and SCA film coverslippers, and Accu-Cut SRM 200 microtome, all professionally remanufactured.
• Sanitaire (Atlantic Ultraviolet)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSanitaire (a brand of Atlantic Ultraviolet Corporation) manufactures UV room air sanitizers using germicidal ultraviolet irradiation. MES distributes Sanitaire RS435 and RS72 UV air sanitizers designed for occupied spaces in healthcare, laboratory, and institutional environments, providing airborne pathogen control.
• Craftek (MES 800 Microtome)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCraftek manufactures the MES 800 rotary microtome, sold exclusively through Medical Equipment Source under the MES Exclusive Line. MES distributes the MES 800 as a reliable manual and semi-automated rotary microtome for routine clinical and research histology sectioning.
• Microm (Remanufactured)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMicrom (Thermo Fisher Scientific) manufactures microtomes. MES distributes remanufactured Microm HM 325 manual microtomes and HM 355 S3 automated microtomes, professionally restored to original performance specifications and sold with warranty coverage.
• Reichert Jung (Remanufactured)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReichert Jung (now part of Leica Microsystems) manufactures precision microtomes. MES distributes remanufactured Reichert Jung 2030 manual microtomes, professionally restored to deliver reliable sectioning performance for histology and industrial applications.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• CellPath: UK-based histology and cytology supplies and equipment manufacturer/distributor serving European and global markets. Comparable to MES as a histology-focused specialist distributor with overlapping product categories (processing, embedding, staining, slide printing), but operating primarily outside MES's core North American footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Leica Biosystems: Major histology OEM (microtomes, cryostats, stainers, coverslippers) and current MES partner whose remanufactured products MES resells. Comparable as a potential direct competitor if Leica expanded its own direct-sales and remanufactured channels, which would undercut MES's distribution and used-equipment business simultaneously.
• Bio-Techne: Life-science tools and diagnostics company with histology-adjacent reagent and instrument offerings (e.g., ACD RNAscope, ExoDx). Comparable as a larger, diversified life-science tools business that competes with MES for histology lab budgets and OEM relationships.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Fisher Scientific): Operates the Fisher Scientific channel — the dominant North American laboratory equipment and supplies distributor — and also owns Epredia, a histology-specific business. Directly comparable as a competing broad-line distribution channel and as a parent of one of MES's OEM partners, with the scale to outbid MES on major OEM relationships.
• Sakura Finetek: Major histology automation OEM (Tissue-Tek Prisma, VIP processors, TEC 5 embedding centers, Glas G2 / SCA coverslippers, Accu-Cut microtomes) and current MES partner. Comparable as a primary supplier of MES's remanufactured catalog and as a potential direct-sales threat to MES's distribution value proposition in North America.
• Eppendorf: Global manufacturer and distributor of premium laboratory equipment including pipettes, centrifuges, and sample-preparation instruments. Comparable to MES as a competing premium lab-equipment channel with overlapping customers in research and clinical laboratories.
• Avantor (VWR): One of the largest global distributors of laboratory equipment, supplies, and consumables across multiple scientific verticals. Comparable to MES as a competing distribution channel for histology OEMs, but with vastly larger catalog, sales force, and procurement scale that threatens MES on hospital and reference-lab bid lists.

Emerging players

• Boekel Scientific: Mid-sized US manufacturer of histology laboratory equipment (wax dispensers, ovens, tissue flotation baths, storage cabinets) and current MES distribution partner. Comparable as a histology equipment specialist whose products MES resells, and as a smaller competitor to MES in lab equipment supply.
• Dakewe: China-based histology instrumentation manufacturer (CS500 coverslipper, DP360 stainer, HP300 tissue processor, CT520 cryostat, SurePrint printers) with MES as its exclusive North American distribution partner. Comparable as a current MES supplier that could become a direct competitor if Dakewe established its own US sales and service operation.

Direct peers

• StatLab Medical Products: Histology-focused distributor offering slides, cassettes, reagents, and equipment to pathology labs in North America. Closest direct peer to MES given near-identical target customer (hospital and independent histology labs), overlapping OEM partnerships, and combined equipment-plus-consumables model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/medequipsource

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Medical Equipment Source