What F&S Scientific does

F&S Scientific Ltd is a privately held, Nairobi-headquartered distribution company founded in 1983 that supplies laboratory instruments, diagnostic equipment, and scientific consumables to customers across East & Central Africa. The company operates as an authorized distributor for more than 20 global manufacturers including Agilent, Bio-Rad, Illumina, Eppendorf, Metrohm, Neogen, Testo, Memmert, Velp Scientifica, Angelantoni, Copan Diagnostics, and ELGA LabWater, organized across five solution verticals: General Lab Products, Life Sciences, Clinical Diagnostics, Analytical Sciences & Food Safety, and Climate & Environmental Monitoring. The underlying business is technology-oriented distribution rather than proprietary manufacturing—the portfolio spans biosafety cabinets, ULT freezers, NGS sequencers, ion chromatography systems, ELISA/PCR platforms, environmental dataloggers, and disposable consumables (pipette tips, centrifuge tubes, petri dishes), alongside cloud-connected partner platforms such as Illumina BaseSpace, DRAGEN bioinformatics, Testo Cloud, and Bio-Rad QCNet.

Revenue mechanics are built on a quote-based, B2B sales motion targeting healthcare facilities, research institutions, industrial QA/QC labs, and medical laboratories, with one-time hardware sales complemented by recurring consumables and service revenue (after-sale support, workflow consultancy, turnkey laboratory set-ups, and project management). The company employs 50+ people and is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, funding rounds, or M&A activity; revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. Geographic reach is framed as East & Central Africa, though only a single Nairobi office is documented. Value-added layers beyond pure distribution—application consultancy, instrument installation, method validation support, and consumable replenishment cycles—differentiate F&S from transactional box-movers and create stickier customer relationships in regulated verticals.

Name

F&S Scientific

Legal name

F&S Scientific Ltd

Website

https://fnscientific.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

F&S Scientific Ltd is a Nairobi-based, authorized distributor founded in 1983 supplying laboratory instruments, diagnostic equipment, and scientific consumables from 20+ global manufacturers to healthcare, research, industrial, and medical laboratory customers across East & Central Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Westlands

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Laboratory Instruments Distribution: Distribution of laboratory instruments including analytical equipment, diagnostic platforms, and scientific instruments sourced from international manufacturers. Revenue generated through product sales with pricing based on quoted amounts for specific instruments.
2. Scientific Consumables: Supply of laboratory consumables including pipette tips, centrifuge tubes, petri dishes, reagents, and testing kits.
3. Service and Support: After-sale support services including instrument maintenance, calibration, and technical consultancy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

F&S Scientific is a technology-oriented distribution company that supplies laboratory instruments, diagnostic equipment, and scientific consumables from over 20 leading international manufacturers (including Agilent, Bio-Rad, Illumina, Eppendorf, Metrohm, Testo, Memmert) to customers across East & Central Africa. Beyond product distribution, the company provides after-sale technical support, workflow and application consultancy, turnkey laboratory setup services, and project management for facilities establishing or upgrading research and testing operations.

Product overview

F&S Scientific is a technology-oriented distribution company offering laboratory instruments, consumables, and testing solutions for East & Central Africa since 1983. The company provides five core product categories: General Lab Products (biosafety cabinets, freezers, fumehoods, incubators, sterilization, water purification), Life Sciences (genomics, serology, microbiology, PCR, liquid handling), Clinical Diagnostics (diabetes testing, newborn screening, immunohematology, quality controls), Analytical Sciences & Food Safety (mycotoxin/allergen testing, spectroscopy, chromatography, titration), and Climate & Environmental Monitoring (air quality, stack emissions, datalogging). The portfolio includes branded products from global manufacturers including Neogen, Bio-Rad, Agilent, Illumina, Eppendorf, Metrohm, Testo, Memmert, Velp Scientifica, Angelantoni, and others. Beyond product distribution, F&S Scientific offers services including after-sale support, workflow consultancy, turnkey laboratory setups, and project management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Lab Products Laboratory equipment portfolio including biosafety cabinets, fridges and freezers, fumehoods, incubators and ovens, laboratory consumables, sterilization equipment, and water purification systems selected from leading manufacturers.
• Life Sciences Solutions Comprehensive life sciences solutions including genomics, serology, microbiology, temperature control and mixing, liquid and sample handling, and PCR equipment to empower scientists and researchers.
• Clinical Diagnostics Automated diagnostic platforms combining tests with instruments for diabetes testing, immunohaematology, newborn screening, quality controls and data management, and microbiology to optimize patient result turnaround times.
• Analytical Sciences & Food Safety Cutting-edge analytical solutions for food safety including aflatoxin and mycotoxin detection, allergen testing, water quality, electrochemistry, titration, ion chromatography, spectroscopy, residue analysis, process analysis, and nutrition analysis.
• Climate & Environmental Monitoring Environmental monitoring solutions for real-time decision making and portable measurements including indoor air quality, stack emissions, temperature and humidity datalogging, and hygiene testing.
• Instrument, Reagent & Consumables Supply Supply and distribution of laboratory instruments, reagents, and consumables from leading global manufacturers across East & Central Africa.
• After-sale Support Technical support and maintenance services for installed laboratory equipment, including calibration and service agreement options.
• Workflow & Application Consultancy Expert consultation on laboratory workflows and applications to optimize scientific processes and outcomes.
• Turnkey Projects / Lab Set-ups Complete laboratory setup and turnkey project solutions for establishing new research or testing facilities, including instrument installation, workflow design, and application consultancy.
• Project Management Professional project management services for laboratory equipment installation and facility development.
• Allergens Testing Solutions Quantitative ELISA and qualitative lateral flow diagnostic testing solutions for rapid allergen detection in various sample types, designed to detect low levels of allergen as part of allergen control plans.
• Mycotoxins Testing Solutions Wide range of qualitative and quantitative test kits for mycotoxin detection with full-service support including remote training, troubleshooting, proficiency testing programs, and ISO-accredited labs.
• Aflatoxin & Mycotoxins Detection Test kits and full-service mycotoxin support including remote training, troubleshooting, procedure pages, proficiency testing programs, 24/7 customer assistance, and ISO-accredited labs.
• 3rd Party Quality Control Exact Diagnostics molecular controls and panels for unsurpassed quality in diagnostic areas, plus immunoassay quality controls for therapeutic drug monitoring, drugs of abuse, infectious diseases, and disease state markers.
• External Quality Assurance Services (EQAS) Specimen packs and documentation for quality assurance with results compared to other laboratories using same methodologies, instruments, and reagents. Includes online submission, QCNet reporting, and End-of-Cycle performance reports.
• Cold Storage (ULT Freezers) Eppendorf -80°C ultra-low temperature freezers for storing freezer boxes and valuable samples.
• Biological Safety Cabinets Class II Microbiological Safety Cabinets certified by TÜV NORD according to EN12469, available in sizes from 90cm to 180cm width, with DIN12980-compliant options for cytotoxic preparations.
• Sequencing Platforms Illumina next-generation sequencing platforms delivering exceptional data quality and accuracy at massive scale for genomics research.
• D-10 Hemoglobin Testing System Bio-Rad automated hemoglobin testing system combining HbA1c and HbA2/F/A1c testing on a single platform for clinics, physician offices, and clinical laboratories.
• Variant NBS Analyzer Bio-Rad automated newborn screening system for sickle cell disease and hemoglobin disorders using dried blood spot specimens.
• FLOQSwabs Flocked swabs with nylon fibres arranged perpendicularly for quick sample uptake and elution of more than 90% of sample.
• Universal Transport Media (UTM) FDA-cleared collection and transport system for viral molecular diagnostic testing including COVID-19, chlamydia, mycoplasma, maintaining organism viability for 48 hours.
• DRAGEN Bioinformatics Platform Accurate, comprehensive, and efficient secondary analysis of NGS data with hardware acceleration processing whole human genome in approximately 30 minutes.
• Medical Refrigerators Angelantoni NEXUS V medical refrigerators with 340, 530, and 810-liter capacity, -80°C working temperature, CFC-free insulation, and optional RFID BIOGUARD technology.
• Medical Freezers Angelantoni X-Cold LT medical freezers with 700 and 900-liter capacity, -30°C working temperature, and optional RFID BIOGUARD technology.

Quantifiable outcome

• One of East & Central Africa's leading laboratory instrument and consumable providers
• +1 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Angelantoni Life SciencecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for medical refrigerators and freezers. Angelantoni provides ultra-low temperature freezers (-80°C) and medical refrigeration equipment distributed by F&S Scientific in East Africa.
• Astell ScientificcoreTechnology or IntegrationAutoclaves and sterilizers partnership. Astell Scientific provides sterilization equipment distributed through F&S Scientific's East African network.
• AgilentcoreTechnology or IntegrationAgilent BioTek microplate readers, washers, dispensers, and automated microscopes. Comprehensive range of detection and imaging solutions for research and diagnostics.
• ABDOS life sciencecoreTechnology or IntegrationLaboratory consumables including pipette tips, centrifuge tubes, and petri dishes distributed in East Africa.
• Bio-RadcoreTechnology or IntegrationBio-Rad ID-System, quality controls, identification products, hemoglobin testing systems (D-10, VARIANTnbs), and EQAS external quality assurance services.
• Copan DiagnosticscoreTechnology or IntegrationFLOQSwabs flocked swabs and UTM Universal Transport Medium for clinical specimen collection and viral testing applications.
• EppendorfcoreTechnology or IntegrationCold storage solutions (-80°C ULT freezers), centrifuges, and liquid handling equipment for laboratory applications.
• MetrohmcoreTechnology or IntegrationElectrochemistry, titration, ion chromatography, and process analysis instruments including Karl Fischer titration, potentiometric titration, and stability measurement equipment.
• NeogencoreTechnology or IntegrationAllergen detection (ELISA and lateral flow), mycotoxin testing kits, Soleris NG microbiology detection, and AccuPoint ATP hygiene monitoring systems.
• TestocoreTechnology or IntegrationTemperature and humidity dataloggers, flue gas analyzers, air quality meters, thermal imagers, cooking oil testers, and infrared thermometers for environmental monitoring.
• ELGA LabWatercoreTechnology or IntegrationWater purification systems and deionization equipment for laboratory water treatment needs.
• IlluminacoreTechnology or IntegrationNext-generation sequencing platforms, library preparation kits, sequencing reagents, and bioinformatics solutions (DRAGEN analysis) for genomics research.
• TelstarcoreTechnology or IntegrationBiological safety cabinets (Class II microbiological safety cabinets) and laminar airflow cabinets for laboratory biosafety.
• Velp ScientificacoreTechnology or IntegrationExtensive range including flocculators, overhead shakers, pumps, distillation units, fiber analyzers, and nutrition analysis equipment.
• MemmertcoreTechnology or IntegrationLaboratory ovens, incubators, water baths, and temperature control equipment known for precision and reliability.

Scale indicators5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Labotec: Established South African distributor of laboratory, scientific, and analytical equipment serving industry, research, and healthcare customers. Highly comparable to F&S as a regional Africa-focused lab instruments and consumables distributor with multi-brand authorizations and value-added services.
• Chemetrix: South African distributor of analytical laboratory instruments and consumables, representing global principals across chromatography, spectroscopy, and life sciences. Directly comparable to F&S in business model (multi-brand distribution), customer verticals, and go-to-market across the African continent.
• Anochrome Scientific: East Africa-based laboratory equipment and scientific supplies distributor operating in Kenya and the wider region. Closest head-to-head regional competitor to F&S Scientific, with overlapping product categories and customer base.

Regional players

• Scientific Group: Multi-decade African distributor of laboratory, diagnostic, and scientific equipment headquartered in South Africa with a pan-African footprint. Comparable to F&S as a multi-brand channel partner, though its primary geography (Southern Africa) does not directly overlap with F&S's East African stronghold.

Broad incumbents

• Avantor: Global distributor of laboratory products, equipment, and services (including the legacy VWR channel) with a comprehensive multi-brand catalog across life sciences, healthcare, and industrial customers. Comparable to F&S in distribution model and breadth, but operates globally and at vastly larger scale.
• Fisher Scientific (Thermo Fisher Scientific): World's largest laboratory products distributor under Thermo Fisher Scientific, offering instruments, consumables, and services globally. Overlaps with F&S's catalog breadth and customer verticals, though it does not focus on East Africa and is a much larger incumbent.
• Hach (Veralto): Global manufacturer and distributor of water quality and environmental testing instrumentation with broad presence in industrial and utility markets. Comparable to F&S in analytical/environmental testing equipment distribution, especially for F&S's Climate & Environmental Monitoring and Water Quality lines.

Others

• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Global manufacturer of clinical diagnostics and life science research products, and one of F&S's key authorized principals in East Africa. Relevant as an ecosystem participant: it is both a supplier and a structural reference point for F&S's clinical diagnostics and quality control offerings.
• Metrohm: Swiss manufacturer of titration, ion chromatography, electrochemistry, and process analysis instruments, and an authorized principal of F&S Scientific. Comparable as a key upstream partner whose product roadmap and regional strategy directly shapes F&S's analytical sciences and food safety portfolio.
• Illumina: Global leader in next-generation sequencing platforms, library prep, and bioinformatics, and a core F&S Scientific principal for the East African genomics market. Included as an ecosystem participant whose licensing and partner strategy directly influences F&S's life sciences growth trajectory.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/f-&-s-scientific-ltd

Compliance13 records

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 F&S Scientific