MiniFAB
SCHOTT MINIFAB is a contract manufacturer of polymer microfluidic and glass-based diagnostic and life-science research consumables, serving IVD companies and life science research tool developers across production facilities in the USA, Germany, and Australia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersMelbourne, Australia
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What MiniFAB does
SCHOTT MINIFAB is a contract design, development, and manufacturing services provider specializing in polymer microfluidic and glass-based diagnostic and life-science research consumables. Operating as a business unit within SCHOTT AG — a privately held German specialty glass conglomerate owned by the Carl Zeiss Foundation — the company provides end-to-end services from initial R&D through commercial-scale production under a "Concept to Commercialization" stage-gate process. It serves two primary customer segments: in vitro diagnostics (IVD) companies developing allergy, molecular, and immunological diagnostic consumables, and life science research tool developers requiring microarray, microfluidic, and lab-on-chip manufacturing infrastructure.
The company's core technology platform rests on 20+ years of accumulated expertise in microarray printing, microfluidic device fabrication, glass substrate processing, functional coating chemistries, and precision injection molding. Its proprietary product portfolio includes the SCHOTT® Microarray platform (pioneered for the Human Genome Project), NEXTERION® glass substrates in bonded, coated, and structured variants, and SCHOTT® Reagent Blister technology for integrated reagent storage. Production infrastructure spans three continents with facilities in Phoenix, Jena, and Melbourne, supporting both low-volume pilot lines and fully automated high-volume manufacturing.
Revenue is generated through three streams: contract manufacturing services billed on production volume and complexity, contract product development services covering R&D through prototype feasibility, and direct product sales of NEXTERION® and SCHOTT® branded consumables. Pricing is quote-based and customized per project, with multi-year contracts typical for enterprise IVD customers. The company pursues a sales-led B2B go-to-market, supported by content marketing (Solutions Magazine, corporate website), YouTube video, industry trade events, and direct inquiry/quote request funnels. No public pricing, named customer logos, or revenue figures are disclosed.
MiniFAB firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MiniFAB
- Legal name
- SCHOTT MINIFAB
- Website
- https://www.minifab.com.au/
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- SCHOTT MINIFAB is a contract manufacturer of polymer microfluidic and glass-based diagnostic and life-science research consumables, serving IVD companies and life science research tool developers across production facilities in the USA, Germany, and Australia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where MiniFAB is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Melbourne
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices3 records
Markets served
MiniFAB business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Contract Manufacturing Services: Manufacturing solutions from low-volume pilot lines to fully automated high-volume production for diagnostic and life science research consumables. Revenue generated through manufacturing fees based on production volume and complexity.
- Contract Product Development: Stage-gate development process supporting customers from initial R&D phase through prototype feasibility studies to scalable manufacturing infrastructure. Revenue generated through development service fees and engineering services.
- Product Sales (NEXTERION® and SCHOTT® branded products): Sale of cleaned and coated substrates, microarrays, reagent blisters, and glass substrates for research, diagnostics and life science applications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Quote-based custom pricing for contract manufacturing and development services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
MiniFAB product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MiniFAB is a contract design, development, and manufacturing services provider for diagnostic and life science research consumables, operating as a business unit of SCHOTT AG. The company manufactures polymer microfluidic devices, glass substrates (NEXTERION® coated, bonded, and structured variants), microarrays (SCHOTT® Microarrays), and reagent blister storage components, transitioning customer products from R&D through commercial-scale production via a stage-gate process.
Product overview
MiniFAB is a contract design, development, and manufacturing services provider for diagnostic and life science consumables, operating as part of SCHOTT. The portfolio centers on the NEXTERION® glass substrate product line (including bonded, coated, and structured variants) for biochip, microfluidic, and lab-on-chip applications, complemented by SCHOTT® Microarrays (first-generation microarray printing technology) and SCHOTT® Reagent Blisters for reagent containment in IVD and life science devices. The company also offers contract manufacturing services including pilot line production and precision injection molding, enabling seamless transition from concept to commercialization for diagnostic and life science research consumables.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SCHOTT Microarrays: First-generation microarray platform pioneered in response to the Human Genome Project demands.
- NEXTERION
- SCHOTT Reagent Blister
Products and services
- SCHOTT® Microarrays First-generation microarray printing technology pioneered in response to the Human Genome Project and continuously refined over two decades for diagnostic and life science research applications.
- NEXTERION® Glass Substrates Glass substrates for biochip, microfluidic, lab-on-chip, molecular diagnostics, immunological diagnostics, and agro-food-testing applications. Available in coated, bonded, and structured variants.
- SCHOTT® Reagent Blister Blister reagent storage technology for seamless integration of reagents into in vitro diagnostics (IVD), life sciences, and microfluidic applications. Made from high gas barrier, chemical and biologically compatible materials.
- Contract Manufacturing Services Contract manufacturing solutions from low-volume pilot lines to fully automated high-volume production for diagnostic and life science research consumables, leveraging precision injection molding and polymer microfluidic device manufacturing capabilities.
- Contract Product Development Stage-gate development process supporting customers from initial R&D phase through prototype feasibility studies to scalable manufacturing infrastructure, providing engineering and design services for diagnostic and life science consumables.
Companies that use MiniFAB
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
MiniFAB technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
MiniFAB partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
MiniFAB competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- SCHOTT AG: The German specialty glass parent company that owns SCHOTT MINIFAB. Operates broadly in pharmaceutical glass, optics, electronics, and home appliance glass; SCHOTT MINIFAB is its dedicated life science contract manufacturing arm, and the two share glass-substrate technology, branding, and corporate infrastructure.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific: Global life sciences tools and diagnostics leader with overlapping microarray, immunoassay, and IVD consumable capabilities. Comparable as both a potential customer and a competitor in the broader diagnostic and life science research consumables space where SCHOTT MINIFAB operates.
- Bio-Rad Laboratories: Major life science research and clinical diagnostics company with strong microarray and droplet digital PCR consumables franchises. Comparable to SCHOTT MINIFAB in microarray technology roots and serving overlapping life science research customers.
- Agilent Technologies: Provides microarrays, genomics, and analytical instruments for life science and diagnostics. Comparable to SCHOTT MINIFAB through its microarray product line and its relationships with IVD and life science research customers.
- Corning Incorporated: Specialty glass and materials manufacturer with established positions in life science lab consumables (Corning Life Sciences) and microplate/microarray products. Comparable to SCHOTT MINIFAB in glass-based consumables and a potential competitor in coated substrates.
Direct peers
- Dolomite Microfluidics: UK-based microfluidic device and component manufacturer offering both standard products and contract design/manufacturing services for lab-on-chip and diagnostic applications. Directly comparable as a microfluidic CDMO serving similar IVD and life science customers.
- thinXXS Microtechnology: German specialty CDMO focused on polymer-based microfluidic consumables for diagnostics and life sciences. Directly comparable to SCHOTT MINIFAB in polymer microfluidics contract manufacturing and IVD consumable production.
- Micronit Microtechnologies: Dutch microfluidics and lab-on-chip company offering design, prototyping, and contract manufacturing of glass and polymer microfluidic devices. Directly comparable to SCHOTT MINIFAB in microfluidic consumables and overlapping customer base in IVD and life sciences.
Emerging players
- uFluidix: Canadian microfluidic device specialist providing design, prototyping, and contract manufacturing for diagnostic and biotech applications. Comparable as a niche microfluidic CDMO serving emerging IVD and life science research customers.
- TE Connectivity (Microfluidics): TE Connectivity offers precision microfluidics and medical device components including contract manufacturing capabilities for diagnostic consumables. Comparable as an established component manufacturer with microfluidic capabilities targeting IVD and medical device customers.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MiniFAB social profiles
Digital presenceMiniFAB financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MiniFAB leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
MiniFAB funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MiniFAB 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 MiniFAB
What does MiniFAB do?
MiniFAB is a contract design, development, and manufacturing services provider for diagnostic and life science research consumables, operating as a business unit of SCHOTT AG. The company manufactures polymer microfluidic devices, glass substrates (NEXTERION® coated, bonded, and structured variants), microarrays (SCHOTT® Microarrays), and reagent blister storage components, transitioning customer products from R&D through commercial-scale production via a stage-gate process.
Is MiniFAB a public or private company?
MiniFAB is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was MiniFAB founded?
MiniFAB was founded in 2002.
Where is MiniFAB based?
MiniFAB is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does MiniFAB make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Contract Manufacturing Services are the primary driver. The others are contract Product Development and product Sales (NEXTERION® and SCHOTT® branded products).
Who are MiniFAB's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are SCHOTT AG, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Agilent Technologies and Corning Incorporated. Direct peers are Dolomite Microfluidics, thinXXS Microtechnology and Micronit Microtechnologies. Emerging players are uFluidix and TE Connectivity (Microfluidics).
Does MiniFAB have an API?
No public API is recorded for MiniFAB.