What Plexx does

Plexx B.V. is a Netherlands-based specialty distributor of laboratory animal care equipment and consumables serving the European biomedical research industry. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Elst, the company supplies a comprehensive product portfolio covering the full laboratory animal workflow: identification transponders and readers (BMDS), small animal anaesthesia and surgical warming systems (E-Z Systems, including AD-5000 digital and EZ-Heat platforms), CO2 euthanasia systems (Euthanex), rodent housing and IVC racks (Lab Products), zebrafish and Xenopus aquatics systems (Iwaki), automated feeding (FeederBot), bag-based watering (Hydropac), and environmental enrichment (Bio-Serv, Datesand, Ancare). The company differentiates through patented breather mask technology integrated into E-Z Systems products, exclusive European service-center status for several anchor OEM brands, and 20 consecutive years of ISO 9001 accreditation.

Plexx operates a sales-led, hybrid distribution model combining direct field sales (with dedicated regional representatives for the UK/Ireland, France, Germany/Austria/Switzerland, and Scandinavia) and a network of national distributors covering Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Turkey, Finland, Estonia and Kazakhstan. Revenue is generated through one-time equipment and consumables sales, recurring service/maintenance/validation contracts, and product consultation/training engagements, all priced on a quotation basis rather than published price lists. The customer base spans universities, pharmaceutical companies, CROs, and research hospitals across 30+ countries, with primary segments being biomedical research institutions and laboratory animal care facilities, plus a secondary segment in aquatic research facilities. No public revenue, funding, or ownership disclosures are available, and the company remains privately held as a Dutch B.V.

Name

Plexx

Legal name

PLEXX B.V.

Website

https://plexx.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Plexx B.V. is a Netherlands-based specialty distributor of laboratory animal care equipment and consumables, serving biomedical research institutions across Europe with anaesthesia, identification, housing, aquatics, and euthanasia products under exclusive service-center mandates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Laboratory Animal Care Equipment

NAICS

Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (3391)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841), Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821)

akta.pro primary industry

Surgical & Procedural Instruments (Scalpels, Forceps, Retractors) (HLAMAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Practice Consumables & General Medical Supplies (Needles, Syringes, Gloves, Swabs) (HLAMAFAO), Sterilization, Infection Control & PPE (Autoclaves, Disinfectants, Barriers) (HLAMAFAH), Wound Care, Bandaging & Consumables (Dressings, Sutures, Staplers) (HLAMAFAF)

Keywords

• Laboratory animal equipment
• Biomedical research supplies
• Animal identification systems
• Anaesthesia delivery systems
• Environmental enrichment products

Headquarters

HQ city

Elst

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Equipment and Consumables Sales: Plexx generates revenue through the sale of laboratory animal care equipment including anaesthesia systems, identification systems, housing, aquatics, euthanasia equipment, and consumables. Products are sold as complete systems or individual components with various pricing tiers.
2. Service and Maintenance Contracts: Plexx offers servicing, repair, validation, and certification services for laboratory animal equipment. They provide both on-site servicing and repair center services, with customized service contracts available.
3. Product Consultation and Training: On-site product demonstrations and consultations, with consultants visiting clients to discuss options and provide product range information.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Plexx supplies and services laboratory animal care equipment and consumables for biomedical research institutions across Europe. Its portfolio spans animal identification transponders and readers, anaesthesia delivery and surgical warming systems, humane CO2 euthanasia systems, automated zebrafish housing and feeding, rodent housing and IVC cages, the Hydropac bag-based watering system, and a broad range of environmental enrichment products for multiple species. Plexx also acts as the exclusive European service and repair center for several partner brands and offers on-site servicing, validation, and product consultation.

Product overview

Plexx is a distributor and supplier of laboratory animal care equipment serving the biomedical research industry across Europe, UK and beyond. The company was established in 1993 and offers a diverse portfolio of physical products rather than a unified software platform. The product range includes: (1) Identification products - transponders and readers from BMDS for animal ID and temperature monitoring; (2) Anaesthesia products from E-Z Systems including complete systems (AD-5000, EZ-7000, EZ-AF9000), breathers, induction chambers, and heating devices; (3) Euthanasia products from Euthanex for humane CO2 euthanasia; (4) Hydropac watering system as an alternative to traditional bottles; (5) Enrichment and Treats from Bio-Serv, Datesand, and Ancare for environmental enrichment across multiple species; (6) Housing - conventional cages, IVC systems, metabolic cages; (7) Aquatics systems for zebrafish and Xenopus research including Iwaki products and FeederBot automated feeding; (8) Equipment including pulse oximeters, telemetry, and Sychem Airflow products. Plexx also provides servicing and repair for their products and those of partner manufacturers including being the exclusive European service center for BMDS, Lab Products IVC systems, Iwaki Aquatic, and EZ Systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Identification Products Research-specific, GLP-compliant animal identification and temperature transponders, scanners and readers from BMDS for species including mice, rats, hamsters and ferrets. Used by universities, pharmaceutical companies, CROs and research hospitals to ensure research data integrity.
• Anaesthesia Products (E-Z Systems) Flexible small animal anaesthesia systems distributed exclusively in Europe by Plexx under the E-Z Systems brand, including complete systems (AD-5000 digital, EZ-7000 classic, EZ-AF9000 automated), patented breather masks, induction chambers and integrated workbench solutions. Used in vivariums and animal research facilities for humane anaesthesia delivery.
• Euthanasia Products (Euthanex) Rodent CO2 euthanasia systems including Euthanex chamber systems and Laboratory Control Units for automated CO2 delivery, designed to meet progressive animal welfare standards. Distributed and serviced by Plexx in Europe.
• Hydropac Watering System Bag-based closed watering system for rodents offering improved water quality, reduced chemical usage, reduced water consumption and energy cost savings compared to traditional bottle systems. Includes water pouches and sterile disposable valves.
• Enrichment and Treats Complete range of environmental enrichment items from Bio-Serv, Datesand and Ancare, including nesting materials, chew toys, play structures, tunnels and ramps for mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, ferrets, dogs, primates and aquatic animals.
• Housing Products Traditional laboratory animal caging, racks, bottles and enclosures for conventional and higher-containment areas. Includes conventional cages, IVC ventilated systems (Lab Products), containment systems, transport carts, metabolic cages and SounBreak sound absorption panels. Includes Sychem Airflow range products for allergen reduction.
• Aquatics Systems Zebrafish and Xenopus housing systems, multi-rack systems, controllers, pumps, filters, fish food, and semi-automatic and automatic food dispensers, including Iwaki Aquatic LAbREED zebrafish systems and FeederBot automated feeding.
• Laboratory Equipment Additional laboratory equipment including Kevlar gloves for animal handling, MouseOx Plus pulse oximeters, IPTT-300 temperature transponders, telemetry systems, Veinlite devices, Sychem Airflow products and PHV decontamination systems.
• EZ-Heat Surgical Warming System Patented touchscreen-controlled warming system for up to four EZ-Heat beds (Flat, V-shaped, XL) with optional Microflex breather integration and a temperature range of 29.5–40°C, designed to maintain animal body temperature during surgical procedures.
• AD-5000 Digital Anaesthesia System Digital touchscreen-controlled anaesthesia system with precise flow control (0.5–2.5 L/min) for two masks and an induction chamber simultaneously, with timer functionality to monitor and prevent overexposure.
• Homeothermic Temperature Controller (TC-1000) Temperature monitoring and control system using probe feedback to adjust resistive heating pads, designed for mice, rats or rabbits/cats with a temperature range of 25–45°C and 0.1°C resolution.
• FeederBot Automated Feeding System Fully automated robotized feeding system for zebrafish housing, delivering consistent and controlled feeding schedules in aquatic research facilities.
• Nestlets Preferred nest building material for mice; studies indicate continued preference for Nestlets over alternative nesting materials.
• Equipment Servicing, Repair and Validation On-site servicing, repair-center servicing, validation and certification services for Plexx-distributed equipment, offered as customized service contracts. Plexx is the exclusive European service center for BMDS, Lab Products IVC, Iwaki Aquatic and E-Z Systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced water consumption and energy costs with Hydropac system compared to traditional bottle watering
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Iwaki Aquatic Systems and ServicescoreTechnology or Integration · 4 June 2020Plexx BV and Iwaki Aquatic Systems and Services announced a new collaboration in June 2020 to bring Iwaki's comprehensive range of Aquatic Products to the European Market. This includes zebrafish housing systems, Xenopus housing systems, multi-rack systems, controllers, pumps, filters, and fish food.
• 2Biological InstrumentscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExpanded cooperation with 2Biological Instruments in Italy, who represent the full Plexx product portfolio in the Italian market. This partnership was announced in October 2023.
• E-Z Systems (EZ Anaesthesia)coreTechnology or IntegrationPlexx is the exclusive European distributor and service center for E-Z Systems anaesthesia and euthanasia products, including the AD-5000 digital anaesthesia system, EZ-Heat warming systems, and Euthanex systems.
• BMDS Animal IdentificationcoreTechnology or IntegrationPlexx is the exclusive European service and repair center for BMDS animal identification systems, including transponders, readers, and temperature monitoring solutions.
• Lab Products IVC SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationPlexx is the exclusive European service and repair center for Lab Products IVC (Individually Ventilated Cage) systems.
• Pixel CreationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWebsite development partner responsible for Plexx's redesigned website launched in November 2019.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bio-Serv: US manufacturer of laboratory animal diets, treats, and enrichment products. While Plexx distributes Bio-Serv into Europe, Bio-Serv's parent (Lab Supply) makes it a comparable specialty enrichment supplier within the same customer base.
• Tecniplast: Italy-based global manufacturer of laboratory animal housing, IVC cages, and related equipment. Direct competitor to Plexx in housing, IVC systems, and enrichment distribution across European biomedical research customers.
• Kent Scientific Corporation: Supplies laboratory animal research equipment including warming, monitoring, and anesthesia accessories. Comparable to Plexx as a niche specialist focused on rodent research workflow products.
• Braintree Scientific: Specialty distributor of laboratory animal research products (surgical platforms, stereotaxic, warming, anesthesia accessories). Closest US-side analog to Plexx's specialty-distributor model with proprietary and distributed brands.
• Stoelting Co. Manufacturer and supplier of instruments and equipment for neuroscience and behavioral/animal research, overlapping with Plexx in anesthesia adjuncts, warming, and small-animal handling products for European and global research customers.
• Allentown (Becton Dickinson): US-headquartered manufacturer of IVC cages, housing, and lab animal equipment now part of BD; competes head-to-head with Plexx's Lab Products IVC partnership and broader rodent housing lineup in Europe.
• Datesand Group: UK-based manufacturer and distributor of enrichment, nesting, and bedding products for laboratory animals. Both supplies to and competes with Plexx in the European enrichment category since Plexx also distributes Datesand products.

Broad incumbents

• Harvard Bioscience: Global life-science research equipment platform with subsidiaries spanning anesthesia, surgical, and physiological monitoring products for animal research. A broader incumbent operating adjacent categories to Plexx.
• Lab Products Inc. Long-established US manufacturer of IVC cages and lab animal housing whose products Plexx exclusively services in Europe; competes in the same end-customer category and is structurally intertwined with Plexx's service-center model.

Emerging players

• Noldus Information Technology: Dutch-based supplier of behavioral research and animal observation systems. Same customer base (biomedical researchers) and adjacent product category to Plexx's anesthesia, monitoring, and aquatics portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/plexxbv

Compliance1 record

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 Plexx