Apex Scientific SA
Apex Scientific SA is a South African laboratory equipment distributor supplying precision instruments from 18+ international manufacturers to academic, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and clinical research laboratories across South Africa, with five regional offices and full after-sales service.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersCornubia, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Apex Scientific SA does
Apex Scientific SA (Pty) Ltd is a South African laboratory equipment distributor headquartered in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, with regional offices in Gauteng, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape. Founded in 2015 and operating with approximately 15 employees, the company sources and distributes precision laboratory instruments from 18+ international manufacturers including Axion Biosystems, Vaisala, Raypa, Jeiotech, Wiggens, Biostream, STEMCELL Technologies, Azure Biosystems, CAPP, Allsheng, Optika, Zirbus, Arctiko, Cryste, K-Lab, and Antech Scientific. Its portfolio spans 35+ product categories covering sample preparation, cell analysis, sample storage, laboratory infrastructure, analytical instruments, and general lab equipment — a full-spectrum positioning that allows the company to serve as a single-sourcing partner for laboratory procurement in South Africa.
The business model combines hardware sales (primary revenue) with recurring service revenue from installation, commissioning, calibration, validation, and re-certification. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; terms include 30-day net payment for approved accounts, 80% prepayment on imported items, a 25% restocking fee, and a service labor rate of R650 per technician per hour. Distribution is executed through direct field-sales teams across five regional offices, supported by a content marketing program (Insights blog, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, email) and an e-commerce catalog on the company website. Apex Scientific holds no proprietary technology, patents, or certifications, and operates as a pure reseller with value-add services; the competitive moat is grounded in distribution partnerships, after-sales service depth, and nationwide coverage rather than technology ownership.
The company serves four primary customer segments — academic and research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and medical/clinical research laboratories — with industrial testing as a secondary segment. No named customer logos, revenue figures, funding history, or ownership structure are disclosed. The legal entity is a private South African close corporation (Pty) Ltd with no parent company, subsidiaries, or public ticker.
Apex Scientific SA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Apex Scientific SA
- Legal name
- Apex Scientific (Pty) Ltd
- Website
- https://apexscientific.co.za
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Apex Scientific SA is a South African laboratory equipment distributor supplying precision instruments from 18+ international manufacturers to academic, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and clinical research laboratories across South Africa, with five regional offices and full after-sales service.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Apex Scientific SA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Laboratory Equipment Distribution
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (811210)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mass Spectrometry & Spectroscopy Instruments (HLAGAIAB)
Keywords
Where Apex Scientific SA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cornubia, KwaZulu-Natal
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices5 records
Markets served
Apex Scientific SA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Laboratory Equipment Sales: Revenue generated through the sale of laboratory equipment sourced from international manufacturers. Equipment includes analytical instruments, autoclaves, centrifuges, incubators, microscopes, and other essential lab tools. The company acts as a distributor for leading global brands in South Africa.
- Installation and Commissioning Services: After-sales services including equipment installation, commissioning, and on-site technical support. Additional charges apply for specialized installation requirements such as forklift hire, scaffolding, and site preparation.
- Service, Calibration and Re-certification: Ongoing maintenance, calibration, and validation services for laboratory equipment. Service quotes do not include spares and consumables unless otherwise stated.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | Account holder payment terms |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Apex Scientific SA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Apex Scientific is a South African laboratory equipment distributor that sources, supplies, installs, and services precision scientific instruments from more than 18 international manufacturers. The company provides a full portfolio of equipment spanning sample preparation, cell analysis, storage, environmental control, analytical instruments, and general lab tools, complemented by nationwide installation, calibration, and maintenance services across four regional branches.
Product overview
Apex Scientific SA is a South African laboratory equipment supplier and distributor offering a comprehensive portfolio of precision scientific instruments. The company distributes products from leading global manufacturers including Axion Biosystems, Vaisala, Raypa, Antech Scientific, Jeiotech, Labor Security Systems, Wiggens, Biostream, STEMCELL Technologies, Azure Biosystems, CAPP, Allsheng, Optika, Arctiko, Zirbus, Cryste, Being International, Bimos, K-Lab, and others. The product range spans over 35 categories covering sample preparation (centrifuges, homogenizers, micropipettes), cell analysis (automated cell counters, real-time cell analysis, microplate readers), sample storage (refrigerators, freezers, cryogenic systems), laboratory infrastructure (incubators, autoclaves, environmental chambers), analytical instruments (spectrophotometers, PCR systems, imaging), and general lab equipment (shakers, mixers, stirrers, safety cabinets). The company provides comprehensive after-sales support across South Africa with branches in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, and Western Cape.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Homogenizers Sample preparation equipment from Wiggens including handheld homogenizers, high-speed homogenizers, stomacher blenders, and bead homogenizers.
- Bioreactors and Fermenters Benchtop and pilot-scale systems for fermentation, microbial cultivation, cell culture, and bioprocess applications from Biostream, including BioEZ, BioBench, BioBench Twin, and BioCompact models.
- Centrifuges Precision separation equipment from Cryste and Allsheng, including microcentrifuges, multi-purpose centrifuges, and high-speed centrifuges for laboratory workflows.
- Filtration Systems Durable laboratory filtration equipment from Wiggens including filtration sets, vacuum filtration kits, and multi-position filtration manifolds.
- Freeze Dryers Controlled sublimation drying equipment from Zirbus and Antech Scientific, including laboratory, pilot, production, and food freeze dryers such as LyoCubic, LyoPro, VaCo series, and LyoPilot models.
- Cell Culture and Isolation Products Foundational cell culture and isolation tools from STEMCELL Technologies, including AggreWell400 for spheroid formation, EasySep cell isolation kits, cell culture media, cytokines, and dissociation reagents.
- Real-Time Cell Analysis Systems Advanced solutions for continuous, label-free monitoring of cellular activity from Axion Biosystems, including impedance cell analyzers, live cell imaging systems, and micro electrode array analyzers for in vitro biology research.
- Autoclaves and Media Preparators High-pressure steam sterilization equipment and automated culture media preparation systems from Raypa, including benchtop vertical, benchtop front-loading, and vertical autoclaves with 21 CFR Part 11 pharmaceutical compliance options.
- Data Monitoring Solutions (Vaisala viewLinc) Real-time environmental monitoring systems for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical-device applications, including viewLinc Enterprise, viewLinc Cloud, and Jade Smart Cloud platforms ensuring regulatory compliance and data integrity.
- Imaging Systems (Azure Biosystems) Advanced imaging systems from Azure Biosystems for phosphor, in vivo, chemiluminescent, western blot, gel, and tissue imaging including chemiSOLO, Sapphire FL/+, and multi-mode imagers.
- Incubators Environmental control equipment from Wiggens, Jeiotech, and Being International including general incubators, refrigerated/low temperature incubators, shaking incubators, and CO2 incubators.
- Micropipettes (CAPP Ecopipette and Solo) Precision liquid handling instruments from CAPP including single-channel and multi-channel micropipettes in research-grade (Ecopipette) and educational (Solo) variants.
- Microplate Readers and Washers High-throughput screening equipment from Allsheng including filter wheel, multi-mode, fluorescence, and luminescence microplate readers, plus microplate washers.
- Microscopes Precision observation instruments from Optika including upright microscopes, stereo microscopes, inverted microscopes, and digital camera solutions.
- Nucleic Acid Purification Systems (Allsheng Auto-Pure) Automated DNA and RNA extraction systems from Allsheng using magnetic bead technology for consistent purification with reduced manual handling, including Auto-Pure Mini, S32, 24D, and 24/48/96 models.
- Real-Time PCR Systems (Azure Biosystems Cielo) Quantitative PCR platform from Azure Biosystems for precise nucleic acid quantification through sensitive detection, accurate Ct analysis, and reproducible results.
- Refrigerators and Freezers Temperature-controlled storage equipment from Arctiko and Antech Scientific including standard refrigerators, combined refrigerator/freezer units, -25°C to -60°C freezers, ultralow freezers, and -150°C cryogenic freezers.
- Safety Storage Cabinets Hazardous material storage solutions from Labor Security including flammable safety cabinets, chemical/acid/base cabinets, combined units, and gas cylinder cabinets with lifetime guarantee.
- UV-VIS Spectrophotometers (K-Lab) Light absorbance measurement instruments from K-Lab including life science spectrophotometers and molecular spectroscopy systems for analytical applications in food, wine, and oil testing.
- Liquid Nitrogen Storage Systems Cryogenic preservation systems from Antech Scientific for long-term storage of biological samples including sample storage units, dewars, and dry shippers.
- Laboratory Safety Cabinets Controlled workspace equipment from Jeiotech and Being International including biosafety cabinets, PCR workstations, and laminar flow cabinets.
- Vacuum Pumps Vacuum generation equipment from Wiggens including aspirator pumps, oil-free piston pumps, diaphragm vacuum pumps, rotary vane pumps, solvent recovery systems, and laboratory compressed air systems.
- Shakers and Mixers Sample agitation equipment from Wiggens including vortex mixers, orbital shakers, rocking shakers, waving shakers, and specialty shakers.
- Water Baths, Circulators and Chillers Precise temperature control equipment from Jeiotech and Being International including water baths, circulating baths, shaking baths, chillers, and cold traps.
- Environmental Chambers Temperature and humidity controlled chambers from Jeiotech for controlled environmental conditions supporting various scientific and industrial applications.
- Installation and Commissioning Services After-sales services including equipment installation, commissioning, and on-site technical support across South Africa, with additional charges for specialized requirements such as forklift hire, scaffolding, and site preparation.
- Service, Calibration and Re-certification Ongoing maintenance, calibration, and validation services for laboratory equipment across the multi-brand installed base, billed at R650 per technician-hour; spares and consumables quoted separately.
Companies that use Apex Scientific SA
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Apex Scientific SA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Apex Scientific SA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- JeiotechcorePartnership with Jeiotech for environmental chambers, ovens, incubators, and autoclaves designed for various scientific and industrial applications requiring precise temperature and humidity control.
- WiggenscorePartnership with Wiggens for laboratory equipment including homogenizers, filtration systems, hotplates, magnetic stirrers, vacuum pumps, shakers, mixers, colony counters, and dry baths offering durability and chemical resistance.
- Axion BiosystemscorePartnership with Axion Biosystems for real-time cell analysis solutions including impedance cell analyzers, live cell imaging systems, and micro electrode array analyzers for continuous, label-free monitoring of cellular activity in South African laboratories.
- VaisalacorePartnership with Vaisala for data monitoring solutions providing real-time insights and accurate records of environmental conditions in laboratories, supporting pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device research with regulatory compliant systems.
- RaypacorePartnership with Raypa for autoclaves and media preparators engineered with cutting-edge technology and continuous innovation, ensuring exceptional build quality and long-lasting value for laboratory sterilization needs.
- Labor Security SystemscorePartnership with Labor Security Systems for safety storage cabinets including flammable safety cabinets, chemical storage cabinets, and gas cylinder storage cabinets with lifetime guarantee.
- Antech ScientificcorePartnership with Antech Scientific for freeze dryers and liquid nitrogen storage systems designed for efficiency, safety, and durability in cryogenic preservation applications.
- STEMCELL TechnologiescorePartnership with STEMCELL Technologies for cell culture and isolation products including AggreWell400 for spheroid formation, EasySep cell isolation kits, and cell culture media and supplements.
- Azure BiosystemscorePartnership with Azure Biosystems for imaging solutions including chemiluminescent imaging, western blot imaging systems, and Sapphire biomolecular imaging for protein analysis and research applications.
- CAPPcorePartnership with CAPP for micropipettes including Ecopipette and Solo ranges offering variable volume single-channel and multichannel options for precise liquid handling in research and educational laboratories.
- AllshengcorePartnership with Allsheng for centrifuges, microplate readers and washers, and nucleic acid purification systems using magnetic bead extraction technology for automated DNA and RNA extraction.
- Being InternationalcorePartnership with Being International for incubators, environmental chambers, ovens, and water baths providing laboratory equipment solutions at various price points.
- Optika MicroscopescorePartnership with Optika Microscopes for upright microscopes, stereo microscopes, inverted microscopes, and digital microscopy solutions for laboratory observation needs.
- ZirbuscorePartnership with Zirbus for freeze dryers including benchtop, pilot, and production scale models using controlled sublimation techniques for preserving sensitive materials.
- BiostreamcorePartnership with Biostream for laboratory bioreactors, pilot-scale systems, and microbial and cell culture shakers designed with modular philosophy for flexibility and scalability in research applications.
- ArctikocorePartnership with Arctiko for refrigerators and freezers providing consistent temperature control for safe storage of temperature-sensitive samples in laboratory environments.
- CrystecorePartnership with Cryste for centrifuges supporting various laboratory workflows with reliable and consistent separation performance.
- K-LabcorePartnership with K-Lab for UV-VIS spectrophotometers providing precise light absorbance measurements for analytical applications in food, wine, and oil testing.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Apex Scientific SA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Labotec: Long-established South African laboratory equipment supplier distributing analytical instruments, sample preparation, and life-science products to academic, pharmaceutical and industrial customers - a direct competitor to Apex Scientific in the same geographic market.
- Anatech Instruments: South African distributor of laboratory and scientific instruments covering chromatography, spectroscopy and sample preparation. Comparable as a domestic multi-brand distributor serving pharma and research customers.
- Separations Scientific: South African supplier of chromatography, spectroscopy, and general laboratory equipment with installation and after-sales support - directly comparable in product range, customer base and service-led distribution model.
- Chemetrix: South African distributor of analytical and life-science instrumentation, including chromatography, mass spectrometry and laboratory consumables, serving pharma, food and academic laboratories.
- Inqaba Biotechnical Industries: African life-science distributor specialising in molecular biology, genomics and cell-culture reagents and instruments. Overlaps with Apex Scientific in biotech and academic customer segments across Southern Africa.
- Biocom Biotech: South African distributor of molecular biology, cell culture, and laboratory equipment, with a comparable focus on biotech and research customers in the same domestic market.
Broad incumbents
- Merck Life Science South Africa: South African arm of global life-science supplier Merck, selling laboratory products, analytical reagents and instruments directly. Represents an incumbent threat with broader catalogue and direct principal backing.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific South Africa: South African operation of global scientific instruments leader, supplying analytical, life-science and laboratory equipment directly to the same customer segments Apex Scientific serves.
- Eppendorf South Africa: Local presence of global laboratory equipment manufacturer covering pipettes, centrifuges, bioreactors and cell-handling consumables - overlapping product lines to Apex Scientific's CAPP, Cryste/Allsheng and Biostream ranges.
Regional players
- Analytical Solutions: Southern African distributor of analytical laboratory instruments and chromatography solutions, comparable as a regional multi-brand laboratory equipment supplier serving pharma and industrial customers.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Apex Scientific SA social profiles
Digital presenceApex Scientific SA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Apex Scientific SA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Apex Scientific SA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Apex Scientific SA 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 SA
What does Apex Scientific SA do?
Apex Scientific is a South African laboratory equipment distributor that sources, supplies, installs, and services precision scientific instruments from more than 18 international manufacturers. The company provides a full portfolio of equipment spanning sample preparation, cell analysis, storage, environmental control, analytical instruments, and general lab tools, complemented by nationwide installation, calibration, and maintenance services across four regional branches.
Is Apex Scientific SA a public or private company?
Apex Scientific SA is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Apex Scientific SA founded?
Apex Scientific SA was founded in -1.
Where is Apex Scientific SA based?
Apex Scientific SA is headquartered in Cornubia, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does Apex Scientific SA make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Laboratory Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are installation and Commissioning Services and service, Calibration and Re-certification.
Who are Apex Scientific SA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Labotec, Anatech Instruments, Separations Scientific, Chemetrix, Inqaba Biotechnical Industries and Biocom Biotech. Broad incumbents are Merck Life Science South Africa, Thermo Fisher Scientific South Africa and Eppendorf South Africa. Analytical Solutions is listed as a regional player.
Does Apex Scientific SA have an API?
No public API is recorded for Apex Scientific SA.
What industry is Apex Scientific SA in?
Apex Scientific SA's product category is Laboratory Equipment Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAB, Mass Spectrometry & Spectroscopy Instruments. Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 3826.