Thermo Fisher, Gerresheimer Form Glass Labware Venture

Thermo Fisher Scientific has signed a joint venture agreement with the Gerresheimer Group to create a business that manufactures disposable and reusable glass labware for scientific labs. Gerresheimer is a global supplier of specialty glass and plastic devices for life sciences markets. The new business, called Kimble/Chase Life Scienceware, LLC, will be based in NJ, with additional operations in the U.S., Germany, Mexico and China. The closing of the joint venture is subject to customary closing conditions and applicable regulatory approvals.

Under the agreement, Thermo Fisher will own 49% of the joint venture, contributing its Chase Scientific, Scherf and Pfeiffer glassware lines manufactured in the U.S. and Germany. Gerresheimer will own 51% and contribute its life science research products including certain Kimble, Kontes and Bomex brands manufactured in the U.S., Mexico and China. Combined, these products generated sales of approximately $123 million in 2006. The agreement expands an existing sales and marketing joint venture that was established in 2001.

“This joint venture will reshape the glass consumables marketplace,” said Guy Broadbent, senior vice president and president of laboratory products for Thermo Fisher Scientific. “The combination of well-known glass labware brands from Thermo Fisher and Gerresheimer will form a leading supplier with an extensive product portfolio and a global footprint. With its significant production capabilities in China, the new business will be able to more effectively deliver its products to customers in that growing market as well as other parts of the world.”

Dr. Axel Herberg, president and chief executive officer of the Gerresheimer Group, said, “This combination of mutual strengths marks an important step in the logical expansion of our businesses in the highly specialized pharma and life science markets. Through the formation of this joint venture, we will gain new dynamism in an important market segment of life science research.”