Sartorius to acquire Biohit’s liquid-handling business

Goettingen, Germany – Laboratory instrument provider Sartorius is acquiring the liquid-handling business of the Finnish laboratory supplier Biohit Oyj. Biohit produces mechanical and electronic pipettes, as well as for the associated consumables. The segment, which employs some 400 people, generated net sales of approximately 38 million euros in 2010. Its major customers are research, quality assurance and academic laboratories as well as hospitals.

Sartorius says the deal will enable it to expand its product portfolio with an important component in the area of laboratory instruments, which currently includes lab balances, lab water purification systems, moisture analyzers and sample preparation consumables.

Welcoming the acquisition, Professor Osmo Suovaniemi, the founder as well as the chairman of the board of Biohit Oyj, said, “We are really happy to have found a buyer in Sartorius whose strategic objective is an excellent fit with our liquid-handling business and who will continue to further develop it on a global basis.”

The acquisition will include Biohit’s production facilities in Finland and China, as well as its sales subsidiaries in eight countries. It is expected to be finalized in December 2011.