BioTek

BioTek Instruments
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryScientific equipment
Founded1968
FounderNorman Alpert
HeadquartersWinooski, Vermont, U.S.[1]
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Briar Alpert, Chairman and CEO
ProductsMicroplate readers and related devices and software
Number of employees
216 (2023) Edit this on Wikidata
ParentAgilent Technologies Edit this on Wikidata
WebsiteBioTek web site

BioTek Instruments was a privately held Vermont–based manufacturer of scientific instruments and associated software used in basic research in the life sciences as well in quality assurance in related industries. The company was founded in 1968 by University of Vermont Medical College physiologist Dr. Norman Alpert and engineer George H. Luhr, who directed the college's instrumentation and model facility.[2] Alpert's son, Briar took over as CEO in 2001.[2] The company manufactures its products at its headquarters in Winooski, Vermont.[1][3] The site was expanded in 2009, and again in 2017.[1] In 2019 Agilent Technologies acquired Biotek for $1.165 billion.[4] [5][6] With the acquisition, Biotek's products will provide research on life science with "cost-effective analysis and qualification" over many different applications.[7]

BioTek Instruments headquarters in Winooski, Vermont, USA.

The company originally manufactured devices used to test and calibrate medical equipment, and in the 1980s started to develop then sell microplate readers; in 2002 the company sold off the testing device business to focus on microplates.[2] By 2013 its lines of business included microplate readers, washers, dispensers and related software, as well as related laboratory automation equipment; it was developing a microscopy line as well.[2] As of 2013 it had around 350 employees, with around 250 in Vermont and the rest in sales in other US states and major markets worldwide.[2]

ELx405 Microplate Washer from BioTek Instruments.
  1. ^ a b c Baird, Joel Banner (July 18, 2016). "BioTek expands its base in Winooski". Burlington Free Press.
  2. ^ a b c d e Simmon, Virginia Lindauer (March 2013). "BioTek, Briar and Adam Alpert". Business People-Vermont.
  3. ^ Kelley, Kevin (January 15, 2010). "BioTek thrives despite industry difficulties". Vermont Business Magazine. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011.
  4. ^ "Agilent Completes Acquisition of BioTek Instruments - Builds on Multi-Year Growth Strategy in Critical Cell Analysis Technology" (Press release). 2019-08-26. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  5. ^ "Agilent Technologies signs agreement to acquire BioTek Instruments". 2019-07-15. Archived from the original on 2020-04-03. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  6. ^ "Winooski-Based BioTek to Sell for Nearly $1.2 Billion". Retrieved 2021-09-07.
  7. ^ "Agilent Technologies to buy BioTek Instruments for £929m". NS Medical Devices. 2019-07-12. Retrieved 2024-03-29.