LAB3 sold to VWR International (now part of Avantor)

Lab3 Ltd, a specialist UK laboratory supplies company, offering a total laboratory service and whole-life support solution, has been acquired by VWR International LLC, a global laboratory supply and distribution company, based in Pennsylvania, USA, and now part of Avantor.

At the time of the transaction, Bristol-based Lab3 distributed laboratory consumables, chemicals and equipment. It also provided a range of technical services, including laboratory equipment installation, calibration and repair across the UK, as well as custom labelling and kitting solutions. Lab 3 was an existing distributor of VWR products, also representing several other leading suppliers to laboratories.

When VWR acquired Lab3, it was a global laboratory supply and distribution company serving pharmaceutical, biotech, industrial, educational, and governmental organisations, with worldwide sales in excess of $4.1 billion. In 2017, VWR was acquired by Avantor Inc, a vertically integrated, global supplier of discovery-to-delivery solutions for the global life sciences, advanced technologies and research industries. As at March 2025, Avantor employs more than 14,500 associates and has operations in over 30 countries. In 2019, Avantor was listed on NYSE (AVTR), and in its 2023 annual report, reported revenue in excess of $6.9 billion.