Scientific & Technical Instruments Manufacturing Industry Profile

Companies in this industry manufacture instruments that are used primarily for laboratory analysis of chemical or physical properties. Major companies include Mettler-Toledo International, PerkinElmer, and Thermo Fisher Scientific (all based in the US), along with Eppendorf (Germany), JEOL and Shimadzu (Japan), and Oxford Instruments (the UK).

The global market for scientific instruments is forecast to reach about $45 billion by 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5%, according to 360 Industry Insights. Top consumer countries include the US, China, Russia, Germany, and Japan.

The US scientific and technical instruments manufacturing industry includes about 700 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $15 billion.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by spending on laboratory analysis services, scientific research, and other end-user markets. The profitability of individual companies depends on controlling manufacturing costs and maintaining continuous, rapid product innovation cycles. Large companies enjoy economies of scale in sourcing material components and product distribution. Small companies can compete by specializing in instruments for niche markets or by developing a reputation for high-quality products. The US industry is highly concentrated: the largest 50 companies account for about 80% of revenue.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major products of scientific and technical instruments manufacturers include analytical and scientific instruments, which account for about 90% of the industry's revenue. Other products include chromatographic instruments, chemistry laboratory instrumentation, parts and components, and thermal analysis instruments. Companies ...