Brooks Automation Acquires FluidX, a Leading Provider of Consumables and Instruments Used for Biological Sample Storage

Brooks Automation, Inc. announced today that it has acquired FluidX Ltd. FluidX, headquartered near Manchester, England, is a provider of biological sample storage tubes and complementary bench-top instruments. The company was acquired for a cash payment equal to approximately $16 million.

"FluidX is an important building block for Brooks Life Science Systems, bringing state of the art biological sample storage consumables into our portfolio. Our existing consumables primarily address compound samples, and this acquisition brings us the latest designs in biological sample consumables," stated Steve Schwartz, CEO of Brooks. "Today we have extended our reach and leadership in the value chain advancing the integrity of our customers' samples."

Dr. Schwartz continued, "We have known FluidX as an innovative provider of consumables for bio sample storage since we entered this space in 2011 and are pleased to have them as part of our team. Their offerings can be found inside many of the bio-stores around the world and provide Brooks with the opportunity to offer a complete bio-store solution."

Welcoming the acquisition, Robert Moore, Director of FluidX, said, "Brooks is well known as the leading provider of automated storage systems globally and as the innovator in the industry. This combination positions Brooks and FluidX to maximize the opportunities for our sample storage consumables, 2D readers, and capping and sealing instruments. It is a great step for us in keeping innovation as a priority while enabling enhanced growth of our offerings."

Lindon Robertson, Chief Financial Officer of Brooks, commented, "This transaction is another strategic step in the expansion of our life sciences business, supporting our path for continued growth and margin expansion. FluidX achieved approximately $10 million in sales in calendar year 2013 and we see broad opportunity for growth in this line of solutions. The transaction is expected to be accretive in fiscal 2015 on a non-GAAP basis and supports our current gross margin expectations in life sciences."