Agilent Technologies Acquires J&W Scientific

Agilent Technologies Inc. (Palo Alto, CA) announced on March 29 that it will acquire J&W Scientific (Folsom, CA), the world's largest manufacturer and supplier of capillary gas chromatography (GC) columns. J&W develops and markets a broad line of GC columns and consumables, such as flowmeters, syringes, and gas purifiers. The acquisition makes Agilent the world's largest supplier of analytical GC instruments and consumables for the chemical, petrochemical, hydrocarbon processing, and environmental industries. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

"From a modest beginning in a Sacramento garage, J&W Scientific has continually set the industry standard, developing proprietary manufacturing techniques which, when combined with other advances, have made us the world's largest supplier of GC capillary columns and related products," said Walt Jennings, co-founder of J&W Scientific.

According to Jeff White, Agilent's manager of GC consumables and accessories business unit, customers can now turn to a single source for GC products. "This will enable us solve customers' GC problems quickly and efficiently. Agilent is committed to continuing J&W's long tradition of outstanding customer service."

Since 1978, J&W has been at the forefront of gas phase separation science, maintaining a strong R&D effort, rigorous manufacturing standards, and exhaustive product testing. J&W pioneered Durabond, a technique for permanently bonding chemical coatings to the glass column. In addition to its GC column expertise, J&W also manufactures capillary electrophoresis and solid phase extraction products, as well as GC-related flowmeters, syringes, and gas purifiers.

For more information: Doug Forsyth, Agilent, 1601 California Ave., MS 17U-4E, Palo Alto, CA 94301-1111. Tel: 650-857-5603. Fax: 650-857-8228.

Edited by Angelo DePalma