BioEgrGrl

Since 2008 I have ordered consumable lab supplies for long-term durability studies from Qosina. The attention to customer relations goes above and beyond typical good customer services. My sales rep acts as would a friend, ensuring that I have tested a sample of a new product before placing a large order to ensure satisfaction. When switching to a new tubing line, I was provided with a samples of each possible fitting used in the project to ensure that the tubing and fittings would meet my needs and manufacturing requirements. The parts are usually always in stock and ship the same day usually arriving the next day. The one time a part was on back-order I was immediately contacted and offered the opportunity to cancel or change my order with sincere apologies from Qosina. I will continue to be a loyal customer. Some of the Qosina parts I use on a daily basis include tubing and polymer fittings, valves and caps.

Strengths: Consumable lab supplies including tubing, and polymer supplies such as tube fittings, valves and caps. Dedication to customer service and satisfaction. Variety of supplies so that I am able to minimize the number of vendors for specific projects. Items ship out fast on on-time.

Needs to improve: None

Absolute DSI is an excellent resource for edm wire, caps and razor blades. They are also to machine metal stamping that are of high quality at a great price. This is my primary vendor for edm wire due to the quality and quick product turnaround. Absolute DSI always delivers on time and will notify me when similar new products are available. The service rep is friendly and technical support has been knowledgeable over the years. This is a solid company that has supplied these parts to my group for several years.

Strengths: solid supplies of multiple machined components

Needs to improve: None

I have encountered professionalism on every level from Phase 2 Medical Manufacturing, Inc. They were able to take a roughly prototyped product design to a fully designed product with manufacturing considerations through implementation stage. Their knowledgeable product managers were able to guide me through the FDA requirement stages and recommend appropriate testing. I felt that my contact went above and beyond. These are the kind of companies that I most enjoy contracting full service design through. A+

Strengths: Full service project management, knowledge of the product lifecycle, customer service, design experience

Needs to improve: None

I have ordered products for R&D testing and lab supplies from Essentra since they were originally known as Alliance Express. Essentra bought out Alliance Express, but they continue to sell the same trusted lab supplies. During the take-over transition product orders were bumpy, but things are now back on course and I am happy with the consumable lab supplies and rounded cable ties. I am able to order without problems because I've always used the same part numbers, however the website makes it difficult to navigate other parts that may be needed in the future.

Strengths: Variety of Cable Ties including Shapes, Lengths and Uses

Needs to improve: Website product catalog is in excel format (not user friendly)

AdvancedCath makes great catheter components for the medical device industry. During feasibility testing, samples were provided for testing at no cost and the follow-up and customer service was top notch throughout the development process. I moved forward with implementing their catheter components in the device line and am beyond satisfied with the timely delivery and quality of the components.

Strengths: Catheter design, quality control, turnaround

Needs to improve: none

I placed many R&D orders for tubing to use in our cleanrooms. The tubing was robust and sterile. Not one order came with a defected section of tubing and it functioned as it should. I wanted to place a custom order for a different size that we routinely order but it was difficult getting feedback. Not sure if this was a one-time issue or not. I ended up switching vendors because time is money. I wouldn't let that experience turn you off from Flow Components as a vendor. When I used them, they were very reliable with off the shelf products.

Strengths: Quality Tubing, Variety of Tubing

Needs to improve: Customer Service

I have used TA Instruments for all of my DMA (Dynamic Mechanical Analysis) equipment. The sales representatives give demonstrations on site which makes things easier for me, the customer. The software interface is a key feature of the DMAs as is the durability of the equipment. I am able to test a range of materials from soft tissues to polymers. I like the flexibility of the fixtures and the design control settings. Whenever I have a new project, the technical specialists are there to help. The customer service is top notch.

Strengths: DMA equipment, DSC equipment, product durability, customer service

Needs to improve: ability to repair equipment not currently in stock

Haemonetics Corp has provided multiple high quality blood management TEGs for our R&D use. Each piece of equipment is high quality and durable. The sales force was great in that they ensured it would meet our needs via an in-house demonstration prior to purchase. Technical support is also very helpful with application needs or testing set-up. They are great company with quality equipment.

Strengths: TEG equipment, sales service

Needs to improve: None

Technical Services has provided multiple tissues for R&D benchtop testing. The tissues are high quality and procured fresh. They are able to follow about specific protocols for harvesting and are helpful project advisers.

Strengths: Tissue procurement

Needs to improve: cost

I am amazed over and over again with this company. I happened across them by receiving a free plastic design seminar invitation. I visited their headquarters and toured their facility as part of this visit. Every single person I met had a passion for their job. The training was comprehensive and thorough. I spent part of the day in one-on-one discussions with a sales/technical expert. We discussed my application needs and how to best design a mold for my small parts. They were able to assist in the design. They even specialized in the polymer I needed to use and were able to perform cost analysis that saved thousands on the project. They assisted with every aspect from part design to mold design. Over the past few years I have sent several colleagues to them for plastic molding needs. This is a gem of a company and should be experienced. I cannot say enough good things. American Plastic Molding Corp is my first stop for any custom plastic molded parts.

Strengths: Employees, In-house knowledge, Quality Molds, Quality Parts, High Level of Customer Service, Great Follow-up, Meets Deadlines, Problem Solving

Needs to improve: None

I have used Martech for both off the shelf component supply as well as custom molding projects. The sales manager for my region is very helpful and fast to respond to my inquiries. I have worked with the design team to build custom sheaths to fit a dilator. All areas at Martech are professional and knowledgeable. I receive custom products within deadlines and off the shelf parts also arrive expediently.

Strengths: tubing, small plastic parts, variety, custom molded parts

Needs to improve: None

Ace Glass was able to provide a fast quote for a custom glass fixture to be used to hold a specimen for mechanical testing. The quote was provided quickly and was accurate. The glass component took 6 weeks to arrive as quoted but was of very high quality. It was made over 3 years ago and is still in pristine condition. If you need custom glass fixtures, Ace Glass is a good resource.

Strengths: Glass molding, response time

Needs to improve: cost

I have purchased two DSC units from Thermo Fisher over the last 8 years. The first one was to replace a unit that lasted 15 years without problems. Their equipment if very durable. It was unable to be repaired so a new unit was purchased. Due to the demand for this equipment another unit was shortly thereafter purchased. Both units are very durability and function at a high level of precision which my industry demands. I had only 1 negative comment and that is the delivery time requirement for all quotes. I needed an HPLC component quickly that the sales person said was in stock, however the quote said it would be 90 days to delivery. I just couldn't wait 90 days for an in-stock part so I went elsewhere for that order. For long lead times on durability thermo-equipment, Thermo Fisher is my first stop. Good company.

Strengths: DSC equipment, HPLC columns, Product Variety

Needs to improve: Turnaround time

I first contact Filmetrics Application lab for a piece of equipment capable of measuring film thicknesses. I expected to get some generic part numbers and a quote but an application engineer contacted me to learn more about my specific application. He was very knowledgeable and helped me determine exactly what piece of equipment would best fit my lab needs. The equipment worked as described and we are now able to measure very tiny silicone film coating thicknesses on products. I highly recommend this vendor.

Strengths: Thickness Metrology, Customer Service, In-house expertise

Needs to improve: None

I have worked with Molex and their subsidiary Polymicro for years. We purchase all of our optical fiber products from this vendor for inclusion in a product line. I would with them in R&D development testing and their Engineering department could win awards for customer service. They are very helpful and share very detailed information on the test methods so that we can perform internal part inspections in house. They are very open about their processes and have proven to produce quality optical fibers again and again. They are a respectable company with a vast amount of in-house expertise. I would highly recommend them for optical fiber needs.

Strengths: Optical Fibers, Customer Service, Turnaround time

Needs to improve: None

Polymicro is a subsidiary of Molex. We purchase all of our optical fiber products from this vendor for inclusion in a product line. I would with them in R&D development testing and their Engineering department could win awards for customer service. They are very helpful and share very detailed information on the test methods so that we can perform internal part inspections in house. They are very open about their processes and have proven to produce quality optical fibers again and again. They are a respectable company with a vast amount of in-house expertise. I would highly recommend them for optical fiber needs.

Strengths: optical fiber, quality control, turnaround

Needs to improve: Nothing

All of our metal stamping in contracted through Small Parts. I am impressed with the quality of their work and their continued dedication over the years to customer service. In several instances there were questions that they had with the drawings and specifications. They did not hesitate to contact me to make sure the work was performed as requested. This is a very valuable part for a Stamping vendor. A+!

Strengths: stamping, customer service, turnaround

Needs to improve: None

I have ordered thousands of tube fittings from Cole-Parmer. I always receive quality products. They are an excellent vendor of Master-flex tubing and peristaltic pumps as well. They have a wide variety of tubing material and sizes. I like their website in that it is easy to navigate and user friendly. There are a few products that I relied on for monthly that were discontinued abruptly without notice. This was unfortunate, most were sourced from B. Braun and I am still searching for a replacement vendor. All in all I would say a great company with quality parts and a vast selection. They are my go-to for tubing and polypro fittings.

Strengths: wide selection, fast shipment, bulk supplies

Needs to improve: frequent part number changes and discontinuation of key components without offering a replacement.

Medline is a great vendor for containers and medical device supplies. They have a large customer service support team that is also quick to respond to my inquiries. They are at times impersonal, but efficient at their job. I am able to get the containers I need for my lab without a hassle at a great price. They are a solid company to order from.

Strengths: Wide Variety, Product Selection, Quality, Customer Service

Needs to improve: None

I have used Burrell for large fixture machining. The in-house expertise and attention to detail is very good. Their primary focus seems to be on large parts only and they have not had the capabilities to make a few of the smaller parts. I appreciate that they are a veteran-owned business focused on great customer service and quick response times. They are highly recommended for CNC metal machining of large parts, tools and fixtures.

Strengths: Made in the USA, fast responses, large part machining

Needs to improve: small part machining