Bio-Rad sales boom

Bio-Rad Laboratories has announced booming first-quarter sales in 2008.

The multinational manufacturer and distributor of life-science research and clinical diagnostic products enjoyed revenues of $422.2 million (£212 million) during the first three months of this year.

According to the firm, the figure was 30.9 per cent up on the same period last year and on a currency-neutral basis increased by nearly one-quarter (23.9 per cent) from the first quarter of 2007.

Norman Schwartz, the firm’s president and chief executive officer, said the figures reflected its continued strength in many product areas.

"As the year progresses, we will continue to focus on the integration of DiaMed and expect to begin realising the full potential of the combined businesses in the next several quarters," he added.

This year the company intends to explore new opportunities to further develop the business and "improve operational efficiencies", Mr Schwartz revealed in February.

Founded in 1952, the firm claims to have played a leading role in the advancement of scientific discovery for more than 50 years.