Laboratory Automation Solutions for New England's Life Sciences Industry
The demand for laboratory automation has grown significantly across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostic, and research sectors. Engineers and operations teams responsible for laboratory instrumentation and automated lab equipment face a consistent challenge: finding a manufacturing and engineering partner who understands both the precision requirements of a laboratory environment and the practical demands of getting reliable systems built on time. Pearse Bertram has served this industry for more than 70 years, delivering laboratory automation solutions that support everything from fluid handling assemblies to custom control panels for complex analytical instruments.
Our work spans both sides of the lab automation equation. As a contract manufacturer, we build the custom assemblies and automated systems that go inside laboratory instruments. As an authorized industrial distributor carrying more than 100 component brands, including status as the number one SMC distributor in New England, we also supply the pneumatic, hydraulic, and electronic components that laboratory OEMs and integrators depend on. This combination means our engineers can help you at the design stage, the build stage, or anywhere in between.
What Laboratory Automation Means for Our Customers
Laboratory automation covers a broad range of applications. Some of our customers are OEMs designing the next generation of diagnostic analyzers, liquid handling systems, or bioreactor platforms. Others are pharmaceutical or biotech manufacturers who need automated systems that support their internal lab workflows and meet FDA or ISO compliance requirements. In both cases, the underlying need is the same: precise, repeatable performance in an environment where quality and documentation are non-negotiable.
Our engineering team works with customers at both the component selection and system integration levels. We understand that lab environments carry unique constraints, including contamination sensitivity, cleanroom compatibility requirements, space limitations, and the need for low-particulate or inert materials in fluid paths. These are factors our engineers account for from the first conversation, not as an afterthought.
Contract Manufacturing Capabilities for Laboratory Automation Systems
Pearse Bertram's contract manufacturing capabilities are well suited to the precision assembly and system integration work that laboratory automation demands. Our ISO 9001:2015 certified quality system ensures that each project follows documented processes, with traceability and inspection standards appropriate for regulated industries. Our UL 508A certified shop supports the electrical control panel builds that many laboratory instruments and automation systems require.
Specific capabilities relevant to laboratory automation projects include:
Our sub-0.5% return rate and 95% customer retention reflect the build quality and engineering judgment that laboratory OEMs and integrators need in a long-term manufacturing partner. When you are designing a system intended to run reliably in a clinical, pharmaceutical, or research setting, those numbers matter.
Ask an Expert
Have a laboratory automation project that needs an engineering perspective? Our team is ready to help you work through the details, from component selection to full system builds.
Component Supply for Laboratory Automation Engineers
Many of the engineers we work with in the laboratory automation space are sourcing components for instruments or systems they are building internally. As the number one SMC distributor in New England, Pearse Bertram carries an extensive catalog of pneumatic components well suited to laboratory automation applications. SMC's clean room-rated pneumatic products, including clean series cylinders, low-particulate fittings, and specialty tubing, are widely used in liquid handling systems, diagnostic analyzers, and other automated lab instruments.
Beyond pneumatics, our approximately $3.5 million in stocked inventory spans the component categories laboratory automation engineers frequently need, including:
Our stocking and fulfillment program offers an additional advantage for laboratory OEMs managing complex supply chains. We can hold inventory on your behalf, reducing lead time risk and simplifying procurement for programs with ongoing production volumes.
Engineering Support Tailored to Laboratory Applications
Pearse Bertram's approach is engineers-first. When a laboratory automation engineer brings a project to us, they are working directly with technical staff who understand fluid mechanics, electrical control, and the constraints of building equipment for regulated environments. We do not route every inquiry through a sales layer before it reaches someone who can actually answer the question.
The engineering support we provide across laboratory automation projects includes machine design assistance for customers developing new automated instruments, value engineering reviews to identify component substitutions that reduce cost without sacrificing performance, application support for SMC and other partner products used in lab environments, and integration and programming support for automated control systems.
Our product selection support capability is particularly relevant for laboratory automation projects where material compatibility, cleanroom ratings, or regulatory compliance documentation requirements must be carefully matched to the component choice. Our team can evaluate options across multiple brands and present the appropriate solution for your specific application.
Quality, Compliance, and Documentation
Laboratory automation projects in pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and biotech environments often require documentation that supports quality system requirements, including traceability records, material certifications, and test reports. Our ISO 9001:2015 quality management system provides the foundation for this documentation. We maintain clear records throughout the manufacturing process and can provide supporting documentation appropriate to your project scope and regulatory context.
Our UL 508A certification covers the electrical control panel fabrication work that frequently accompanies larger laboratory automation system builds. For customers who need to demonstrate that electrical systems within their instruments meet recognized safety standards, our certified shop provides that assurance without requiring you to seek a separate panel builder.
Request a Quote
Ready to move forward on a laboratory automation assembly, component order, or turnkey build? Submit your requirements and our team will respond with a detailed quote.
