One last CC: T.ROB
CRS Robotics isn't seeing any spending slowdown, but they aren't much for giving guidance. It is halfway through integrating Robocon, munched last year. Robocon gives it more critical mass and a stronger european presence. They expect another acquisition or major collaboration.
Some of their systems integrate other trickle companies' products. They use Packard liquid handlers in their DNA amplification systems, for example. Lots of Robbins pipettors. They do purification, too. Cell culture, HTS, clinical systems (automated refrigerated storage and retrieval, specimen processing).
They are staffed up in sales (newest reps are just now getting productive), adding headcount to manufacturing. But inventory control and collections have improved, and expects GM steady in the low 50% range. This has also improved thanks to having gone along the learning curve with new manufacturing processes implemented last year. Has protein expression workstations, and has sold to proteomics customers (MDS, Integrative). Can't find anything about those on the website, though.
R&D spending also up a bit. Developing faster motion engine and adding enhancements to Polara software (mostly to help in reporting for FDA, I think, but also in drug discovery in some unspecified fashion).
Also sells components of robots to others. Example, arms to Kuka (spelling? heard of 'em, don't know what they do).
Just getting acquainted with CRS and Bio-Rad. Both seem strong and interesting. Both have rosy outlook right now.
Thoughts on all CC notes and conclusions drawn therefrom are welcome from all TrickleMavens.
Cheers, Tuck |
