3 Areas Testing Companies are Focusing on in 2024-25

Westlab works closely with analytical and testing laboratories across the country and is exponentially growing our collaborations, regardless of the testing field they specialise in.

Bringing the benefits of transparent collaborations and sheer determination to our customers, we share some of the learnings and trends we have observed over the past 24 months during times of growth.

1. Sustainability

Sustainability is no longer an industry buzzword; it has become a key compliance metric for new laboratories. Clients, regulators and even investors are demanding that labs reduce their environmental footprint.

What can you do?

• Use plasticware that is easily recyclable. Polypropylene lids are easier to recycle than standard polyethylene lids and don't need to be separated for proper disposal.
• Use goods from manufacturers who hold ISO14001 certification (environmental management).
• Invest in green energy sources, particularly solar panels where possible. This will help reduce overhead costs for daily laboratory operations as well.

What has Westlab done?

• CSR strategy: Westlab is implementing a new Corporate Social Responsibility strategy focusing on 4 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Co-creation: Working with customers, we have co-created products such as polypropylene lids for existing items to ease recycling.
• Sustainable packaging: Westlab has switched to recycled paper void fill for our boxes, replacing plastic fill.

2. Strategic Corporate Partnerships

• Major companies in the CIT industry are increasingly collaborating with suppliers who have the supply chain and logistics connections to provide a more secure and reliable supply chain.
• We're witnessing a paradigm shift where procurement and operations teams are taking a much more collaborative approach with vendors. Instead of large vendors stocking tens of thousands of SKUs in bulk and freely offering them to the wider market, corporate teams are working with those that have the capability to source, manufacture, and supply products that may be unique to that customer, in volume.
• Companies in the CIT field are consolidating with preferred suppliers to achieve economies of scale and utilise the large logistics networks already set up by these suppliers.

3. Competition Driving Faster Development and More Flexibility

It's undisputed that this industry is becoming increasingly competitive, particularly among the key major laboratory companies.

• Flexible furniture: In the projects Westlab has completed for analytical and testing companies, flexibility in joinery and the ability to change layout depending on future developments has been a high priority.
• Development: Competition calls for increased development to keep up with or outperform rivals. Thanks to flexible labs, new equipment can be quickly installed and new processes enabled.
• Efficiency: Competition is continually driving efficiency, which in turn drives innovation from vendors. Thinking outside the box on how to complete a process with fewer resources can save more money and time than you might think. Our clients are examining smaller processes which may remove the need for just one single step, in some cases saving up to 40% in consumables costs for that particular process.
• Consolidation: Companies are consolidating facilities to create superlabs which serve as central hubs to service regions. As is typical for the sector, with many acquisitions come many facilities to maintain, which can quickly become expensive with additional sample transport, certifications, accreditations, and power consumption. Consolidation addresses many of these issues and creates much more flexibility in testing options for clients.

2025 and Beyond

As long as people are living, breathing, working, eating and drinking, the Analytical & Testing industry will continue to thrive.

Emerging from the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and amidst soaring inflation and global geopolitical crises, the industry's main focus is staying ahead of competition whilst keeping costs under control.

Despite these pressures, significant investment is taking place, particularly in new laboratory complexes. Westlab is pleased to be supporting many of these projects and assisting clients in consolidating sites into modern superlabs. These are driving down the cost of testing and allowing for much better service, testing options and customer confidence.

Speak to Westlab today to get in touch with one of our consultants and explore the opportunities we can provide with our 360° laboratory offering: furnishing, equipping and supplying your laboratory.