AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES TO TRANSFER ITS PACKED GC COLUMNS SALES TO SUPELCO

15-11-2001: Agilent Technologies Inc. and Sigma-Aldrich Company today announced an agreement that will transfer sales of Agilent’s packed GC (gas chromatography) columns to Supelco, a division of Sigma-Aldrich. To ensure that the supply to Agilent’s customers is continued, Supelco will supply its own packed GC columns directly to Agilent customers and to Agilent for its own internal requirements. Agilent will continue to sell its other GC products, services and consumables through its established global supply chains.

A mature technology and consolidation in the industry has prompted Agilent’s decision to cease the manufacture of packed GC columns. In choosing Supelco as the preferred supplier, Agilent believes that the decision will have the least impact on customers while at the same time giving them access to a more comprehensive range of packed GC column solutions. This decision enables Agilent to put more focus on developing capillary column applications.

“Supelco is excited about being selected as Agilent’s authorized supplier of packed GC columns,” said Mark Robillard, vice president of Supelco’s Gas Separations Business Unit. “Supelco is dedicated to the highest level of quality and customer service. We are confident that we can meet the needs of Agilent’s customers for an uninterrupted supply of high-quality products through the Sigma-Aldrich worldwide distribution network”. “Supelco is the logical choice to supply these columns for Agilent,” said Phil Stremple, GC column marketing manager for Agilent. “We remain committed, through Supelco, to providing a continuing and reliable source of high-quality packed columns for both our existing and future customers. Choosing Supelco provides the combination of experience, quality focus, manufacturing capabilities and worldwide support willingness we sought to meet the needs of our customers.”