With two decades of experience, Labbox Group has evolved from a company founded in Mataró into an international supplier of laboratory equipment with a presence in more than 50 markets. Its CEO, Juan Ramón Jiménez, explains the keys to sustained growth, driven by internationalisation, constant transformation and adaptation to a sector undergoing rapid scientific and technological change.
Labbox was founded in Mataró, Barcelona, in 2005 with a clear idea: to offer high-quality laboratory equipment at competitive prices with an agile service. What market need did you identify at the time and what vision drove the company’s creation?
Laboratory supplies are generally marketed as sophisticated, high-value products aimed at niche segments and supported by highly technical, consultative sales approaches. While this is largely true, there are also commodities within this market—less differentiated, almost generic and interchangeable products—where success depends on volume, competitive pricing and fast delivery. Labbox identified an opportunity to supply these general-use laboratory products, focusing on three simple promises: price, delivery time and customer orientation.
Over two decades, the company has grown from an initial catalogue of around 200 references to a portfolio of more than 6,000 laboratory products. What milestones have shaped this growth?
Growth has been steady and continuous, with developments every year, making it difficult to highlight a few specific milestones. However, key moments include the creation of our commercial subsidiaries in France (2009), Italy (2020), Germany (2023) and the Netherlands (2023). Product range expansions—such as reagents (2011), cell culture (2020) and molecular biology (2021)—have also been significant. In addition, we have continuously evolved technologically, implementing new ERP and warehouse management systems and launching our digital transformation project in 2020. Constant change is part of our culture.
Labbox serves a wide range of customers, from research centres to industrial laboratories. How do you adapt your offering?
Rather than focusing on the type of organisation, we focus on purchasing behaviour. While many suppliers target large institutions, Labbox is designed for small and medium-sized laboratories, which we reach directly or through distributors. Our model is built around their needs.
How do you maintain your competitive model in a global market?
By placing price, speed and customer focus at the centre of every decision—from product selection to supplier choice, technology investment and team structure.
What role does international business play today?
Internationalisation is part of our DNA. Nearly half of our sales come from outside Spain, and we continue to expand through subsidiaries and distributors across Europe and beyond.
What trends are transforming the laboratory sector?
Key trends include sustainability pressures, automation, miniaturisation, sensor technology and artificial intelligence, which is reshaping laboratory work and decision-making.
How do you approach sustainability?
We have introduced measures such as reducing plastic in packaging and using renewable energy, and we are currently working towards ISO 14001 certification to improve our environmental performance.
What corporate culture defines Labbox?
We prioritise people, well-being and collaboration, as we believe that a motivated team is essential to delivering value to customers.
What does Expoquimia represent for Labbox?
Expoquimia is a key meeting point to strengthen relationships with our ecosystem. We see it as a space to connect rather than just showcase products, especially in our 20th anniversary year as a Premium Partner.
