Now in our 50^th year of business, we continue to build upon our foundation of long-term relationships with both our customers and the manufacturers we represent.

		In the post World War II entrepreneurial era, Laboratory Equipment Company was co-founded in 1948 by J. Karl Kolhede and Albert Schlichtmann, former sales representatives for Braun, Knecht, Heimann, a large laboratory chemical and supply distributor. LEFT: LEC Co-founder J. Karl Kolhede Click image to enlarge.

At the time most domestic laboratory equipment was manufactured in the Eastern United States. Laboratory Equipment Company was founded to provide representation and product support for customers on the West Coast.

In the early days our firm sold a wide variety of items from glassware to microscopes, laboratory casework to balances, but always capital laboratory equipment.

After the passing of Albert Schlichtmann in 1973, J. Karl Kolhede took over sole ownership. In 1974 Laboratory Equipment Company became a second-generation, family business when son Kurt Kolhede joined the firm. A second son, Brent Kolhede, came on board in 1977.

For two decades our customer base was composed primarily of industrial and university research laboratories. Since the advent of biotechnology we have focused exclusively on equipment and instruments. We have grown the business with an eye on enhancing our expertise in the products we offer and on prompt and effective response to customers needs, before, during and after purchase.

As an independent manufacturers representative we literally search the world for new and innovative products. We are a reflection of the global nature of today’s business. Our product line card now includes products manufactured in Canada, France, Japan, Germany and Finland.

Our goal is to find and offer our customers the highest quality and best designed products, with excellent after purchase technical support. The greatest compliment we receive is when our customers look to us an information resource as well as a source of quality laboratory equipment. We pride ourselves on maintaining the personal touch our customers have come to expect.

We appreciate your business and look forward to being of continued service.

Laboratory Equipment Company, serving science since 1948.

Laboratory Equipment Company
2506 Technology Drive
Hayward, CA 94545

510-887-4040
Fax: 510-887-4112

For more information about Labequipco, please email brent@labequipco.com