When asked what possible advantages Agilent and Varian customers will gain from the acquisition, Matlow said, "The combined company will be able to provide a more comprehensive set of solutions across a wider range of industries. The acquisition broadens applications and solutions offerings for mass spectrometry and chromatography, expands Agilent's product portfolio into atomic and molecular spectroscopy, and establishes a leading position in nuclear magnetic resonance, imaging and vacuum technologies."

....

As a user of both Varian and Agilent instruments, what effect do you expect the acquisition will have on you? Or if you've been through a previous merger of analytical instrument companies, what was the effect, if any? Were there advantages to be had? Were there any disruptions in service, support or purchasing agreements?

Based on your experience, please share with new managers what they should prepare for in the case of the Agilent/Varian merger.

Thanks.

Pam Ahlberg
Editor-in-chief
Lab Manager Magazine
pam@labmanager.com