Is your Laboratory Sourcing based on price or quality?
Each year the scientific community invests significant resources in new solutions designed to improve analytical results. Detection sensitivity is enhanced and automation capabilities are increased. However, one important part of the analysis has remained unchanged throughout the years: scientists are seeking reproducible results.
Let’s talk about DCTs
A compelling question is raised: Is the quality of disposable culture tubes important to the analytical result?
When asked, scientists feel the quality of the DCTs used to collect, store, transport, and transfer samples are important to analytical results. However, global sourcing has created inexpensive supply alternatives that reduce cost while also reducing quality thus jeopardizing the accuracy of results.
Investment
In the continual battle over price vs. quality, there is the overarching responsibility of Management to include an assessment of risk analysis. The investment of a scientist’s time to cycle through “wash, rinse, and repeat” is not the only consideration. Safety and Liability is a higher concern. Let’s face it – workplace injuries and mishaps will happen. However, I think we can all agree that preventable product failures are unacceptable. In an independent study, labs have reported batches of DCTs that are prone to fracture and breakage. Don’t go for the cheap stuff, it’s easy enough to see that is important. Even if your source is reliable, what can you do if your source changes their supplier to a lower cost alternative to maximize income? Just remind your boss – you get what “they” pay for. Check the source before you commit to a reorder. Chances are, they will be willing to supply you with a high quality product if that’s what it takes to make a sale.
Standards and Quality
Every industry is expected to continually improve quality standards. Accepted quality standards for laboratory glass are established regionally, and the worldwide standards organization is ASTM International. When purchasing DCTs, or any laboratory glassware, you really need to be certain you are getting the quality that meets the standards. Kimble manufactures over 3 million DCTs each day in ISO 9001:2008 certified manufacturing facilities. The plants have a defined process for producing DCTs in compliance with global quality standards for borosilicate glass. Direct production controls, from raw material to final product, ensure time-honored consistency of product with strict dimensional tolerances. Confidently maintain your product quality and purity by sourcing from a known and reputable laboratory glassware manufacturer. You’re worth the investment!
Stay tuned for my next blog, “What do source materials have to do with laboratory sourcing?” for a deeper discussion of purity and particulates and what this means for your results.