Founded in 1999, North Wales manufacturer Bee Robotics has made a name for itself as a global leader in the field of advanced liquid handling solutions for laboratory automation.

Based in Caernarfon, the company designs and manufactures bespoke robotic instruments that analyse and process liquid samples in the biotech industry. Its products have applications in the fields of allergy and tuberculosis testing, DNA analysis, HIV, HPV and more.  

Focus on exports

Exporting has been at the heart of Bee Robotics’ expansion strategy since the company was founded. Today, exports account for 95% of its trade, equating to £1.1m in turnover, with Germany leading the charge alongside other key markets in Europe, Asia, the US and, most recently, the Middle East.

New entry to Middle East market

The company has now entered the Middle East market for the first time after appointing a new distributor, having received support from the Welsh Government to develop its exports. The deal with a leading biotech firm in Riyadh will see Bee Robotics’ automated instruments distributed to private laboratories across the Middle East to be used in the automation of allergy testing.

Given the Middle Eastern and African allergy markets are estimated to reach $500 million by 2030, due to the increasing prevalence of allergies in the regions and subsequent need for quicker testing solutions, Bee Robotics has set its sights on increasing exports to the Middle East as a route to achieving business growth.

Attending overseas events key to success

The partnership came after Bee Robotics met with representatives from the region at MEDICA, one of the world’s largest medical trade exhibitions in Germany, which it has attended annually over a number years, with Welsh Government support.

Attending trade missions and exhibitions, such as MEDICA, has played a key role in Bee Robotics’ export success, providing it with crucial exposure to potential international partners and directly leading to new business.

Alongside targeting the Middle East, Bee Robotics also intends to continue building on its existing foothold in Germany, one of its primary markets. The firm already has a longstanding partnership with Bruker, a world-leading manufacturer of high-performance scientific instruments and diagnostic solutions, supplying it with products for use in TB and mycobacteria testing. Bee Robotics also provides contract manufacturing and refurbishment services.  

Welsh Government support

A grant from the Welsh Government through the SMART Flexible Innovation Support scheme is also currently supporting Bee Robotics to develop a bespoke new instrument for a leading German diagnostic kits supplier. The instruments, which will support the automation of novel DNA extraction methods and help with the detection of mutations, autoantibodies and antibodies in DNA, supplied to laboratories across Germany and other European countries including Italy, France and Spain, with plans to expand to Asia and other regions in the future.  

Steve Jones, managing director at Bee Robotics said: 

“Expanding into the Middle East is an exciting development for us. The growing demand for allergy testing in the region presents a huge opportunity, and our products are well-suited to meet the needs of advanced testing solutions. Attending MEDICA has always been instrumental in helping us connect with new international clients, and we’re thrilled to see that our presence at the show has now led to success in the Middle East.”

Steve added: “The advice and financial assistance we have had from the Welsh Government has been invaluable to our company growth. Our relationship with them has spanned over two decades, and they have helped us get in front of our target customers and markets. For any business thinking about exporting, my advice would be to attend industry-relevant exhibitions abroad. It’s one of the best ways to make contacts and open doors to international markets.”

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