# Bio-Rad Laboratories

Bio-Rad Laboratories is an Asset Manager based in Hercules, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Asset Manager
- **Headquarters:** Hercules, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** Hercules, CA, United States
- **Founded:** 1952
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** bio-rad.com

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Bio-Rad is a global leader in developing and manufacturing a wide range of products for the life science research and clinical diagnostic markets.

## Sectors

- Life Sciences
- Clinical Diagnostics

## People

- Norman Schwartz — Chairman, President and CEO

## Questions

### Who runs Bio-Rad Laboratories?

Norman Schwartz serves as Chairman, President, and CEO. He is the son of founders David and Alice Schwartz and has held the top executive role since 2003. The Schwartz family maintains a controlling equity interest through a dual-class stock structure.

### How does Bio-Rad split its business between instruments and consumables?

Bio-Rad primarily operates a razor-and-blade model. Instruments like PCR thermal cyclers and gel electrophoresis systems generate upfront hardware revenue, but the recurring consumables — reagents, assay kits, and quality controls — drive the majority of the top line. Consumables represent roughly 75% of product revenue, providing a recurring base that funds R&D investment.

### What is Bio-Rad's relationship with Sartorius AG?

Bio-Rad held a significant equity stake in Sartorius AG, a German bioprocessing and lab equipment company, for decades. In 2021, Bio-Rad sold approximately $1.2 billion of Sartorius preferred shares, substantially monetizing the position. The remaining holding consists of ordinary Sartorius shares that carry voting rights, reflecting a long-standing, non-operating financial relationship rather than a strategic partnership.

### Does Bio-Rad compete with Thermo Fisher and Danaher?

Yes, in specific product categories. In qPCR instruments, droplet digital PCR, and protein electrophoresis, Bio-Rad competes directly with Thermo Fisher and Danaher's SCIEX and Beckman Coulter subsidiaries. In clinical diagnostics, competition comes from Abbott and Siemens Healthineers. Bio-Rad's narrower focus — it does not sell mass spectrometers or electron microscopes — differentiates it from the fully diversified conglomerates.

### How does the dual-class share structure influence capital allocation at Bio-Rad?

The Schwartz family controls a majority of voting power through Class B shares, which carry 10 votes per share compared to one vote for Class A. This structure allows management to prioritize internal R&D programs and acquisitions over short-term earnings targets. Consequently, Bio-Rad runs an R&D budget exceeding 8% of revenue, well above the public life sciences peer median.

## Related profiles

- [Tidal Cyber](https://altss.com/profile/tidal-cyber)
- [Intermountain Management](https://altss.com/profile/intermountain-ventures)

---

Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/bio-rad-laboratories

Maintained by Altss — https://altss.com — methodology: https://altss.com/methodology