60 stories for 60 years

The beginnings of INFORS HT sound like a model start-up success story: Although Alexander Hawrylenko founds his first company not in a garage, but in a tiny empty kiosk in Basel’s Bachletten district. His next stop is a bicycle cellar just around the corner, near St. Paul’s Church, now already with two employees. As the company grows, INFORS HT moves to Hofstetten into an old industrial building. Here, however, it is very difficult to find suitable employees, since for most of them, the farming village on the plateau is too far away from the amenities in Basel. Another move, near to the city again, this time to Binningen into a detached house that is quickly converted into a production site. Before definitively settling in Bottmingen, Infors HT has changed its location altogether six times. 

During a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT), the customer expressed serious concerns late in the evening after a joint dinner — casting doubt on whether the test could continue. This feedback was shared just before midnight, on the "Mittlere Brücke" in the middle of Basel. That very same night, the INFORS team took immediate action: production was informed without delay, and by the next morning, the requested adjustments had already been implemented — precisely in line with the customer’s expectations. When the FAT resumed the following day, the customer was visibly impressed by the speed and precision of the response. What initially seemed like a potential escalation turned into a powerful moment of trust and a clear example of INFORS HT’s commitment to true partnership and customer-centric action.

- Stefan Saal | Technical Sales Support, INFORS HT, AG

In 1991, INFORS HT revolutionized the industry with the invention of the Multitron incubator shaker, introducing the concept of the stackable shaker. Just a few years later, on a service visit to a customer, I saw this innovation first-hand—a double stack of Multitron 1 incubator shakers in an equipment room. It was immediately clear how this ground-breaking design allowed researchers to reclaim valuable lab space, eliminating the need for entire dedicated shaker rooms. The impact was undeniable—Multitron had sparked a revolution in the industry, quickly becoming the gold standard for incubator shakers worldwide.

- Gary Tompkins | VP of Engineering, INFORS HT, USA

While visiting a customer in Turkey, we encountered an issue where the gassing in their bioreactor intermittently stopped, raising concerns about a potential problem with the Labfors bioreactor. Despite several checks during the day, we couldn’t replicate the issue. Later that evening, the customer noticed through eve that the gassing had stopped again—so we immediately drove to the lab that night to investigate further. After some hands-on troubleshooting, we discovered the root cause: the gas supply was being unintentionally shut off during off-hours . Working together, we resolved the issue quickly and ensured uninterrupted operation going forward.

- Lea Wagner | Product Manager, INFORS HT, AG

In 2005 when the Genome and Vaccine Institute was set up, we received the order against all odds, being a lesser-known company then. The project went on to be an immense success. It paved the way for the first ever international hands-on expression systems workshop. INFORS HT and the people involved have one heart and it is passion that drives us.  It serves as testament to our willingness to go far and beyond. That has left an impression with the customer that is hard to beat.

- Shaman Gaspar | Head of INFORS HT, South East Asia

In a multi-tenant building with over 200 businesses, a customer reported low CO₂ readings on several Multitron incubator shakers. I found no issues with the equipment and traced the problem to a leak in the shared CO₂ supply room. While disconnecting the supply without closing the valve, the customer accidentally triggered a CO₂ alarm, leading to a full building evacuation. The issue was resolved quickly, and the customer was satisfied with the outcome.

- Brian LaPietra | Regional Sales Director, INFORS HT, USA

Already in the early 1980s, INFORS HT was thriving on innovation and customer proximity. The company had built a solid reputation thanks to its tailor-made bioreactors and shakers, totalling approximately 12 products, all assembled at its headquarters in Bottmingen, with the largest and most dynamic market being in Germany. 

To manage sales across the border, INFORS HT had partnered with a Germany-based distributor, selling under their brand name. Alexander Hawrylenko understood the importance of building the INFORS HT brand and decided to end the distributor relationship and took a bold step forward. In 1983, he founded INFORS GmbH, the German subsidiary, to take control of the company’s presence in its most important market at this time. It wasn’t just a business move—it was a statement. INFORS HT was committed to staying independent, customer-focused, and true to its identity.

- Laurent Gutzwiller | Head of Internal Trainings, Retired, INFORS HT, AG

In 1980, INFORS AG settled into its new home at Rittergasse 27 in Bottmingen. The company was growing fast, and it soon became clear that expansion to the building across the street was needed. Expansion plans were shared with staff, and just a few days later, a team member jokingly suggested,  “Why don’t we just build a bridge between the two buildings?”

While others chuckled, our founder, Alexander Hawrylenko didn’t. He saw efficiency. He saw possibility. Most of all, he saw a shortcut to save time walking across the street in the rain. Within days, Alex was already sketching out ideas for a Passerelle over a public road, which was a first for Bottmingen. Of course, the local authorities were not amused. Permits? Road rights? Historic preservation? Bureaucracy said “No.” But Alex wasn’t the kind of man to take “no” from someone with a rubber stamp.

He negotiated, explained, re-explained, charmed, and insisted (probably all in one conversation). After weeks of persistence, the Bottmingen council gave approval, likely realizing, “If we don’t approve this bridge, he’ll just build it anyway.” And so it happened: the first-ever Passerelle over a public road in Bottmingen was built. To top it off, INFORS HT even installed a pneumatic tube system discreetly under the Passerelle floor, allowing messages and small items to fly between departments in seconds: Efficiency at its Swiss finest. The result? Faster communication, stronger collaboration, and a daily reminder that at INFORS HT, no idea is too crazy.. if it works.

A few years ago, a customer had a Multitron incubator shaker in the lab that was causing problems, while I was on vacation. Despite being out of office, I organized spare parts via email and discussed potential solutions. Immediately after the vacation, I drove to the customer with all the parts and was able to solve the problem immediately. To this day, our customer still relates fast and smooth service to INFORS HT.

- Falk Hagemann | Sales Technician, INFORS HT, Germany

The ACHEMA event has always been the place where INFORS HT turned heads. Customers and competitors alike would flock to our booth, not just to see what was new, but to see what was unexpected. And sometime between 1994 and 2006, they were greeted by something no one saw coming: a Techfors bioreactor with a built-in beer tap. It was bold.. it was bizarre.. and it was a hit! People lined up not just to ask about the latest features, but to see if they could pour themselves a cold one straight from the bioreactor. The reactions? Laughter, amazement, and lots of selfies.

But the story doesn’t end at the booth. We had brought the beer with us from Switzerland, and that created an unexpected challenge at the border. The customs officials were puzzled. They asked, “You’re importing beer… inside a lab device?" Let’s just say the declaration process was almost as complex as the Techfors control system. The beer tap might not have made it into the final product catalog, but it made a clear statement: INFORS HT is innovative, a little unconventional, and never afraid to have fun along the way.

Sometimes the best partnerships grow from challenge, and that was exactly the case with Dr. Jacques Winter, a pioneering microbiologist and one of INFORS HT’s most important early customers in France. Dr. Winter was known for being avant-garde, sharp-minded, and demanding (in the best way). When he began working with our first-generation Techfors bioreactors and the early software platform, the collaboration quickly turned into something more than a customer-supplier relationship. Together, we refined, improved, and shaped the software to meet real lab needs. It was a partnership based on mutual respect, shared expertise, and a common goal.

As the trust between INFORS HT and Dr. Winter deepened, the next step became clear: In 2002, we officially appointed Dr. Winter as the director of INFORS SARL. Today, Dr. Winter is enjoying his well-earned retirement, having passed the torch to his talented protégé, Fabien Wattré, who continues to lead INFORS France with the same passion and precision. This story is a reminder of what defines INFORS HT—not just technology, but relationships that grow into leadership, and collaboration that builds legacies.

From humble beginnings to a trusted partner: Founded in 1986, INFORS UK began in a modest office in Crewe, transforming over time into a key player in the British biotech landscape. From early fermenter sales to major collaborations with institutions like GSK, the UK team has combined Swiss precision with British spirit. Their story is one of growth, dedication, and unwavering commitment to customers—truly a cornerstone in INFORS' global success.

A 5PM Friday call from a Pharma company in North Chicago during the early weeks of COVID resulted in a late night emergency service visit to replace a drive belt on a Multitron incubator shaker. During the next few months of COVID this customer knew they could count on INFORS HT shakers and our service and support. We updated and installed eight new stacks of shakers over the next several months to help them to increase their R&D capacity and meet the growing needs of COVID testing products.    

- Lucas Schimmelpfenning | Regional Sales Director, INFORS HT, USA

Around 2006, INFORS HT was having distribution challenges in the Benelux region and decided to end their existing contract. But when one door closes, a new one opens. An employee from the former distributor saw potential and reached out to the Hawrylenko family with a proposal: “Let’s start fresh with a new, dedicated INFORS HT subsidiary for the Benelux region.” The timing was right, and the vision aligned.

In 2007, INFORS Benelux was officially founded, turning a business problem into a launching pad for stronger, direct relationships across The Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Sometimes, a setback is just the beginning of a smarter path forward.

By the early 2000s, INFORS HT products had become a standout in the North American life sciences market. For years, the company’s presence in the U.S. was managed through a predecessor organization that sold a variety of laboratory equipment, but INFORS HT products quickly emerged as the most valued by customers, making up the majority of sales in the region by 2005. In 2014, INFORS HT officially opened its own U.S. subsidiary, INFORS HT, USA Inc., in Maryland, bringing most of the former organization into the fold and setting the stage for focused growth in one of the world’s most important biotechnology markets.

Since then, the subsidiary has more than tripled in size and added localized manufacturing and assembly in Maryland. This capability allows for faster delivery, responsive service, and a continued commitment to American customers. Today, INFORS HT, USA supports both emerging biotech companies and major industry leaders. The Maryland INFORS HT team has grown into a trusted partner for scientists working to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Our founder, Alexander Hawrylenko believes success needs strong partners. At INFORS HT, innovation, expertise, and quality have always been key, but it is partnerships that turned those strengths into sustainable, real-world impact that could scale.

A few great example comes to mind:

• In the U.S., our trusted partner ATR helped us enter the market and eventually co-produced the Multitron locally, laying the groundwork for what became the INFORS HT, USA subsidiary.
• In Switzerland, we teamed up with Madep, a local startup to create a solid-state fermenter, used in soil remediation.
• In France, 3C brought industrial-scale fermentor experience to complement our bench-scale bioreactor systems
• Alpfors and Microphyt joined forces with us on cutting-edge biotech applications

Behind the scenes, strong relationships with suppliers ensured consistent quality. And in the field, close contact with our resellers created a worldwide network built on trust.

At INFORS HT, innovation doesn’t stop at the products we sell, it extends deep into how we work every day. From engineering to assembly, from trade shows to service, our teams have always built smart, practical tools to make their own jobs easier, faster, and better. The very first internal tool we ever developed was a small press to stamp volume markings onto the clamp discs used for Erlenmeyer flasks. It might not sound glamorous, but it saved time, improved accuracy, and kept things consistent on the shop floor.

Later came a custom-built rotating display table to exhibit our large stirrer at trade shows. Without it, moving and showcasing such a heavy piece of equipment would’ve been a nightmare. With it, it became a centerpiece. For production, we developed a Multitron housing support system that makes machine assembly much easier and more ergonomic for the team. It’s in use every day in the Multitron workshop and it’s made a real difference in comfort and efficiency. In the service department we created a stacking and support system that allows technicians to access the bottom of a Multitron unit for maintenance without needing to unstack everything. It’s smart, safe, and seriously timesaving. 

These are not customer-facing innovations. They’re team-powered solutions, built by people who understand the process inside out. Because at INFORS HT, we don’t just invent for the market, we invent for ourselves, too. And that’s what true innovation looks like: not just visionary ideas, but hands-on practicality, every step of the way.

- Laurent Gutzwiller | Head of Internal Trainings, Retired, INFORS HT, AG

I remember that 36 years ago I was still studying in high school when we started Biogen and begun distributing INFORS HT products. Those were tough times and sometimes I helped my father to deliver the instruments. One of the times we went to take an Aerotron to the Complutense University of Madrid. We were walking down the corridors with the Aerotron placed on a small cart, and the students would turn to look at it and some would point to it and say... "look R2D2" (the little android from Star Wars), this happened more than one time. 

We were so successful with the Aerotron and its brother the Aquatron that, when they were discontinued, we bought all of the remaining inventory. Recently, we found an Aerotron still working in a research center and the person in charge told us that it was the best incubator shaker he had ever bought.

- Rafael Trujillo | Sales Director, Biogen Cientifica SL

Every three years, while all eyes in bioprocessing turn to ACHEMA, in 2006, INFORS HT decided to do something different to not just inspire or impress, but to surprise the audience. Instead of simply presenting the latest product, the team unveiled a bold “Design Concept”: a fully functional prototype of an incubator shaker that wasn’t for sale. It was built purely to show what was possible. The concept was interactive and futuristic, designed to delight the audience. When visitors pressed a button, the shaker platform stopped. The front door opened automatically. A tray with flasks slid out smoothly. Visitors could handle the flasks, explore, engage. The tray slid back in. The door closed. The shaker resumed operation. 

It was fluid, elegant, and unlike anything else at the event. Just like concept cars in the automotive world, this wasn’t meant to go into mass production. It was built to push boundaries and demonstrate what INFORS HT was capable of when imagination met engineering. 

Today, launching a concept like this without a business case might be hard to justify, but in 2006, it was a daring celebration of innovation. And a clear message: At INFORS HT, we don’t just follow trends. We create them.

In 2022, we made a big move: INFORS opened its own office in Switzerland! Sure, our equipment was already made here, but something was missing: real, local support. Our customers needed someone close by. So, we packed our bags (not literally!) and set up shop. Now, we’re just around the corner, ready to help, answer questions faster, and make things run smoother. What’s changed? 

• Faster service – no more delays, direct response 
• Personal connection – a dedicated team on site 
• Efficient processes – from delivery to maintenance

This wasn’t just about business. It was about being there for our customers – truly and personally. We’re excited about what’s ahead and can’t wait to keep growing with our Swiss partners.

- Carlheinz Reiner | Managing Director, INFORS HT, Switzerland

Sometimes, the most impactful innovations are born not from competition, but from collaboration. That’s exactly what happened when Microphyt, a French biotech pioneer, and INFORS HT teamed up to tackle a unique challenge: cultivating delicate microalgae species at preparative scale. Supported by the EUROSTARS program, an European Regional Development Fund, the project led to the creation of Alpfors, a next-generation photobioreactor designed for high-performance, bubble-free, aseptic cultivation under controlled light conditions. The goal? Bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial-scale microalgae production.

Alpfors was designed to handle delicate, biofilm-forming microalgae—species like Porphyridium purpureum—with gentle, low-shear flow, advanced light chamber design, and even an automated wiping system to keep inner optics clear throughout cultivation. The goal? Enable higher yields with full control, minimal cell damage, and clean reproducibility. It began with a 50-liter prototype, built by INFORS HT and tested by Microphyt in 2014. The promising results led to the creation of the 150-liter Alpfors, which achieved threefold improvements in continuous production rates. But beyond its technical achievements, Alpfors represents something more: a successful cross-border partnership, a shared vision, and a smart solution to a real-world problem in biotechnology.