Mikro+Polo launches comprehensive B2B marketplace to revolutionise laboratory procurement

Buying for a laboratory is rarely as simple as finding the right item and placing an order. Price, stock levels, lead times, order conditions, internal approvals and documentation all have to line up, particularly when a purchase involves several departments or a large basket of products.

That is the gap Mikro+Polo says it is aiming to close with Market B2B, its online purchasing environment for companies, laboratories and other business customers. According to the company, the...

platform is designed to make procurement faster and easier to oversee, whether an organisation is placing occasional orders or managing frequent replenishment across multiple sites.

One of the main attractions of a digital marketplace is the ability to bring a wide range of items into a single purchasing flow. Mikro+Polo says its laboratory programme covers more than a million products across five sales areas, supported by a specialist sales team of 30 experts with science degrees. That breadth matters in a sector where a single order may include reagents, glassware, pipette tips, protective equipment, instruments and sample-preparation materials. Rather than juggling several suppliers and separate requests, buyers can search and compare within one system.

The company also stresses the value of tailored commercial terms. For business users, the price on screen is not always the price that matters most; contract products, agreed payment arrangements and internal purchasing rules can all shape the final decision. Mikro+Polo says registered users see personalised prices and conditions linked to their account, with access to broader B2B functionality and contract-based offers. That can help reduce misunderstandings and keep procurement, laboratory staff and finance teams aligned.

For larger orders, the ability to keep everything organised is just as important as speed. Mikro+Polo says its advanced basket is intended to help users manage complex purchases, including cost centres, stock checks, payment options and tax-related settings. Where internal sign-off is needed, buyers can turn a basket into a quotation, export it to PDF and circulate it before converting it into an order. Saved baskets also make repeat purchasing quicker, which is useful for items ordered on a regular basis.

This approach reflects a broader shift in business-to-business buying. McKinsey has noted that online marketplaces give procurement teams greater visibility over availability, pricing and terms, while digital lab marketplaces are increasingly being used to filter products by specification, lead time and warranty. Industry commentators say the move online has been driven in part by buyers’ preference for self-service channels and the need to cut repetitive administrative work.

Mikro+Polo says the process does not end at checkout. The platform includes shipment tracking, so laboratories can plan around delivery rather than waiting uncertainly. It also provides instructions for use and access to customer support, which can be helpful when a buyer needs clarification before committing to an order or wants help after delivery.

The company adds that regular purchasing can bring extra benefits through a loyalty scheme, with points collected on repeat orders redeemable in a gift programme. For laboratories that buy consumables and equipment throughout the year, that kind of incentive may add another layer of value.

In a market where laboratories increasingly expect breadth, transparency and convenience from suppliers, Mikro+Polo is positioning Market B2B as more than a digital catalogue. Its pitch is that procurement can be concentrated, personalised and easier to manage from start to finish, leaving buyers with less time spent chasing products and more certainty that the right materials will arrive when they are needed.

Source: Noah Wire Services