microbiologics acquires

Gibson Laboratories

December 31, 2008

St. Cloud, Minnesota - MicroBioLogics announced today that it has acquired the assets of Gibson Laboratories and established a new, wholly-owned subsidiary, Gibson Laboratories, LLC.  Gibson Laboratories, based in Lexington Kentucky, will retain key members of its management team who will report to MicroBioLogics’ CEO, Bob Coborn.  Gibson Laboratories founder and CEO, Cecil Gibson, announced his retirement from the business concurrently with the transaction.

Since its founding in 1989, Gibson Labs has demonstrated success in specialty media products, microorganisms, diagnostics, and proficiency testing supplies.  Gibson Labs counts numerous prestigious firms, hospitals, and laboratories on its customer list. It has been active and successful in new product development and in contract manufacturing for several well-known clients.  MicroBioLogics brings a worldwide distribution system and its own complementary line of branded microorganism products to the portfolio of the combined company.  MicroBioLogics manufactures and distributes microbes into more than 110 countries worldwide, with more than 12,000 distinct end users.

“We expect a high degree of continuity with the Gibson business, and we hope to expand the distribution of Gibson’s products through our international network of distributors,” said Bob Coborn.  “Looking forward, we expect to collaborate with Gibson employees on new product development that will serve our combined customer base.”

Bob White, Granite Equity’s Board Chair at MicroBioLogics added, “Gibson has great customers, excellent employees, and a well-known brand.  We are glad to see the company join our team, and we believe that the acquisition will help us fulfill our mission to provide the highest quality biomaterials for a safer, healthier world.”

MicroBioLogics, majority owned by Granite Equity Partners, was founded in the early 1970’s as a chemistry lab testing business, and has grown into one of the world’s leading producers of lyophilized (freeze-dried) microorganisms serving the global, microbiology quality control, detection, identification & diagnostic markets.

Granite Equity Partners, headquartered in St. Cloud Minnesota, invests human and financial capital from our community of investors, executives, and advisors to advance select companies in our region toward their full potential. For more information visit, www.GraniteEquity.com.