This year, laboratory autoclave manufacturers, Priorclave celebrate their 20th anniversary. The Company initially manufactured laboratory autoclaves, climatic test chambers and Go-Kart engines, one of which, the Hornet, gave rise to their distinctive logo. However, whilst maintaining a small turnover in bespoke climatic chambers, the design and manufacture of laboratory steam autoclaves quickly developed as the core business.
Priorclave’s first two autoclaves were exported to Ireland, initiating a network of overseas distributors, and an impressive blue chip client list at home and abroad secured the future. Now with a complement of 35 personnel collectively responsible for developing worldwide markets in virtually every continent and major trading centre, Priorclave have grown to be regarded as world leaders in their field.
Laboratory autoclaves are generally used for quality control and general laboratory work in universities, life science departments such as biochemistry, genetics, microbiology etc, the food and pharmaceutical industries and hospitals. All steam sterilising applications can be covered but use is more commonly applied for media preparation and laboratory waste sterilisation.
The early product portfolio was a small range of innovative, 100L and 150L capacity, top and front loading autoclaves, with copper pressure vessels. These were ideally suited to food manufacturers who found themselves increasing their microbiological testing in response to the many food scares of the time.
The range gradually expanded with a bench top model, then larger rectangular models, steam jacketed models, autoclaves with power doors and most recently a large capacity front loader.
Innovation has been key in Priorclave’s development. Early top loaders were designed with very low loading heights for operator comfort. Priorclave subsequently led the way in the UK with features such as thermal locks and microprocessor control on all models and media warming cycles.
The adoption of BioCote® patented powder coating technology, proven to reduce bacteria by up to 95.8%, reducing cross contamination risks, makes Priorclave autoclaves the only autoclaves with a proven ability to destroy bacteria inside and outside.
Priorclave also innovate in manufacturing, maintaining modern CNC manufacturing machinery. In 1996 their policy of retaining flexibility and control of quality by manufacturing as much as possible in-house led to investment in a purpose built semi-automatic welding machine producing their own stainless steel pressure vessels.
