Hardy Diagnostics have acquired GG&B, based in Wichita Falls, Texas GG&B makes innovative automated microscope slide stainers for laboratory use.

The QuickSlide GramPro 80 is capable of Gram staining up to 80 slides per hour, hands-free, and yet is compact enough to fit on any lab counter top. The GramPro 1 is ideal for low volume use and stat procedures. In the near future, QuickSlide will also offer the GramPro 40, designed for mid-sized laboratories.

For blood smears, QuickSlide offers the HemaPro automated instrument for Wright-Giemsa staining of blood cells. “Most all of our customers do Gram stains,” said Jay Hardy, President of Hardy Diagnostics. “The stainers are in keeping with our core microbiology business and can be used by all types of labs; clinical, pharmaceutical, food, biotech, etc.”

Daniel Crawford, Hardy Diagnostics’ choice to lead the new division said, “We are impressed with the unique technology of the stainers, especially the patented electric eye to detect differences in smear thickness.” Crawford, a manager at Hardy Diagnostics for the past three years, has a degree in biomedical engineering from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration.

Jeff Gibbs, a coinventor of the QuickSlide instruments, will be retained by Hardy Diagnostics as the Director of Manufacturing in Wichita Falls, Texas. Gibbs has been involved in laboratory instrumentation design since 1974. Hardy Diagnostics will rebrand the company as QuickSlide, a division of Hardy Diagnostics. All current employees of GG&B Co. have been retained and QuickSlide will continue to operate from the current location in Wichita Falls, Texas.