Press Release submitted by
Science First
www.sciencefirst.com
August 28, 2014 6:52 a.m.
“Science First, a Yulee manufacturer of science education equipment and other products, announces the acquisition of some assets of The Science Source of Waldoboro, Maine, a manufacturer of similar equipment, from Anania and Associates, a Maine-based investment company”
Nancy Bell, President of Science First, is pleased to announce that on August 4, 2014, her company purchased some of the assets of The Science Source, a manufacturer of science education equipment located in Waldoboro, Maine. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. Inventory and assets were moved immediately to Science First’s facility in Yulee, FL, since it would prove too difficult to operate in two such widely separated locations.
“This is a big acquisition for us,” states Aaron Bell, Vice President of the company and Nancy’s older son. “The Science Source has been in the same industry as us for about the same length of time (since 1960) and sells to many of the same customers. We expect to add a number of new jobs here in Florida and hope to grow the company considerably.”
Science First Plant Manager Rob Exon and Lead
Technician Jamee Johnson.
“We offered the people in Maine jobs in Florida,” adds Nancy. “The problem is, of course, that people in Maine tend to love where they are living. The team in Maine was truly remarkable in terms of skill and work ethic. Several are coming to train us and may consider moving permanently when they see the fine quality of life we enjoy in Nassau County. We are also extending consulting agreements to key Science Source people and hope to benefit from an ongoing relationship with them.”
“We expect to offer our customers even better customer service, with a wider range of product,” says Nathaniel Bell, marketing director and Nancy’s younger son. “Our industry has become highly consolidated. It’s nice to think that a small business like The Science Source – started by an inventor in Maine who enjoyed making science gadgets out of local hardwood – will continue to be run by a family business.”
Science First Plant Manager Rob Exon, Purchasing Manager Lori Chorbak, and Lead Technician Jamee Johnson were instrumental in overseeing operations in Maine during the move. “Rob, Lori and Jamee really helped us pull it together. We were able to move in 3 weeks instead of the planned-for 6,” comments Nancy. “Of particular importance was the help we received from the team in Maine. They are the sort of folk who don’t stop till they’ve got the job done.”
Science First currently has 26 employees and is in its third generation of family ownership, having been founded by Nancy’s father Frank Lee in 1960. The Science Source was also founded in 1960 by Cliff Bond and later owned by Rudy Graf before its December, 2011 sale to Anania and Associates.
The Science Source brands include Daedalon (electronic products for college use); Beck (physics products at the university level); Staco (museum-quality, greatly enlarged plastic plant and animal cell models); and Linx (design technology tools, parts and kits for elementary school up). It is also the exclusive USA representative for Phywe, a German manufacturer of state of the art science education products that sell at the university level.
Science First expects to continue the manufacture of all or most of Science Science products, although many will be updated. “We’re especially interested in building upon the relationship with Phywe, since it has such a stellar reputation,” adds Aaron. “As a result, we will expand our presence at trade shows, both domestically and abroad.”
The company is seeking help for its customer service, production and warehouse operations. Interested people should contact CareerSource of Florida. It may be necessary for the firm to add on to its current 25,000 square foot facility.
Science First is grateful for the able assistance of Steve Rieck, Executive Director of the Nassau County Economic Development Board; Enterprise Florida; and Nassau County Commissioners in facilitating the move of The Science Source to Florida.