BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--908 Devices, a pioneer of purpose-built analytical devices for chemical analysis, today announced a number of significant milestones since the introduction of its flagship product, M908™, the world’s first and only handheld tool utilizing high-pressure mass spectrometry™ (HPMS) for trace-level chemical detection and identification.
In response to increased customer demand and employee growth, 908 Devices has expanded its office from a 7,000 square-foot R&D think tank into a 16,000 square-foot full-scale production facility. The facility is strategically located in Boston’s Innovation District on DryDock Avenue - an area undergoing radical transformation, attracting Boston’s most creative firms and tech companies. The new space includes a full machine shop, analytical and R&D labs, clean room and collaborative meeting areas, allowing the team to create new concepts, prototypes and manufacture products in-house, all under one roof. The expansion to a full production facility also provides the company with flexibility as it continues to grow and penetrate new markets. By designing and manufacturing products in-house, the team will stay actively involved in every stage of development, design verification and manufacturing quality.
Since unveiling the powerful capabilities of HPMS in March 2014 with the introduction of M908, 908 Devices has recognized significant company momentum, which includes:
- Joe Griffith being appointed Chief Financial Officer, bringing his 17-year management background in corporate and operational finance, accounting and administration to 908 Devices. Joe previously served as CFO for PerkinElmer’s Life Science & Technology division and as CAO for Caliper Life Sciences.
- Expansion to 908 Device’s science and engineering staff to ramp up product development efforts for energy, environmental and life science markets.
- To fuel the company's continued growth, the team has increased from its seven initial founders in 2012 to 30+ employees today with an expected 50 percent increase in 2015.
- The company is a recipient of the Mass Life Sciences Center award, providing up to $25 million in tax incentives for companies who are committed to creating new jobs in the Commonwealth and those who are currently engaged in life sciences research and development.
“2014 is a banner year for 908 Devices, marked with tremendous growth and success,” said Dr. Kevin J. Knopp, co-founder and CEO, 908 Devices. “Within the analytical instrumentation industry, there has been an incredible shift in demand from very complex catch-all laboratory systems to purpose-built and user-centric analytical tools. The momentum of M908 demonstrates that we are meeting this need and we will continue to focus on delivering the best-in-class devices and solutions for our safety and security customers to use in the field. In addition, we see a lot of opportunity to expand our HPMS platform technology into exciting new applications, including energy, environmental monitoring and life sciences. We are very fortunate to have been able to assemble some incredible talent to bring the most impactful technology out-of-the-lab in order to deliver meaningful results and create simplified tools out of mass spectrometry for these industries.”
“This is an exciting time to be joining 908 Devices,” said Joe Griffith, CFO, 908 Devices. “The success of M908 combined with the recent expansion to a full-scale production facility demonstrates that 908 Devices is poised to make a huge impact on mass spectrometry in the safety and security market and beyond. This is one of the most talented, forward thinking teams in the industry and I believe I can only help to propel the company forward as we build out infrastructure and processes to support our growth and strategic initiatives. I am honored to be joining the team and look forward to contributing to the company’s continued success.”
M908 is the first product line engineered by 908 Devices providing civilian users, first responders and military teams with unique capabilities for material analysis. Weighing in at just 4.4 pounds, the portable device is battery powered and designed for effortless operation in full personal protective equipment (PPE). An expandable threat list enables M908 to adapt with each mission and serve as a truly proactive performance tool in the hot zone. Prior to the introduction of M908, the powerful capabilities of mass spec were primarily limited to the laboratory because of cumbersome size, weight, fragility and complex machinery requiring highly trained experts. 908 Devices’ development of patented HPMS enables M908 to operate in the field with unprecedented levels of selectivity and sensitivity. This groundbreaking technology was recently awarded The 2013 Analytical Scientist Innovation Award, which recognizes the best technological advances of analytical sciences each year and the Instrument Business Outlook's 2014 Gold Award for portable analytical instrument industrial design. M908 was selected for its innovative industrial design which clearly distinguishes the device by creating an appealing visual appearance and enhanced end-user experience.
About 908 Devices
908
Devices is liberating the powerful capabilities of Mass Spectrometry
from the confines of centralized laboratories. 908 Devices’ products
range from rugged, handheld chemical detection tools to compact, tiny
footprint analyzers for researchers, serving a range of industries
including safety and security, energy, petrochemical, and life sciences.
Founded in 2012, by a proven team of industry and technology veterans,
908 Devices is based in Boston’s Innovation District.
To find out more about M908 visit http://www.908devices.com or email info@908devices.com. You can also follow us on Twitter at @908devices and on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/908Devices.
