Named after scientist/founder Arthur H. Thomas, the company, formed in 1900 and better known as Thomas Scientific, is one of the oldest and largest distributors of scientific laboratory equipment in the US. It shelves an array of beakers and bell jars, centrifuges, hydrometers, microscopes, and test tubes. In addition to equipment, the company supplies the chemicals used in laboratory research. Customers range from public schools and government agencies to cosmetic, food and beverage, and petrochemical businesses around the world. Equally vital, distribution partnerships are cultivated with equipment makers, including Shimadzu Scientific Instruments.