SLS transforms operations, raising the standard of service

Following a year of major transformation, Scientific Laboratory Supplies (SLS) is already delivering measurable results for laboratories across the scientific industry – with a strong and dependable service to its customers. 

SLS are proud to be partnered with the world’s most recognisable brands in science, and are committed to working with passion, delivering with integrity, and paying attention to the details that matter.

In 2024, SLS undertook one of the most significant operational changes in its 34-year history: a move to a brand-new, purpose-built distribution centre in Fairham, Nottingham. Whilst any relocation of this scale can bring temporary disruption, the company’s long-term vision remained firm - namely, to increase capacity, streamline logistics, and provide a more efficient, responsive and reliable service to the lab community it supports every day.  

More orders, delivered faster

The new site has enabled a leap forward in how orders are processed and delivered. Boasting 40,000 cubic metres of warehouse space, a fully integrated warehouse system, and automated conveyors, the Fairham facility was designed to prioritise efficiency, speed, and scale. It was integral for SLS to ensure they kept things flowing behind the scenes, so that customers could stay focused on the work that matters.

Results were swift; in the first quarter of 2025 alone, over 98% of customer orders were shipped within two days, a notable jump from 87% during the same period in 2024. Order processing times has decreased to just 15 minutes, with capacity rising to 2,500 orders per day - a threefold increase. 

Customers are taking notice

Customer survey data clearly demonstrates that the improvements are already being noticed. In March 2025, SLS customer satisfaction reached 91%, up from 87% the previous year. Ratings for friendliness and helpfulness remained high, at 98% and 95% respectively, whilst speed of response reached 92%. The likelihood of customers recommending SLS to others also rose; 86% of customers expressed confidence in the company’s service, with approximately a third noting a clear improvement since the move to Fairham.

Behind the scenes refinement of the product range

Procurement processes have also evolved, including a comprehensive portfolio reconciliation project and new supply chain management strategies, both designed to further minimise delays and strengthen product availability in 2025 and beyond. 
With an offering of more than 600,000 products from World-leading brands, SLS is working to ensure that customers have access to the right products exactly when they need them.

Futureproofing the business - with sustainability at its heart

The Fairham facility wasn’t just built for scale, it was designed with sustainability in mind. The new building is powered by solar energy and achieved a BREEAM Excellent certification after enabling a 20% reduction in operational emissions. 
The company’s broader commitment to sustainability and responsible growth was further recognised in 2024 when SLS received Gold EcoVadis accreditation, placing SLS in the top 5% of businesses globally for sustainability performance, and making it one of the few lab suppliers in the UK to achieve this level of recognition. You can read more about their commitment to sustainability here.

Because science deserves better service

Whilst automation and operational upgrades may have driven the changes at SLS, what really stands out is the long-lasting focus on its customers. Recent improvements in reliability, communication, and efficiency are all part of a much bigger picture- supporting science through a service that works better, for people and for the planet.   

Take a look at SLS’s Fairham facility.

More information online