Agilent 20th Anniversary

We are Agilent, a global leader in the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets, proudly celebrating 20 years of igniting innovation. Working in concert with our customers, we strive to improve drug quality and access, clean air, food and water, cancer diagnostics, laboratory economics and workflow, and so much more.

The Agilent Story

Our story begins in 1939 in an unassuming, one-car garage in Palo Alto, California in the heart of Silicon Valley, when Bill Hewlett and David Packard form the company that becomes Hewlett-Packard (HP). The pair start producing a line of electronic test and measurement equipment and embark on a long heritage of technical innovation. The garage becomes the ‘Birthplace of Silicon Valley' and is designated a California Historical Landmark, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Hewlett-Packard years

HP's first product was an audio oscillator. The Walt Disney Studio purchased eight of these instruments to test and certify the sound systems in theaters running Disney's Fantasia, the first major film released in stereophonic sound. In 1965 HP acquires F&M Scientific Corporation. This was Agilent's entry into the field of life sciences instrumentation. F&M made gas chromatographs and established HP as a player in the analytical-medical industry, forming the basis for much of Agilent's business today. This was followed with the launch of the world’s first digital benchtop GC/MS with autotune and hyperbolic quad mass spectrometer (MS) in 1976.

Agilent is born

The largest initial public offering (IPO) in Silicon Valley historyIn 1999 HP announced the spinoff of its Test & Measurement, Chemical Analysis, Healthcare Solutions and Semiconductor Products Groups into Agilent Technologies, a diversified technology company that will focus on measurement, chemical analysis, semiconductor components and medical businesses. The resulting IPO is the largest in Silicon Valley history at that time. During the ensuing years, Agilent undergoes significant transformation through acquisitions, divestitures, and restructuring. Acquisitions during this period include Varian, Inc., establishing Agilent's footprint in the bio-analytical measurement business, providing a strong presence in spectroscopy, service and consumables.

A substantial period of transformation and diversification

In 2012, Agilent entered oncology diagnostics by acquiring Dako, a cancer diagnostics company. Their products help pathologists make accurate diagnoses and determine the most effective treatment for cancer patients.

In 2014, Agilent completed the spinoff of its former electronic measurement business, Keysight Technologies, and was classified by Standard and Poor's as a healthcare company.

In 2015, Agilent entered the cell analysis market with the acquisition of Seahorse Bioscience, an industry leader in tools for measuring cell metabolism, complementing Agilent's leading separations and mass spectrometry solutions for metabolomics and disease research in pharma.

That year, Agilent launched the CrossLab group and brand to deliver innovative laboratory services, software, and consumables to improve customers’ economic, operational, and scientific outcomes. Agilent CrossLab expanded its portfolio with the addition of iLab Solutions, a market leader in cloud-based lab management solutions, in 2016.

Through 2018 and 2019 Luxcel, ACEA, and BioTek were also acquired to further complement the cell analysis solutions offerings. Agilent continued to acquire a record number of high-profile businesses including Cobalt Light Systems in 2018, providing state-of-the-art Raman spectroscopy technology, as well as Advanced Analytical Technologies, Inc., offering further advances in genomics, metabolomics, and proteomics.

In 2018, CrossLab added ULTRA Scientific and ProZyme, premium suppliers of chemical standards and specialty biopharma reagents, to provide customers with more complete workflow solutions.

Keeping innovation at the heart

Today Agilent is increasingly focused on empowering the next-generation laboratory through the delivery of unique solutions that are transforming the customer experience. We envision a future lab that is digital, smart, connected, and integrates augmented reality, artificial intelligence, data analytics and robotics.

With core strengths in the chromatography and high-end mass spectrometry markets, and additional focus on fast-growing markets such as cell analysis, next generation sequencing, biopharma and informatics, Agilent innovations continue to spur new-to-world contributions and discoveries.

Helping to shape a more sustainable world

At Agilent, sustainability is integrated throughout the business, and our sustainability efforts have not gone unnoticed. Agilent is ranked No. 1 in Barron's 100 Most Sustainable Companies in 2020 and we are the industry leader for Life Sciences Tools and Services in the Dow Jones Sustainability Rankings by RobecoSAM, an investment specialist focused on sustainable investing.

The power and passion of our people

Agilent's passion and commitment are ignited by our people. Our employees are leaders, visionaries, partners, innovators, environmentalists, solvers, givers, scientists, and listeners.

All are deeply vested in the company and are collectively inspired to deliver trusted answers to our customers. Whether it's helping a lab scientist make the right discovery or providing preventative maintenance to the equipment in the lab, Agilent employees are inspired because they know that their work positively changes lives.

The Agilent advantage: our people

Agilent is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and has received numerous awards and recognition including World's Best Employer, Great Place to Work, as well as being named one of the Best Employers for Diversity.

Our culture includes respect for the contributions of every employee in our global workforce. Our mission is to ‘advance the quality of life' and the fulfillment of that mission begins with the support of our employees and our recognition of the great work they do every day.

Committed to ensuring a better future for all

Agilent is inspired by its people, its customers, and the collective determination to improve the quality of life. That's why, for the last 20 years, we have created best-in-class products and services that make a difference for everyone, everywhere, every day. Agilent will continue to grow its businesses and market share organically and through targeted acquisitions. We will never lose sight of our pursuit—to deliver trusted answers and insights to advance the quality of life. Together, we ensure a better future for all of us.

---

Resources:

• Visit Agilent's Awards page for more insights into our global sustainability achievements.