In this interview, Sphere Fluidics’ Vice President of Operations Rob Treanor sits down for an insightful conversation detailing the strategic decisions behind the completion of Sphere Fluidics’ new state-of-the-art facility and their office relocation and rebranding.
Could you please introduce yourself and your role at Sphere Fluidics?
My name is Rob Trainor. I’m the vice president of operations, which means I oversee supply chain quality and facility development.
Congratulations on the completion of Sphere Fluidics’ new state-of-the-art facility. Can you tell us about the significance of this expansion and how it aligns with the company’s long-term goals?
For the first time in a decade our entire team is under one roof. We have been spread over three or more sites over the past few years. We’ve known for some time that we have world-class technology and fantastic people, and now we’re able to back it up with the kind of infrastructure.
Image credit: Sphere Fluidics
The recent office move and rebranding were significant milestones for Sphere Fluidics. Can you share more about the strategic reasons behind these decisions and their impact on company operations and brand image?
The company has grown rapidly over the last 18 months and we needed more space. We wanted to increase the team’s resources and capabilities, allowing the business to unlock its true potential. The rebrand reflects our maturity as a business and our understanding of who our customers are and how to keep them happy.
The main drive for the rebrand is that the business has just matured. We are now ten years old. Earlier, we were a startup. We were trying to figure out where our markets were and what we needed to do to be successful. Now, we find ourselves in a position where we are an established business. We have aspirations of continuing to grow globally.
Granta Park is known for its world-class life-science research environment. How do you envision this new facility contributing to Sphere Fluidics’ innovation and research capabilities?
Granta Park was a natural choice for us and like our new neighbors, our technology and products are mature Within this facility, we are developing our pipeline of next-generation products and bringing them to market in the coming months.
With the completion of the second phase of construction, the facility has expanded significantly. What specific features or capabilities can we expect from this new space and how will it enhance the capabilities of Sphere Fluidics?
Our lab spaces are dedicated to innovative techniques like microfabrication and mass spectrometry, best-in-class QC labs, and flexible workspaces for collaboration, which allow us to do more than ever before.
Can you highlight some of the key technologies or tools at the new facilities that will enable Sphere Fluidics to continue pushing the boundaries of life science research and biotechnology?
Our new facility has multiple labs optimized for the work we do, including a microfluidic biochip fabrication lab, mass spectrometry lab, microbiology lab, and cell culture lab. Our work is highly interdisciplinary, and bringing all these labs together helps us work more efficiently and drive innovation through collaboration.
The customer demonstration lab is an interesting addition to the new facility. How do you see this benefiting both Sphere Fluidics and your customers, and can you share any specific plans for its use?
The demonstration lab serves multiple purposes: introducing potential customers to our technology, training our staff, and connecting with our field-based teams and distributors, ultimately enhancing our service efficiency.
In the context of the larger biotech and life science landscape, what do you believe sets Sphere Fluidics apart from other companies in terms of its vision, technology and impact on the industry?
Our technology is coming of age, and we find that the markets are growing rapidly. Our Cyto-Mine® platform can screen up to 40 million cells per day, isolating and delivering rare or valuable cells ready for customers’ downstream workflows. This type of throughput is unique, and is proving to be extremely valuable in a breakthrough.
Can you discuss any exciting projects or research areas that Sphere Fluidics is currently involved in or plans to pursue in the near future?
We have planned exciting features, such as a new four-laser Cyto-Mine® system, achieving FDA CFR 21 Part 11 compliance for the Cyto-Mine® software, and adding new software features and assay kits. Technology is evolving, making it an exciting time to be in Sphere Fluidics.
Sphere Fluidics. We work small so you can think big.
Where can readers find more information?
About Rob Trainor
Rob Treanor is vice president of operations at Sphere Fluidics, where he oversees manufacturing, supply chain, quality and facilities. Rob has worked in life sciences for over ten years, previously working for Abcam PLC and later Axol Bioscien.
ce Ltd, where he helped open new global offices in the US, China and Australia. Previously, he was a captain in the British Army where he commanded parachute trained troops in operations.