In 2026, Auxilab – a member of Navarra Health Cluster – celebrates its 50th anniversary, consolidating its position as one of the pioneering companies in Spain in the distribution of laboratory materials and equipment. With a wide product range and a strong distribution network, the company has built a leading position over the decades, based on quality, service and close customer relationships.
At a key moment for the company, marked by a generational transition and a new phase of growth, we spoke with Ricardo Ainciburu, the new General Manager, who takes over from his father to lead Auxilab’s evolution towards a more innovative, digital and market-oriented model.
Could you introduce Auxilab, its trajectory and the company’s main milestones?
Auxilab is a company with nearly 50 years of experience in the distribution of laboratory materials and equipment. In our sector, experience builds trust, and this is one of our key differentiating strengths: ensuring high-quality products and reliable results for laboratory testing and measurement.
One of our core pillars has always been importing. We define ourselves as wholesalers of laboratory supplies, with strong expertise in this field. In fact, we were the first Spanish company to import laboratory products from China back in the 1980s, at a time when it was not yet the “factory of the world” and doing so involved significant logistical and operational challenges. This journey has allowed us to grow alongside manufacturers and gain in-depth knowledge of the country, which today represents a clear competitive advantage.
We were also pioneers in the digital field: in 1988, we launched the company’s website, which opened us up to international markets and facilitated exports beyond Europe.
Another major milestone was the acquisition of the French company Rogo-Sampaic in 2011, which marked a significant step change: we expanded our portfolio from 3,000 to over 15,000 product lines, while also gaining access to a broad range of premium brands.
Today, our value lies in the wide range of products we keep in stock for immediate delivery, our close customer support through a specialised team, the brands we represent, and above all our own brands, through which we design and develop equipment and consumables for a wide variety of laboratories.
This evolution is also reflected in our growth: we started in a 130 m² facility and today we operate from more than 6,000 m² of premises.
What is your value proposition and what sets you apart from your competitors?
Our value proposition is based on a broad, well-balanced and carefully structured catalogue that combines our own brands with represented brands. This enables us to offer both competitive pricing and premium-quality products.
Over time, we have strengthened the value of our own brands, building on the knowledge accumulated over the years. In addition, one of our key strengths is service: we aim to respond to any request as quickly as possible and deliver orders within 24 to 48 hours.
Another key aspect is our close relationship with customers. Although we operate as a catalogue-based supplier rather than delivering turnkey projects, we do support distributors and clients in the development and improvement of products, as well as in large-scale projects and public tenders. This ongoing collaboration is a core part of the value we bring to the market.
We also stand out for offering highly competitive pricing, positioning us among the most cost-effective companies in the sector in Spain. In addition, we have a website that enables online purchasing across our entire catalogue.
Looking ahead, we aim to strengthen the intangible value of the Auxilab brand, so that it is recognised not only for its pricing, but also as a synonym for quality.
What stage is Auxilab currently at, and what are the main challenges ahead?
Auxilab is currently in a phase of transformation and expansion. We are working on the development of a new Auxilab brand, with different product ranges based on quality and price. Our aim is to position this new brand as a premium option, particularly targeting a mid-to-high segment linked to technology. This year, we have achieved 6.5% growth at group level, further consolidating our position in the market.
At the same time, this year we are making a strong investment in digital transformation, including the implementation of a warehouse management system (WMS) and the launch of a new Auxilab website aimed at improving the user experience.
This stage also coincides with a key moment at organisational level: the generational transition. After 50 years at the helm, the founder is preparing to step down, and we aim to ensure a smooth transition that maintains the trust of our customers, distributors and team. In May, we will host an event in Navarra with our main clients to thank them for their support over these five decades.
In terms of business, we are in a phase of sustained growth. We currently generate around €10 million in global turnover: approximately €4.5 million in Spain, €3 million in France, and the remainder from exports (including Portugal, Belgium, Romania and Lithuania, among others).
De cara al futuro, vemos varios retos clave. Por un lado, el sector seguirá creciendo, pero también estará cada vez más regulado y exigirá una mayor gestión de datos. Por otro, será fundamental integrar la inteligencia artificial de forma útil en el negocio.
Looking ahead, we see several key challenges. On the one hand, the sector will continue to grow, but it will also become increasingly regulated and require more advanced data management. On the other, it will be essential to integrate artificial intelligence into the business in a practical and effective way.
At a business level, one of our main challenges is to strengthen brand recognition among end users, ensuring that our established brands such as Zuzi, Nahita and Endo are clearly associated with Auxilab, both by users and distributors.
In this context, our involvement in Navarra Health Cluster since its creation allows us to anticipate trends, understand regulatory developments – particularly in medical devices – and build relationships with companies we aim to collaborate with in the future.
