About Us

Barry Davis first started York Glassware Services Limited, his expertise lie as a chief techniction in the Chemistry Department glassblowing workshop for York University. Prior to setting up York Glassware Services Barry was in Partnership with two others who launched Northern Scientific. As this business grew there was a need to make this company limited and with differening aspirations it ws decided to set up two limited companies. Barry leading York Glassware Services. Ray Smith who was also with Northern Scientific was appointed to manage the glassblowing workshop and is still with the company today (see Glass Blowing page). Ray was a key appointment his experience in production glassblowing was key to manufacturing at speed and being competitive.

As York Glassware Services evolved Barry bought Labap a company in Huddersfield, Labap had a Yorkshire Purchasing Contract which was developed and became a major customer for the company. Labap was eventually closed and Jeff Bacon the Labap manager is another key appointment who is also still with the company today.

In 1997 Alex Davis, Barry's eldest son, joined the company and gained experience in all aspects of the business. In 2002 Alex bought and took total control of the company, from his father, coinciding one year later with Barry's retirement. Since then Alex has expanded the export side of the business exporting goods to China and various countries in Africa. In 2006 Alex took over Elvet Scientific in Durham. As the company has evolved the name York Glassware Services became less relevant to the core business. With the launch of the new catalogue at the beginning of 2007 (see products) York Glassware Services became Yorlab, encompassing the evolution of the business into a dynamic laboratory supplies company.