This is an independent guide. researchchemicals.blog is not affiliated with Fisher Scientific or Thermo Fisher Scientific.
If you have worked in a laboratory, you have almost certainly ordered from Fisher Scientific. Whether people search for “Fisher Sci”, “fishersci” or misspell it as “Fischer Scientific”, they usually mean the same company: one of the world’s biggest distributors of laboratory chemicals, equipment and consumables. This guide explains what Fisher Scientific is today, how it relates to Thermo Fisher Scientific, what you can buy, and how it stacks up against other options. Mounjaro Kaufen
A short history
Fisher Scientific traces its roots to Pittsburgh in the early twentieth century, when Chester Fisher bought a small scientific supply business and grew it into a national laboratory supplier. Over the following decades it expanded through manufacturing and acquisitions into a global distributor, operating as Fisher Scientific International.
The defining moment came in 2006, when Fisher Scientific International merged with Thermo Electron, the instrument maker founded by George Hatsopoulos in the 1950s. The combined company became Thermo Fisher Scientific. Fisher Scientific did not disappear: it became the group’s main sales and distribution channel, and the Fisher Scientific name still appears on catalogues, websites and invoices around the world.
How Fisher Scientific fits into Thermo Fisher
Thermo Fisher Scientific reported revenue of $44.56 billion for 2025, and it is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. It sells through several brands, each with a different role:
The easiest way to think about it: Thermo Scientific, Invitrogen and Applied Biosystems are product brands, while Fisher Scientific is the shop window and logistics network that sells those products, plus items from thousands of other manufacturers. See our separate guide to Thermo Fisher Scientific and Thermo Scientific for the manufacturing side.
What you can buy from Fisher Scientific
- Chemicals: the Fisher Chemical range of solvents, acids, salts and reagents in grades from general purpose to analytical, HPLC and high-purity LC-MS, alongside chemicals from other manufacturers.
- Consumables: pipette tips, tubes, plates, filters, glassware and plasticware.
- Equipment: balances, centrifuges, incubators, fridges and freezers, fume cupboards, pH meters and general lab instruments.
- Safety products: gloves, eye protection, lab coats, spill kits and chemical storage.
- Education: kits and supplies for schools and colleges.
- Services: equipment servicing and calibration, inventory management and new-lab setup support.
Fisher Sci, fishersci, Fischer Scientific: what the names mean
The company’s web addresses use the short form “fishersci”, which is why so many people search for fishersci or Fisher Sci. Each region has its own website, catalogue, pricing and stock, so the US site and the UK site show different product codes and prices. “Fischer Scientific”, with a c, is simply a common misspelling. If you are in the UK, our guide to Fisher Scientific UK covers the local company, ordering and delivery. research chemical online store
How to order
- Open an account through your country’s Fisher Scientific website. Universities, hospitals and companies usually already have one, often linked to a purchasing framework.
- Search by catalogue number or CAS number to avoid picking the wrong grade or pack size.
- Check the documentation: Safety Data Sheets and Certificates of Analysis are available from product pages.
- Expect checks on restricted products. Controlled and hazardous items may need extra paperwork or end-use declarations, and many are sold only to verified organisations. Professor NL
Strengths and weaknesses
| Strengths | Watch-outs |
|---|---|
| Huge range, one supplier for most lab needs | List prices can be high without negotiated discounts |
| Strong logistics and regional stock | Large catalogue makes it easy to order the wrong grade |
| Good documentation (SDS, CoA) | Account setup can be slow for very small buyers |
| Procurement integration for institutions | Some niche products are better sourced from specialists |
Alternatives to Fisher Scientific
The main broad-line competitors are VWR, which is part of Avantor, and Sigma-Aldrich, which belongs to Merck KGaA and trades as MilliporeSigma in the US and Canada. Many labs also use regional and specialist suppliers for niche chemicals, reference standards or better pricing on specific items. Comparing a short list of commonly ordered products across two or three suppliers each year is the simplest way to keep prices honest. Our guide to choosing chemical suppliers sets out a full checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fisher Scientific the same as Thermo Fisher?
Fisher Scientific is part of Thermo Fisher Scientific. Thermo Fisher is the parent company; Fisher Scientific is its main distribution brand.
Does Fisher Scientific sell to individuals?
It focuses on businesses, institutions and education. Personal buyers usually find that hazardous and restricted products are not available to them.
Is “Fisher Chemical” the same as Fisher Scientific?
Fisher Chemical is the chemical product brand; Fisher Scientific is the distributor that sells it alongside other brands.
