Our History

Key Facts & Timeline

History of Innovation


1977

History - 1977

Platelet Rotators

The "original platelet motion device", introduced in 1977, to provide continuous, gentle motion for platelet viability.

1984

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Platelet Incubators and Agitators

From 1984 into the early 90's, various sizes of platelet incubators were introduced to provide a controlled temperature storage environment. In addition, the flatbed agitator was introduced which provided side-to-side agitation.

1995

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DH4/DH8 Plasma Thawing Systems

To address the need for quicker and safer plasma thawing, the DH4 and DH8 plasma thawing systems were successfully introduced. They continue to provide the best turn-around time and highest through-put of any thawing device.

2000

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Refrigerators – i.Series and Horizon Series

Refrigerators were introduced for Blood Banks,Laboratories, and Pharmacies in two lines. These refrigerators set a new standard with forward thinking design and technology.

2002

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Hettich Centrifuges

Helmer began distributing Hettich centrifuges for processing laboratory and blood bank samples. Packages were created to simplify the selection and ordering process. In addition, custom packages were created to meet specific facility needs.

2003

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Cell Washing System

The most advanced automatic cell washing system to date, the UltraCW provides a faster turn-around time and consistent, reproducible results.

2004

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Platelet / Plasma / Agitator Redesign

Introduction of the i.Series Platelet Systems which included the i.Center Integrated Monitoring System. Both products were also given a face-lift and adopted the new Helmer TrueBlue color.

2004

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-30° Freezers

The introduction of -30° plasma and laboratory freezers provided a complimentary product to be sold with our highly successful refrigerator. Freezers are available in i.Series® and Horizon Series™.

2008

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11 Cu. Ft. Refrigerators

The introduction of the 11cf slim-line refrigerator extended our refrigerator product offering to those facilities requiring a mid-sized storage solution.

2008

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DH2

The DH2 offered a solution for small facilities that want to take advantage of the benefits and convenience of rapid thawing in a small footprint.

2009

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Undercounter Refrigerators

The 2009 introduction of undercounter refrigerators extended the product line again. A full compliment of refrigerators was now available to meet varied storage requirements.

2010

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Undercounter Freezers

The complimentary undercounter freezer was offered the following year.

2010

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Pass-Thru Refrigerators

The introduction of pass-thru refrigerators for pharmacies and blood banks fulfilled a much needed gap by offering a high-quality product that was designed around helping customers meet USP<797> requirements.

2012

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Gen 3 (i.C3) Refrigerator and Freezer Redesign

The third generation of refrigerators and freezers was launched in 2012 with many feature upgrades. In addition, i.Series® models included the i.C3® User Interface door-mounted, color touch screen that provided constant temperature monitoring and control, multiple information logs, on-screen corrective action, and downloading.

2013

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ADA Undercounter Refrigerators and Freezers

The introduction of ADA compatible undercounter refrigerators and freezers provided an option for new or remodeling facilities that are required to build to ADA guidelines.

2015

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Ultra-Low Freezers

Understanding “How It’s Made Matters” was the tenet around which our Ultra-Low Freezers were designed and developed. Care was taken to focus on each aspect of the product, ensuring that every component works together to create an optimized system that instills confidence in the user. The benefits of the Helmer Ultra-Low Freezer go beyond what you can see and include design elements that guarantee TrueBlue™ performance.

2015

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BloodTrack® HaemoBank™

A just-in-time blood allocation solution that acts as a 24/7 virtual, automated blood bank, helping to reduce blood bank workload, safely improve access, and reduce waste.

2016

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Countertop Refrigerator

Helmer introduces a countertop refrigerator to the cold storage line to satisfy the demanding needs of clinical applications where a compact solution is required. The MLR102 medical-grade countertop refrigerator features AdvanceCore™ thermo-electric cooling technology and is used to safeguard expensive, life-saving vaccines and medications, as well as sensitive reagents and patient samples.

2018

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Next Generation Cell Washer

Intuitive programming with an easy-to-use, full-color touchscreen take the UltraCW®II to the next level in providing consistent, reproducible results for high-performance, automated cell washing.

2018

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BD Pyxis ES Refrigerators

BD and Helmer Scientific collaborate to introduce the first fully integrated Refrigerated Automated Dispensing solution to provide clinicians secure, single line-item access for high-risk and high-value refrigerated medications.

2019

History - 2019

GX solutions for Cold Storage with OptiCool™ Technology

Helmer launches the first professional medical-grade refrigerators. GX Solutions offer optimized control in temperature, noise, and energy management. Powered by OptiCool™ cooling technology, GX Cold Storage Solutions pair a variable capacity compressor (VCC) and natural hydrocarbon refrigerants to achieve a superior storage environment while supporting sustainability initiatives. Over the next few years, additional GX Solutions were added including freezers and pass-thru refrigerators.

2019

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Pro Line Platelet Storage Systems with AdvanceCore™ Technology

Helmer introduces new innovation to industry-leading countertop platelet incubators and agitators offering improved performance, reliability and efficiency. AdvanceCore™ thermoelectric heating and cooling technology provides reliable, energy efficient platelet storage that supports global sustainability initiatives. The inclusion of the i.C3® information center delivers constant temperature monitoring and control, password protection and reporting functionality.

2022

Pharmacy Drawer

GX Cold Storage Solutions Certified to NSF/ANSI 456 Vaccine Storage Standard

The NSF/ANSI 456 Vaccine Storage Standard was finalized in May 2021. It was created by the NSF Joint Committee for Vaccine Storage to help define temperature performance attributes for vaccine storage units, ensuring engineering controls are in place to assist in safely storing vaccines under real-world conditions in clinical environments. All GX Solutions Cold Storage products received certification against the standard in January 2022.

2022

Customized Technical Service Partnership Campaign

Customized Service Partnerships Become Integral Part of Helmer Offering

Our TrueBlue™ service vision takes roots as Customized Service Partnerships and Service Level Agreements are offered to help simplify the management of clinical cold storage, enhance performance, safety, and compliance, and allow facilities to focus on patient care.