Restek History: A Celebration of Four Decades
Restek was founded in a former elementary school in Pennsylvania, U.S.A., in 1985, on the dream to provide analysts with the best tools so they can do their best work. Today, we’re a leading developer and manufacturer in the chromatography industry. We’re proudly independent, have offices in eight countries, and are 100% employee-owned.
Celebrate our 40th anniversary by learning about our legacy of technological leadership, employee-ownership, and growth around the world.
Explore Our 40-Year History
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1980s
Founding an independent chromatography company.
1985
Restek Opens for Business
On October 15, 1985, Restek officially opens for business in central Pennsylvania, U.S.A., manufacturing fused silica GC columns.
1987
Silcosteel Coating
The Silcosteel coating was the most inert substrate available for the transfer of low-level polar organic compounds.
1990s
A decade of powerful innovation and global growth.
1990
Thermolite Septa
These preconditioned septa featured innovative blister-type packaging, keeping each septa sealed until it was ready for use.
1990
Restek GmbH (Germany) Opens
The opening of the German office marks a major milestone: Restek is now a global company.
1993
MXT Columns
MXT GC columns provide the strength of metal with the inertness of glass—they’ve even been to space!
EZGC Method Development Software
EZGC paved the way for our current family of powerful GC method development tools.
1994
PLOT Columns
Thanks to an innovative bonding process to minimize particle release, Restek ushers in the next generation of PLOT columns.
ISO 9001 Registration
Achieving our ISO 9001 registration demonstrates our commitment to quality and continual improvement.
1995
Restek France Opens
The founding of our second European office rings in the new year on January 3, 1995.
Integrated Guard Columns
These innovative columns incorporate both a guard column and an analytical column in a continuous length of tubing, eliminating leaks.
1996
SilcoCan Air Canisters
Featuring our unique Siltek treatment technology, these air canisters provide ultimate inertness.
Resprep Product Line
From QuEChERS extraction salts to vacuum manifolds, our Resprep family of rugged and reliable sample prep products continues to expand.
LC Columns
With the development of our own LC columns, Restek now offers both GC and LC columns.
Restek Thames (UK) Opens
Our newest European office opens just outside of London, UK, bringing our total count to three. Also serving Ireland since 2017.
1998
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Group Award
Received for our contribution to the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft mission, which utilized a Restek MXT-1701 GC column for its GCMS analysis of Saturn’s moon, Titan.
2000s
Industry firsts and employee ownership.
2000
Siltek Deactivation
Siltek-treated coatings provide enhanced inertness compared to untreated stainless steel.
2001
Sulfinert Treatment
Provides excellent inertness for sulfur and mercury calibration standards and improved corrosion resistance over bare stainless steel.
2005
Biphenyl LC Columns
A Restek innovation, these innovative columns were the first in the industry.
2006
Rxi GC Columns
This innovative column family provides outstanding inertness, low bleed, and high reproducibility.
2007
QuEChERS Product Line
Featuring a wide selection and easy-to-use packaging, these products are great for this.
2008
100% Restek U.S. Employee Ownership
A major milestone for our goal to maintain independence while sharing our success with employees.
2009
Restek Japan Opens
Our first office in Asia brings Restek to new markets.
Laboratory Equipment’s Reader’s Choice Award
Restek QuEChERS SPE tubes win, and Biphenyl LC columns named as a finalist in the Laboratory Equipment’s Reader’s Choice Award.
2010s
Advancing our offices, certifications, and product lines.
2010
ProFLOW 6000 Flowmeter
This portable electronic meter features a wide range of capabilities, including measuring volumetric flow for most gases.
Laboratory Equipment’s Reader’s Choice Award
Both Restek PLOT columns and ProFLOW 6000 flowmeter win in the Laboratory Equipment’s Reader’s Choice Award.
Restek purchases Glastron, Inc.
Bringing liner manufacturing expertise in-house.
2011
Restek Achieves ISO 17025 & Guide 34 Accreditation
Now known as ISO/IEC 17025 & ISO 17034, these certifications further demonstrate our commitment to quality and continual improvement.
2012
Pro EZGC Online Chromatogram Modeler
Create and optimize GC methods in minutes with this powerful modeling software.
Restek acquires MicroQuartz GmbH (Germany)
Bringing fused-silica manufacturing expertise in-house.
2013
Restek China Opens
Our second office in Asia opens, helping Restek become available to more customers.
Raptor SPP LC columns
Raptor LC columns feature superficially porous particle technology, which provide fast separations with lower back pressure.
Restek Acquires Superchrom, S.r.l. in Italy
Now known as Restek Italy, this office is our fourth in Europe.
2016
Force UHPLC Columns
This incredibly rugged and consistent column line is the culmination of our twenty-plus years in LC column development.
2017
Topaz GC Inlet Liners
The culmination of years of deactivation expertise led us to this innovative liner technology.
2018
European Distribution Center Opens
Simplifying shipping and procurement for customers in the region.
2019
SelectScience Reviewers’ Choice Award
Restek Wins the Analytical Science Company of the Year award.
2020s
Achieving global employee ownership and onto the future.
2020
Pro EZLC Method Translator
Powerful software to help scale down and speed up your current LC methods.
Restek España (Spain) Opens
Our fifth European office opens in Spain, expanding our footprint across the continent.
2022
Pro EZLC Chromatogram Modeler
Building on our success of Pro EZGC, this powerful chromatogram modeling software is now available for LC.
2023
SelectScience Scientists’ Choice Award for Best New Separations Product
Rxi-SVOCms GC columns win SelectScience Scientists’ Choice Award for Best New Separations Product
Employee Ownership Expands to Restek’s Global Offices
More employees get to enjoy the benefits of employee ownership.
Inert LC Hardware
A premium inert coating applied to our LC hardware helps improve analysis of metal-sensitive compounds.
Restek Acquires KinetoChem
Bringing advanced technical expertise in-house.
2024
Glastron Joins Employee Ownership Program
Every employee is now an employee owner, making Restek 100% employee-owned worldwide.
2025
Restek’s 40th Anniversary
Four decades of innovation with no plans on slowing down.
Continue exploring Restek by learning more about us, our corporate philosophy and culture, and what employment opportunities are available. You can also contact us to let us know how we can use our forty years of experience to serve you.
