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Organization & Leadership

The people, principles, and milestones behind the ifplabs laboratory network.

Three smiling scientists talk together in a laboratory.

Organization in Practice

Laboratory team reviewing data on a computer screen.

At ifplabs, our work is guided by a clear purpose: delivering science that customers can rely on. This shared foundation is reflected in our culture, vision, mission and values, shaping how we work across regions, disciplines and teams.

Together, these principles support scientific integrity, responsible action and consistently high‑quality outcomes.

Our Purpose

What drives our work, how we operate, and what we stand for as a scientific organization.
Our Vision – Where Do We Want to Go?

We support our customers‘ success with science they can trust – helping make the world a little safer every day.

Our vision reflects our responsibility as a scientific partner. We enable safe products, regulatory compliance, and informed decision-making through precise analytical results.

Our Mission – How Do We Get There?

We provide accurate, timely analysis to power confident decisions.

Every analytical result informs decisions with realworld consequences. Our mission is to deliver reproducible, validated and actionable results through robust scientific processes, controlled quality systems, and efficient workflows.

Our Values – What guides us?

Our values define how we work, interact, and make decisions:
Illustration Trust

Trust

We earn trust through scientific integrity, transparency, and reliability. Our customers and colleagues know they can count on us– because we stand by our results and our word.

Illustration Customer-centricity

Customer-Centricity

We put our customers at the heart of everything we do. Their challenges are our challenges. We listen, understand, and tailor our solutions to help them succeed.

Illustration Collaboration

Collaboration

We believe great results come from working together – with our customers, partners, across teams, departments, and borders. We share knowledge, support each other, and grow stronger through cooperation.

Illustration Responsibility

Responsibility

We take ownership of our work and its impact. Whether it’s scientific accuracy, ethical conduct, or sustainability – we act with care and accountability.

Illustration Responsiveness

Responsiveness

We move with agility and purpose. Our customers rely on timely answers, and we respond quickly, clearly, and proactively – because their decisions can’t wait.

Group of ifp team members posing together at an outdoor running event.

Our Culture

Our network brings together laboratories with distinct histories, specializations and regional identities. What connects them is a shared commitment to scientific rigour, open exchange and accountability.

  • Cross-site collaboration: Regular exchange between teams in Germany and the United Kingdom ensures alignment on methods, capacity and scientific questions.
  • Scientific peer exchange: Structured knowledge sharing and collaborative work support continuous learning and consistent analytical approaches.
  • Direct access: Flat laboratory structures enable direct communication between scientists and customers — without intermediary layers.
  • Growth from within: Internal career paths and specialist training support long-term development of expertise and perspective.

Our Journey

Powered by Experience. Driven by Progress.

ifplabs developed from a specialised analytical laboratory in Berlin into an international, accredited laboratory network. Founded in 2004 in Berlin‑Steglitz by Dr. Wolfgang Weber, the original ifp – Institute for Product Quality GmbH focused on advanced analytical methods for allergens, pathogens, vitamins, contaminants and residues, complemented by applied research and the development of diagnostic test kits. This combination of method development, validated workflows and scientific consistency forms the foundation of ifplabs today.

2004
ifp_Berlin_Steglitz_01

Founding

ifp Privates Institut für Produktqualität GmbH is established in Berlin‑Steglitz with a focus on advanced analytical methods and diagnostic development.

2005

ISO 9001 Certification

Certification for the production of diagnostic test kits and related quality‑controlled processes.

2006

ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation

Accreditation for analytical services in food, pharmaceutical products and drinking water, establishing a validated methodological framework for future network expansion.

2013
Neubau_ifp_Campus_01

Start of Campus Construction

Start of large‑scale laboratory campus development at the Berlin‑Adlershof Science Park.

2015

Ohrdruf Laboratory Launch

Opening of the Ohrdruf site as a certified microbiological laboratory for food and drinking water.

2018

Network Expansion

Joint venture with MQD and parallel growth of the Berlin campus into a multidisciplinary analytical hub with more than 400 specialists across research, analytics and technical fields.

2020

Completion of the Adlershof Campus

Integration of contaminant and residue analytics, diagnostic kit production and central administration into a unified campus environment.

2021

Transition & Future Alignment

Battery Ventures becomes majority shareholder.
Dr Wolfgang Weber continues as Scientific Advisor.

2022

Formation of ifplabs & Expansion

ifp‑labs GmbH is founded.
Dr Markus Zell joins the management team as CSMO.
Acquisition of Microsearch Laboratories Ltd. strengthens UK capabilities in microbiology, allergens and nutritional analytics.

2024

Strengthening UK Operations

Dr Markus Zell becomes CEO.
Acquisition of PiQ Laboratories (Wales), specialising in allergen and species analysis.

2025

Expansion & Brand Integration

Acquisition of Foodtest Laboratories Ltd. (Doncaster, UK).
Formation of ifplabs UK Ltd. with coordinated scientific governance.

2026

Network Consolidation

Acquisition of Institut Kuhlmann adds extensive pharmaceutical, food and environmental analytical expertise. Launch of ifp‑labs.com unifies all former brands under the ifplabs identity and establishes a single international digital platform.

Leadership Team

Bringing together scientific, operational and regulatory expertise to drive strategic alignment, consistent performance and long-term development across our laboratory network.
team-markus-zell

Dr. Markus Zell

Chief Executive Officer
ifplabs GmbH

Member of the Management Board

Portrait Dörte Gräßer

Dörte Gräßer

Managing Director
Institut Kuhlmann GmbH

Lucy_Chisholm_CountryManager_UK_@ifp

Lucy Chisholm

Country Manager
ifp-labs UK Ltd.

team-danny-franklin

Danny Franklin

Commercial Director
ifp-labs UK Ltd.

Managing Director
ifp-labs UK Ltd. West Yorkshire

team-claire-jackson

Claire Jackson

Managing Director

ifp-labs UK Ltd. South Yorkshire

Mark_OConnor_MD_UK_WY_@ifp

Mark O‘Connor

Managing Director

ifp-labs UK Ltd. West Yorkshire

team-jennifer-weber

Jennifer Weber

Lead Laboratory Manager

ifp-labs Deutschland GmbH

team-wolfgang-weber

Dr. Wolfgang Weber

Founder of ifp Institute for
Product Quality

Scientific Advisor

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