Metrohm USA Opens Regional Lab in Chicagoland to Strengthen Midwest Support

Metrohm USA’s new regional office and laboratory in Lombard, Illinois, features dedicated spaces for hands-on training, product demonstrations, and customer collaboration across a range of industries. All images: Laura Meyer Photography

Metrohm USA has expanded its operations in the Midwest with the opening of a new regional office and laboratory facility in Lombard, Illinois. Located just outside of Chicago, the new space is part of the company’s effort to improve support and responsiveness for customers in the region. The facility will serve a range of industries—including chemical, pharmaceutical, environmental, and food and beverage—and is positioned to offer local access to technical expertise and analytical instrumentation.

The Lombard office includes space for hands-on training, product demonstrations, and industry meetings, creating opportunities for direct collaboration between Metrohm staff and customers. The company has previously held successful events in the Chicago area, and this new location builds on that engagement by offering a dedicated site for ongoing outreach and support. A ribbon-cutting event took place on April 30, 2025, giving local stakeholders a chance to tour the space and connect with Metrohm representatives.

Lab Design News spoke to Metrohm USA about how the new lab and office space supports evolving analytical needs across industries such as pharma, chemicals, and environmental testing.

Q: What were the primary design goals for the new Lombard facility, and how did they reflect Metrohm's mission of providing a human-centered customer experience?

A: The Lombard facility was designed with one clear objective: to bring Metrohm closer to our customers—physically and experientially. Every element, from location to layout, was driven by our mission to provide a human-centered experience that blends technical excellence with personal connection. The goal was to create a welcoming, functional space where customers could interact with our technologies in a hands-on environment, receive tailored training, and have meaningful dialogue with our experts. Being centrally located near major airports and accommodations also ensures convenience for visitors and team members alike.

Q: How was end user input collected, and how did it influence the final design of the lab?

A: Input was gathered informally over years of engaging with our customers at regional seminars, training sessions, and field visits. We paid close attention to pain points—such as the need for faster demo turnaround, more localized training, and streamlined service & support. Internally, sales and service teams provided critical feedback about what they needed to be more effective: better access to instruments, practical training spaces, and reduced travel time. These insights directly influenced the layout, amenities, and capabilities of the new space.

Metrohm’s new laboratory space in Lombard, IL, was unveiled during a ribbon-cutting event on April 30, 2025, offering attendees a firsthand look at the facility’s technical capabilities and collaborative layout.

Q: Can you describe how the facility was designed to support hands-on customer training, technical seminars, and product demonstrations? Were there any particular architectural or layout considerations?

A: Yes. The facility includes dedicated spaces optimized for interaction and learning. A central demonstration lab supports product trials and live demos across Metrohm’s core technologies—including titration, spectroscopy, and ion chromatography. Adjacent to this, flexible seminar and training rooms were designed with modular furniture and AV capabilities to accommodate small workshops or larger presentations. Visibility and flow were key: we wanted the space to feel open and accessible, with clear paths between learning, lab, and collaboration zones.

Q: What features or technologies were incorporated into the lab spaces to ensure flexibility and adaptability for multiple industries like chemical, pharmaceutical, and environmental testing?

A: The demonstration lab is equipped with modular workstations, interchangeable instrument setups, and easy-access utilities that support quick reconfiguration. This was intentional to accommodate a wide range of applications—from petrochemical to biotech to environmental labs—without needing major downtime between uses. The lab also includes local storage for commonly used parts and accessories, allowing rapid prep for any customer scenario.

Q: Were there any specific construction challenges related to building a multi-use space that needed to function as both a laboratory and a customer-facing event hub? If so, how were they addressed?

A: Balancing functionality and aesthetics was a major consideration. We needed to meet technical requirements for lab ventilation, electrical, and water access while ensuring the space remained polished and professional enough for customer events. This meant working closely with architects and contractors on hybrid flooring, discreet utility routing, and flexible lighting options that could toggle between practical and presentation-ready. Sound control was also a priority, especially with presentation and demo areas in close proximity.

Q: How does the design of this facility promote collaboration between Metrohm staff and customers during training sessions or technical workshops?

A: Collaboration was central to the layout. Training spaces are intentionally located next to the demo lab, allowing real-time learning through observation and interaction. Meeting rooms are close to the technical areas to encourage spontaneous discussions, and glass walls promote visibility without sacrificing privacy. The design supports an open-door feel—inviting conversation and connection between our teams and our customers.

As technology advances, robotics are becoming more important. These types of systems cannot be transported easily for demonstrations, but many analytical chemistry customers request to see capital equipment in action before making an investment. This new facility gives us the opportunity to engage with our customers directly—to introduce new instruments in a hands-on setting and provide training on evolving standard methods across industries.

Q: Sustainability is a growing focus in new facility construction — were any green building practices, energy-efficient systems, or sustainable materials used in the design and construction of the Lombard office?

A: While not LEED-certified, sustainability was a factor in material selection and system design. Energy-efficient HVAC and LED lighting systems were installed throughout the building. Reusable materials throughout the breakroom were used to limit daily waste generation, and motion sensors help minimize energy use in common areas. Additionally, by eliminating the need for repeated travel to other Metrohm sites, the local office contributes to reducing our overall carbon footprint through decentralized training and support.