About us

Since 1965, in the heart of the Basque Country, Proquinorte has been much more than a laboratory equipment and material distribution company. We started as a family project, driven by the vision of our founder, and today, more than half a century later, we continue to grow with that same spirit. His son Txabi, who now leads the company, keeps that essence alive while driving us towards new horizons.

Over the years, we have become one of the leading references in the sector throughout Spain, offering a wide range of products and solutions for laboratories in various sectors: hospital, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, water analysis, petrochemical, research centers, universities, and various industries.

Our headquarters, located in the Bizkaia Technology Park, in Zamudio, has more than 1,000 m² of modern facilities, where a team of over 80 people works diligently to provide close and high-quality service.

We continue to look towards the future, with firm roots and the determination to bring the excellence and closeness that characterize us to new markets. Because at Proquinorte, we believe that true scientific progress begins with the best equipment, but above all, with the best people by your side.

Discover our history

1965

Patxi Xabier Gaztelu founded Proquinorte as a distributor of laboratory material, to provide concrete solutions to clients in the steel and chemical industries in the Basque Country.

1979

With the University Law, the company entered universities across the country.

1990

The distribution agreement with Hewlett Packard (now Agilent) for GC and HPLC chromatography allowed Proquinorte to enter the pharmaceutical industry sector.

1992

The GLM laboratory furniture line was launched.

2002

The Molecular Biology business line was opened in collaboration with Applied Biosystems.

2005

Proquinorte signed a distribution agreement with LLG, Europe's largest laboratory material purchasing group.

2012

A new business line focused on providing equipment for public hospitals for cancer diagnosis was launched.

2013

Xabier Gaztelu took the reins of the company, establishing a broad commercial network across all communities in Spain.

2015

The clinical business was expanded to services in oncology, hematology, microbiology, and genetics.

2020

Proquinorte became the main supplier of PCR tests for COVID diagnosis in Spain, entering the clinical diagnostic business in the microbiology area.

2021

New branches were opened in France and Portugal.

Discover our philosophy

Mission

At Proquinorte, we facilitate access for researchers and laboratories to the most suitable solutions for their projects through an extensive commercial and technical network covering Spain and Portugal. We aim to offer a diverse catalog that combines leading brands with more affordable alternatives, allowing us to adapt to the specific needs of each client. In a sector where science faces economic limitations and significant challenges, our commitment goes beyond distribution: we offer personalized advice and continuous support to ensure that every client finds the product that best fits their objectives, ensuring that research never stops due to lack of resources.

Vision

Our vision is to be the support that researchers and laboratories need to continue progressing. From the close relationship we maintain with our clients, we have learned to identify needs that the market does not cover. That’s why we have taken the step of creating our own brands —Hoopbio, Hermes, and PQN Essentials—, developed to provide more accessible and tailored solutions for those working every day for scientific progress. We believe that science is one of the fundamental pillars of society, and we want to contribute our part by making the work of those advancing that progress easier.

Values

Commitment: We are dedicated to doing everything possible to support researchers, ensuring they have the tools and support needed to advance in their work.

Closeness and teamwork: We know that the best solutions come from collaboration. That’s why we work side by side with our clients to understand their needs and offer personalized solutions that address their specific challenges.

Constant innovation: We stay up to date with the latest developments, adding new brands to our portfolio to ensure our clients always have cutting-edge solutions.

Social involvement: We believe in the positive impact science can have on society. That’s why we support and collaborate with scientific, educational, and social projects. We are committed to facilitating access to resources that can improve people’s lives and promote social progress.

Sustainability: We adopt responsible practices in all our operations, from recycling to selecting brands and products that offer sustainable alternatives. We work to minimize our environmental impact and strive to offer our clients solutions that also contribute to a greener future.

First headquarters in Alameda Urquijo, Bilbao

New headquarters in the Zamudio Technology Park, Building 208