Richard Jafrato, General Manager of Haier Biomedical UK, in conversation with Unmesh Lal, Director, Frost & Sullivan
From Distributor to Market Leader
When the cold storage division of Labtech International and Richard Jafrato were acquired by Haier Biomedical in 2016, the company was a small distributor with just three employees and £400,000 in turnover. Nine years later, it has grown into a trusted life sciences partner with 33 employees, £8.2 million in annual revenue, and a reputation for customer-centric innovation.
Haier Biomedical UK’s story mirrors the transformation of life sciences itself — from cold chain distribution to an integrated partner supporting biobanks, universities, the National Health Service (NHS), and global pharma companies. Under Richard’s leadership, the business has scaled with consistent double-digit growth while navigating the complexities of a competitive market.
“We are not just selling boxes. We partner with customers throughout the lifecycle, ensuring service, compliance, and innovation.”
— Richard Jafrato, General Manager, Haier Biomedical UK
A Global Powerhouse with Local Agility
Unmesh Lal: How does being part of Haier Biomedical globally give you an edge in the UK?
Richard Jafrato: Haier Biomedical is not just a UK success story. Globally, it is the world’s only complete cold chain provider, with solutions spanning from +4°C medical fridges to -196°C LN2 storage. The company operates in more than 150 countries, employs over 800 R&D engineers, and holds 1,600+ patents.
This global scale ensures access to cutting-edge innovation, while the UK team provides agility, responsiveness, and customer intimacy. For clients, this means the best of both worlds: the security of a multinational combined with the flexibility of a local partner.
Differentiation in a Crowded Market
Unmesh Lal: What differentiates Haier Biomedical in the UK market?
Richard Jafrato: Many of our competitors focus purely on selling equipment. Our strength lies in flexibility, service, and customer partnerships. We design fit-for-purpose solutions, customize products when needed, and stay with our customers throughout the lifecycle.
Whether it’s developing bespoke biosafety cabinets for Queen Mary University or integrating RFID [Radio Frequency Identification]-enabled fridges for NHS Trusts, our goal is to provide more than a product — we deliver reliability, compliance, and long-term value.
“Our competitors often sell equipment and walk away. We stay with the customer — from delivery to service, compliance, and lifecycle support.”
Real-World Impact: Case Studies
Unmesh Lal: Can you share some examples of how Haier has supported customers in real-world scenarios?
Richard Jafrato: Haier Biomedical’s value proposition becomes clear when looking at real-world scenarios:
- UK Biocentre (COVID-19 Response): During the pandemic, Haier supplied ultra-low freezers at scale to the UK Biocentre, ensuring millions of samples were stored safely for testing programs that underpinned national strategy.
- NHS Trusts: Haier delivered refrigeration and biosafety solutions on urgent timelines, meeting the needs of hospitals and blood banks where reliability and compliance were non-negotiable.
- Academic Partnerships: Universities such as Queen Mary University of London and Oxford rely on Haier for lab infrastructure, citing its flexibility and strong service capabilities.
These partnerships demonstrate how Haier adapts to customer needs while maintaining quality and reliability.
Three Drivers of Growth in Life Sciences
Unmesh Lal: Where do you see the biggest opportunities for growth?
Richard Jafrato: There are three areas driving growth for Haier and the broader life sciences industry:
- Cell & Gene Therapy – The rise of advanced therapies is driving demand for scalable, automated storage and traceable cold chain systems. Haier is expanding its capabilities to support this shift.
- Digital Integration – AI-driven monitoring, IoT [Internet of Things]-enabled equipment, RFID sample tracking, and interoperability with LIMS [Laboratory Information Management Systems] are redefining compliance and efficiency. Our systems are designed for seamless integration.
- Sustainability & ESG [Environmental, Social, and Governance] – Healthcare must decarbonize, and our solutions help. Our Ultra-Eco -80 freezers reduce energy use by 50%, while our proprietary low-GWP [Global Warming Potential] foams and recyclable components minimize environmental impact.
“We are investing in products that reduce energy consumption, minimize environmental impact, and still deliver clinical reliability.”
Competing on Value, Not Just Price
Unmesh Lal: NHS and biobank customers are often cost-sensitive. How do you compete?
Richard Jafrato: For many buyers, price is critical. But when dealing with patient samples or research that represents years of investment, reliability matters more. We combine fit-for-purpose design, OEM manufacturing, and stock availability with service excellence.
NHS customers value compliance and affordability, while biobanks like UK Biocentre trust our ability to deliver at scale, even under pressure. Customers may come for competitive pricing, but they stay for trust, service, and reliability.
People at the Heart of Growth
Unmesh Lal: What role have people and culture played in Haier UK’s success?
Richard Jafrato: Behind Haier Biomedical UK’s transformation is its people. From three employees in 2016, the team has grown to 33, with service engineers at the core of customer relationships.
The company culture emphasizes ownership, empowerment, and continuous learning. Engineers are not just technicians; they are advisors who ensure systems run optimally. Investment in training and career growth ensures Haier’s workforce keeps pace with technological change.
“Our people are our biggest differentiator. Equipment can be copied, but culture and customer service cannot.”
From Cold Chain to Complete Ecosystem
Unmesh Lal: How do you see Haier evolving in the next five years?
Richard Jafrato: By 2030, our ambition is to move beyond being an equipment supplier to becoming a healthcare ecosystem partner. This means:
- Expanding into automation and robotics for sample handling.
- Building AI-powered cold chain solutions with predictive analytics.
- Supporting global cell & gene therapy pipelines with end-to-end solutions.
- Leveraging Haier Group’s M&A strategy to create integrated healthcare platforms.
“Our vision is to create an integrated healthcare ecosystem, powered by R&D, digitalization, and sustainability.”
Challenges and Industry Consolidation
Unmesh Lal: What challenges are on your radar?
Richard Jafrato: The two biggest challenges are:
- Scaling Globally – Competing with established incumbents while maintaining agility and independence.
- Data Integration – Breaking down silos between lab equipment, digital monitoring systems, and healthcare IT.
We also anticipate industry consolidation. Right now, there are hundreds of companies in biomedical equipment and digital health. By 2030, only a few dozen will dominate globally, echoing the dot-com shakeout. Those who combine scale, breadth, and customer trust will thrive and we intend to be one of them.
Innovation and Continuous Improvement
Unmesh Lal: How do you ensure Haier stays innovative and responsive to customers?
Richard Jafrato: Innovation must be constant. We do this by:
- Maintaining a robust in-house R&D pipeline.
- Conducting post-market surveillance to prevent AI or product drift.
- Having a customer success team that proactively identifies opportunities for clients. For example, when hospitals or pharma partners reach milestones where data can be leveraged for new studies.
We also emphasize experimentation and resilience. Not every innovation works on the first attempt, but our culture ensures we learn quickly and move forward.
Final Thoughts
Unmesh Lal: What’s your message to the life sciences community?
Richard Jafrato: The future of healthcare will be shaped by companies that go beyond equipment sales and become trusted partners. Customers want sustainability, digital innovation, and lifecycle service. If we empower them with reliable, efficient, and future-ready solutions, we accelerate science and improve lives.
At Haier Biomedical, that’s the transformation we are committed to delivering.
Richard Jafrato is the General Manager of Haier Biomedical UK, a leader in biomedical cold chain and digital life-science solutions. With over 30 years in laboratory and life-science equipment, he has grown Haier UK from a three-person start-up to a high-growth team of 33, serving biobanks, NHS organizations, universities, and global pharma. Under his leadership, the company has earned awards including the “Supplier Excellence Award” and Global Health & Pharma’s “Most Innovative Sustainable Digital Healthcare Company” (2023). A recognized leader in standardization, Richard champions digital integration, customer-focused innovation, and environmental stewardship.About Unmesh Lal
Unmesh Lal brings over 20 years of experience in healthcare strategy and consulting, with a focus on global life sciences and precision health. He specializes in identifying transformative technologies, innovative business models, and growth opportunities across pharmaceutical contract services. A recognized thought leader, Unmesh has authored key industry insights and presented at leading global events including J.P. Morgan, Bio-Asia, and Bio-IT World. He holds a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor.
Join the Movement: Advancing Life Sciences with Purpose
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Appendix: Advancing Life Sciences with Purpose
For readers seeking deeper insights into the trends, technologies, and market dynamics shaping the future of life sciences and regenerative medicine, the following Frost & Sullivan thought leadership pieces complement Haier Biomedical’s mission to deliver innovation, reliability, and sustainability:
📌 Global Pharmaceutical Industry Outlook, 2025
📌 Innovative AI-enabled Clinical Trial Companies: Strategic Profiling and Growth Opportunities
📌 Growth Opportunities in Global Biotech Investment
📌 Growth Opportunities in Biologics Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations
