Our History
1951 Baker Founded
The company was first established by Art Baker as a response to the need for contamination control for the assembly of fine mechanical instruments and micro-electronics.
1951 World’s First Clean Air Cabinet Sets Industry Standard
Baker designs and builds the first clean air work station. Many of today’s industry standards for quality, performance and construction are based on original Baker concepts and innovations. Later that decade, Jack Eagleson joined the company and brought with him extensive experience with HEPA filter technology.
1962 Baker Originates High Velocity Return Air Slots
Baker, for years the only manufacturer of clean-air workspaces, introduces new concepts in airflow control leading to the introduction of the original High Velocity Return Air Slots on the patented EdgeGARD® clean bench. Today, the EdgeGARD® remains the most efficient horizontal flow clean bench in the industry.
1964 Baker Develops Momentum Air Curtain for Maximum Containment
Baker’s unique airflow design creates a more impenetrable air barrier or “momentum air curtain” at the front of the cabinet, increasing the cabinet’s protective capabilities. The Baker BioGARD® is one of the first biological safety cabinets to incorporate the momentum air curtain, which remains the most effective method of maintaining maximum containment in an open front cabinet.
1973 Baker Is First to Enhance Safety with Negative Pressure Plenum Surrounding Contaminated Positive Pressure
Based on a continuing commitment to research and testing, Baker dramatically improves biological safety cabinet standards with the development of SterilGARD®, the first cabinet to completely surround contaminated positive pressure plenums with negative pressure to enhance safety.
1975 In-House Microbiological Testing for Routine Performance Review
Baker is the first company in the industry to establish a state-of-the-art microbiological aerosol testing laboratory at its manufacturing facility. Baker remains the only company, which routinely performs extensive biological tests on all equipment made.
1979 Baker Is Chosen for NASA SpaceLab
Lockheed Aircraft Biosystems chooses Baker to design a general purpose biological safety cabinet for the SpaceLab shuttle flight.
1983 Definition of Performance Envelopes Maximize Personnel and Product Protection
Through extensive research and testing, Baker develops the concept of a performance envelope for biological safety cabinets, which maximizes personnel and product protection of each individual cabinet by establishing the optimum setpoint. Baker is the only manufacturer to test its products based on the principal of performance envelopes.
1989 Baker Establishes
The Eagleson Institute
Baker initiates formal industry education programs covering Class II biological safety cabinets. These unique training seminars, now conducted by the renowned Eagleson Institute, continue to provide vital information and instruction for researchers, safety officers, facility engineers, equipment certifiers, pharmacists and laboratory technicians from around the world.
1998 SterilGARD® III Advance°
Increases User Comfort and Safety
Baker introduces SterilGARD® III Advance, the industry’s most advanced, ergonomically styled Class II, Type A/B3 biological safety cabinet. This new cabinet design represents significant advances in user comfort and safety, along with the highest performance available from any biological safety cabinet on the market today.
1999 Baker Introduces Animal
Research Products
With the emergence of new technologies in the use of mammalian cell culture models, Baker develops and introduces a new line of biological safety cabinets and clean benches based on proven combinations of performance, ergonomics and cost containment. Designed to meet the needs of animal research and production laboratories, this new generation of products includes animal transfer and cage management platforms, necropsy and waste disposal stations to protect users and animals alike.
2002 Baker Leads the Industry in Reclassification of Terminology to Meet New NSF/ANSI Standard #49, 2002 for Class II Biological Safety Cabinet Types
When changes in the NSF/ANSI Standard 49 – 2002 were adopted in 2002, Baker Class II, Type A/B3 biological safety cabinets were re-classified as Class II, Type A2 cabinets in an effort to clarify performance and exhaust criteria. Baker publishes a comparative performance chart (Guide To Biological Safety Cabinets) to assist in understanding cabinet performance differentials and containment profiles.
2003 Baker Introduces Compounding Isolators For Pharmacy Safety
In response to increasing demand for improved safeguards in pharmacy compounding and cytotoxic chemical preparation, Baker introduces new glovebox cabinets to meet specific applications in hospitals, pharmacies and clinical treatment centers. The Baker ChemoSHIELD® glovebox with interchange creates better than Class 100 air quality within a negative pressure work area protecting both the user as well as the admixture in process. For product protection, the Baker SterilSHIELD® glovebox with interchange offers better than Class 100 air in a positive pressure work chamber that prevents airborne contaminants from migrating to the formulation from the pharmacy.
2008 Baker Releases the Energy Efficient SterilGARD® e3 Class II, Type A2, Vertical Flow Biological Safety Cabinet
The new SterilGARD® e3 (Energy Efficient Engineered) biological safety cabinet provides significant energy savings while maintaining the highest safety and performance standards. The SterilGARD® e3 is also the only BSC in the industry that offers the ReadySAFE mode: an idle mode that makes the cabinet instantly safe upon resuming work.
2011 Baker Introduces the BioChemGARD® e3, the Industry’s Most Energy Efficient, Total Exhaust Biological Safety Cabinet
The BioChemGARD® e3 Class II, Type B2 cabinet is engineered to operate with a reduced exhaust airflow and resistance. This minimizes noise, cuts the electrical power and static pressure requirements, while significantly reducing the volume of conditioned air exhausted from the laboratory. Together, Baker‘s exclusive technologies deliver an average reduction of 49% in a lab’s annual operating costs.
2011 Baker Acquired South Wales Based Ruskinn Technology Ltd
Ruskinn is renowned for its closed cell culture expertise, which Baker combines with its own aseptic processing and containment technologies.
2018 Baker Acquires CleanAir Ltd
The Baker Company has joined forces with Milo Bianchetti, former owner of Clean Air Techniek, to launch CleanAir by Baker. Through this venture, Baker has acquired the CleanAir brand, as well as the manufacturing and service business previously operated by Azbil Telstar. CleanAir is the leading supplier of laminar flow equipment within the Benelux market.
2018
At Baker, we maintain an unparalleled passion for helping our customers advance science, discovery, and clinical care. We also understand the complex challenges faced within the global scientific and biosafety community. By forging strategic relationships and aligning ourselves with specific sectors and research, we can ensure the successful growth of The Baker Company.
2022 Global Rebrand
A Bold New Chapter: Global Rebrand & Unified Vision
In 2022, The Baker Company unveiled its most significant transformation to date – a global rebrand designed to unify our identity, sharpen our purpose, and position us for the future. We introduced a refreshed logo, refined visual systems, and a modernized voice across all touchpoints – from product branding and marketing to digital platforms and customer communications. This rebrand reflects who we are today and where we are headed: grounded in our heritage of craftsmanship, driven by innovation, and committed to delivering excellence for customers around the world.
SterilGARD® NSF Relist
Renewed Assurance in Safety & Quality
In 2025, The Baker Company proudly achieved the NSF relisting for our SterilGARD® biosafety cabinet – reaffirming our commitment to safety, performance, and regulatory excellence. This relist verifies that SterilGARD® continues to meet the rigorous standards for containment and operator protection. Customers can trust that our products uphold the highest levels of design, testing, and reliability.