30 years of innovation in HPLC autosampling and online SPE
In 1982 Willem (Wim) Smink and Ger de Pee started "Smink and de Pee Analytical Requirements Klijndijk" or SPARK Holland. This event was caused by the bankruptcy of Kipp Analytica in 1982, where Wim and Ger were Sales & Marketing manager and R&D manager respectively. Kipp Analytica was established in 1977 in Emmen by Kipp & Zonen and Enraf Nonius (now Delft Instruments) to develop systems for GC and HPLC. Kipp had just completed the development of an advanced automated gradient LC-UV system, when investors decided to stop funding the company. Wim, who was already working on serious sales opportunities in the HPLC market, decided to invest in a start up and asked Ger to join.
Starting in Wim's garage, the company has since then evolved into a world-class provider of innovative sample introduction, extraction and separation technology for analytical systems such as HPLC, MS, GC and NMR. Our installed base of OEM autosamplers will this year (2010) exceed the 25,000 mark, while more than 1,000 automated online SPE systems are now operational around the globe.
1982 -1985
![[1982] SpH 125 autosampler for HPLC One of the first autosamplers for HPLC on the market. Full loop injections only. 125 vial capacity! (pneumatically driven instrument)](/previews/2010/7/19/media_172_41398_w100_h117_crop.jpg "[1982] SpH 125 autosampler for HPLC One of the first autosamplers for HPLC on the market. Full loop injections only. 125 vial capacity! (pneumatically driven instrument)")
![[1982] SpH 99 column oven The first forced-air column oven for HPLC ranging from 3-99°C. Cryo-bath connectors for cooling down to 3°C with circulating coolant](/previews/2010/7/19/media_172_41401_w100_h117_crop.jpg "[1982] SpH 99 column oven The first forced-air column oven for HPLC ranging from 3-99°C. Cryo-bath connectors for cooling down to 3°C with circulating coolant")
![[1983] SpH 9210 column switching unit First instrument for multidimensional HPLC or column switching for on-line sample clean-up (pneumatically driven)](/previews/2010/7/19/media_172_41403_w100_h117_crop.jpg "[1983] SpH 9210 column switching unit First instrument for multidimensional HPLC or column switching for on-line sample clean-up (pneumatically driven)")
![[1984] SpH 125 DDS autosampler Predecessor of SpH 125. Now featuring programmable injection volume using a unique Digital Dispensing System for sample aspiration. (pneumatically driven instrument).](/previews/2010/7/19/media_172_41404_w100_h117_crop.jpg "[1984] SpH 125 DDS autosampler Predecessor of SpH 125. Now featuring programmable injection volume using a unique Digital Dispensing System for sample aspiration. (pneumatically driven instrument).")
![[1985] AMOR Amperometric detector with easy exchangeable electrodes. Sub-pg sensitivity for catecholamines. In 1990 this product became part of Antec Leyden’s portfolio.](/previews/2010/7/19/media_172_41405_w100_h117_crop.jpg "[1985] AMOR Amperometric detector with easy exchangeable electrodes. Sub-pg sensitivity for catecholamines. In 1990 this product became part of Antec Leyden’s portfolio.")
1986-1990
![[1986] PROMIS First micro-processor controlled HPLC autosampler with freely programmable injection volumes, integrated column switching and pre-column derivatization device. First pneumatically driven, later made electrical.](/previews/2010/7/19/media_172_41410_w100_h117_crop.jpg "[1986] PROMIS First micro-processor controlled HPLC autosampler with freely programmable injection volumes, integrated column switching and pre-column derivatization device. First pneumatically driven, later made electrical.")
![[1987] PROSPEKT System for on-line SPE using proprietary LC-pressure resistant disposable SPE cartridges. System consists of an Automated Cartridge Exhance module (ACE) with pneumatic cartridge clamp and a Solvent Delivery Unit (SDU) for SPE solvents](/previews/2010/7/19/media_172_41414_w100_h117_crop.jpg "[1987] PROSPEKT System for on-line SPE using proprietary LC-pressure resistant disposable SPE cartridges. System consists of an Automated Cartridge Exhance module (ACE) with pneumatic cartridge clamp and a Solvent Delivery Unit (SDU) for SPE solvents")
![[1987] MUST Successor of the SpH 9210 with microprocessor based event programming.](/previews/2010/7/19/media_172_41425_w100_h117_crop.jpg "[1987] MUST Successor of the SpH 9210 with microprocessor based event programming.")
![[1988] Marathon Workhorse HPLC autosampler. Professional industrial design will be a leading aspect in our product development from now on. Engineered for production in large numbers. First version was pneumatically driven, later version made electrical.](/previews/2010/7/19/media_172_41426_w100_h117_crop.jpg "[1988] Marathon Workhorse HPLC autosampler. Professional industrial design will be a leading aspect in our product development from now on. Engineered for production in large numbers. First version was pneumatically driven, later version made electrical.")
1991-1995
![[1991] Mistral Successor of the SpH 99. Advanced, high precision, low gradient column temperature control from 4° - 99°C. Using built-in peltier technology for cooling.](/previews/2010/7/19/media_172_41427_w100_h117_crop.jpg "[1991] Mistral Successor of the SpH 99. Advanced, high precision, low gradient column temperature control from 4° - 99°C. Using built-in peltier technology for cooling.")
![[1993] Triathlon Advanced, versatile autosampler with high precision syringe. Micro-version was able to inject 0.1 µl with high precision. Introduction of our PASA concept.](/previews/2010/7/19/media_172_41428_w100_h117_crop.jpg "[1993] Triathlon Advanced, versatile autosampler with high precision syringe. Micro-version was able to inject 0.1 µl with high precision. Introduction of our PASA concept.")
1996-2000
2001 - 2005
![[2003] Symbiosis,Prospekt 2 integrated into a complete system for on-line SPE-LC, including LC-pumps and autosampler. Can do LC, SPE-LC and Advanced Method Development](/previews/2010/7/29/media_172_42208_w100_h117_crop.jpg "[2003] Symbiosis,Prospekt 2 integrated into a complete system for on-line SPE-LC, including LC-pumps and autosampler. Can do LC, SPE-LC and Advanced Method Development")
2006-2010
![[2005] ALIASâ„¢ is a generic autosampler for HPLC and LC-MS using state-of-the-art injection technology with fast injection and wash cycles. Its compact, stackable design and unrivalled performance make the ALIASâ„¢ autosampler the best fit for your HPLC](/previews/2010/7/23/media_172_41873_w100_h117_crop.jpg "[2005] ALIASâ„¢ is a generic autosampler for HPLC and LC-MS using state-of-the-art injection technology with fast injection and wash cycles. Its compact, stackable design and unrivalled performance make the ALIASâ„¢ autosampler the best fit for your HPLC")
![[2010] Optimas, main stream autosampler, packed with the Spark's core injection technology.png](/previews/2010/7/23/media_172_41874_w100_h117_crop.jpg "[2010] Optimas, main stream autosampler, packed with the Spark's core injection technology.png")