Dover Motion
Precision motion systems and linear/rotary stages for OEM integration in life sciences, diagnostics, microscopy, and factory automation; delivers prototypes-to-production solutions with custom and standard platforms.
- CEO / Founder
- Cathy Clausen
- Team Size
- 51-200
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- Undisclosed
- Latest Round
- Acquired
- Key Investors
- Danaher Corporation (2002, acquired Dover Instrument Corp; combined with NEAT); Invetech (2014, acquired Dover Motion division); Fortive Corporation (parent post-2016 Danaher spin-off); Rallient (current parent company as of late 2023)
Technology & Products
Key Products
SmartStage XY & Z series (compact, high-precision XYZ stages); DOF-5 Objective Focusing Stage (patented flexure-based focusing; FDA-approved in digital pathology); Standard linear positioning stages (XY, Z-axis); Rotary positioning stages; Custom motion solutions and automation systems; Motion control software and embedded systems
Technological Advantage
Proprietary flexure-based direct-drive technology provides superior precision and reliability vs. piezo actuators in critical applications; vertical integration of design + manufacturing + control software reduces OEM risk; established track record with Fortune 500 life sciences companies; 22,000+ installed systems globally; FDA-approved products in high-value diagnostics segment (e.g., cervical cancer screening dominance for 15+ years post-2005).
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Complete motion solution suite reducing OEM time-to-market and design complexity; custom engineering + standard components; 50+ years of precision manufacturing expertise; serves applications requiring high reliability in constrained/demanding environments (cleanrooms, vacuums, humidity, outer space).
How They Differentiate
50+ years of precision motion expertise vs. newer competitors; proprietary flexure-based direct-drive technology; integrated design + manufacturing + control software reducing OEM integration complexity; established relationships with top-tier life sciences OEMs; FDA-approved products; ISO 13485 certification; Danaher/Fortive backing provides scale and manufacturing discipline.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in life sciences, diagnostics, medical devices, digital pathology, and industrial automation
Industry Verticals
Life Sciences; Medical Devices; Digital Pathology & Diagnostics; Microscopy & Imaging; Industrial Automation; Factory Automation
Competitors
Nippon Pulse America (motion control, similar target markets); Siskiyou Group (microscopy & optical positioning systems); AutomaTech (automation systems); Headwall (imaging/hyperspectral positioning); National Resource Management (industrial automation)
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
50+ year operational history; 22,000+ systems installed globally; 80 employees (2025); estimated revenue $21.5M (Kona Equity); revenue-per-employee exceeds industry average according to Kona Equity; installed base working reliably in demanding environments (cleanrooms, vacuums, humidity, outer space).
Major Milestones
1969: Company founding; 1999: NEAT sold to public Kollmorgen Corporation; 2002: Danaher acquires Dover Instrument Corp; merges with NEAT to form Dover Motion; 2005: DOF-5 flexure-based stage achieves FDA approval; digital pathology instrument dominates cervical cancer screening for 15+ years; 2014: Joins Invetech (full-spectrum product realization company); 2016: Fortive spins off from Danaher; Dover Motion becomes part of Fortive/Invetech portfolio; 2019: DOF-5 wins Design World LEAP Bronze Award; Recent: SmartStage XY and Z series development (compact 50mm travel form factor)
Notable Customers
NanoView Biosciences (cell imaging); Unnamed Fortune 500 life sciences companies; Digital pathology OEMs (FDA-approved product integration); Microscopy instrument manufacturers