ECS/MDL History and Philosophy
About ECS, Inc. .....
Environmental Consulting and Supplies, Inc. (ECS) was established early in 1991 to provide high quality analytical standards and customized consulting services for Environmental Laboratories. With the advent of MDL Systems, Inc. in 1994, the focus of ECS turned exclusivley to the manufacturing of high quality analytical standards for EPA GC/MS protocols.
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Analytical Standards for EPA Methods 624/8240/TCLP/CLP
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Analytical Standards for EPA Methods 8260
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Analytical Standards for EPA Methods 625/8270/TCLP/CLP
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Analytical Standards for EPA Methods 524.2 Rev. 4
Mark Ferry, the founder and President of ECS, has over 26 years experience as an analyst, manager and consultant to a host of commercial labs nation-wide. He has developed and implemented many techniques for optimizing GC and GC/MS systems. His areas of expertise are EPA 500, 600 and 8000 series GC and GC/MS, specializing in Hewlett-Packard/Agilent and Tekmar hardware and software systems.
Our philosophy regarding GC/MS standards (We call it "Standards the ECS Way")
Many of our customers have selected us as their primary source for GC/MS analytical standards. Our clients continue to do business with us because of the advantages we offer over other suppliers. Here are just a few of the unique benefits our company has to offer:
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All of our ampulized standards are sold at 1.5 mL portions.
The reason is simple: the shelf life of a volatile mix is greater if it is transferred into a vial with minimal headspace. 1.5 mL portions (as opposed to the industry standard 1.0 mL) are clearly superior.
All ampulized standards come with a pre-labeled "transfer/storage vial".
We want to make the transfer of ampulized standards as easy as possible. Our nationwide study indicated that a pre-labeled storage vial was a major benefit to analysts. The labeled vial includes the catalogue number, lot number, product description and expiration date. It saves the analyst a great deal of time and offers our customers convenience.
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We offer 1.8 mL vials and cost-effective 5.5 mL bottles for Semivolatile mixes.
Many of our customers find it to be more cost-effective and convenient to purchase their analytical standards in bottles rather than in 1.5 mL ampules. This packaging alternative provides greater volume at a lower price.
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The concentrations of our mixes have been optimized. Virtually all mixes are sold at concentrations of 1000 ppm or higher, with most at 2000 ppm.
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We have maintained low prices.
We realize that budgets are generally tight in environmental labs. ECS has maintained low prices while still providing top-notch service and stringent QA/QCs. All of our analytical standards come with an analysts notebook sticker, Certificate of Analysis and an actual generated chromatogram of that lot free of charge.
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Our service and commitment to helping our customers remains unmatched.
ECS is unique from other suppliers. Because we have provided extensive on-site consulting (and continue to do so through our sister company MDL Systems, Inc.), our improvements come directly from suggestions and discussions with our customers.
Our ultimate goal is to educate our customers so that they can improve production and become more efficient in their work.
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We also believe in rewarding our good customers.
Loyal Customer Discount Program
About the ECS logo: .....
In 1993 ECS established the lantern as its official logo. Based on a Led Zeppelin mural in which the truth-seeking hermit is carrying a lantern to show the way, it seemed to fit what we are trying to do. As consultants, it is our job to enlighten our clients so as to improve their data and increase their profitability!
About MDL Systems, Inc. .....
MDL Systems, Inc., which was formed in November 1994 is an instrument service company specializing in gas chromatography and mass spectrometers. We deal predominantly with Hewlett-Packard, Tekmar, and Varian Archon products. MDL provides on-site service calls, service contracts, method development, training and system upgrades.
MDL can diagnose and repair hardware, software, and applications problems at reasonable prices. The main goal of our company is to help our clients maximize overall performance and production.
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Service Agreements on GC and GC/MS systems
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Methods Development for most EPA 500, 600 and 8000 series methods
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On-Site training for most EPA 500, 600 and 8000 series methods
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As-needed service calls on GC and GC/MS systems
John Pickens, President of MDL Systems, has over 28 years of GC and GC/MS experience and has been "Director of Instrument Services"
for an instrumentation sales and service company prior to forming MDL Systems. His areas of expertise include repair of H-P (now Agilent), Tekmar and Archon hardware and software systems.