For some industrial and commercial operations, buying used laboratory equipment just makes sense. There are benefits to buying new, but at the same time, new laboratory equipment can cost tens of thousands of dollars (or more) while offering only marginally superior performance (if not the same) as used laboratory equipment.

Here at HiTechTrader, we’ve been outfitting commercial and industrial laboratories with used lab equipment for over 40 years. Here’s what we offer, and when and why buying used can be beneficial.

What We Sell

HiTechTrader leads the industry in terms of used laboratory equipment, not only in the scope of the systems we represent but also with respect to the number of manufacturers represented.

We specialized in providing commercial and industrial laboratory equipment for the following applications.

• Analytical Instruments and Equipment:
  • Mass spectrometers
  • Spectrometers
  • Thermal analysis
  • Gas chromatography (GC)
  • High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

• Biotechnology and Life Sciences Equipment:
  • Animal research products (cages, plethysmometers, pulse generators, etc.)
  • Biotechnology products (rotators, shakers, stirrers, thermal cyclers, microplates, etc.)
  • Fermentation accessories
  • Incubators

• Used Laboratory Equipment:
  • Air tables
  • Balances
  • Circulating baths
  • Centrifuges
  • Cooling units
  • Distillation systems
  • Evaporators
  • Extractors
  • Furnaces
  • Heaters
  • Glassware
  • Microwaves
  • Ovens
  • Printers
  • Pumps
  • Vacuums
  • Washers
  • And much more

• Process Equipment:
  • Centrifuges
  • Extruders
  • Homogenizers
  • Cutters
  • Mixing tanks
  • Screw feeders
  • Scrubbers
  • Vibrator feeders
  • And much more

Used Laboratory Equipment: Manufacturers We Represent

In addition, we represent some of the top manufacturers in the industry, including but not limited to:

• Hielscher Ultrasonics
• Agilent
• HEL Group
• Eppendorf
• Parr Instruments
• Parker Autoclave
• ThermoFisher Scientific
• Welch

When and Why Used Laboratory Equipment Makes Sense

For operators and supervisors of industrial and commercial facilities, the quality of output often depends on the stringent protocol of processes paired with the utilization of high-quality lab equipment.

Sometimes, it just makes more sense to buy used laboratory equipment rather than new systems. Here’s how it all breaks down.

Because You’re Outfitting a New Lab and Want to Save Costs and Use Familiar Equipment

If your lab has been using specific systems for a long time and wants to reoutfit with the same systems, used is the way to go. This could be because the system in question is no longer produced or simply to cut costs and guarantee uniformity.

Because Your Current Lab Equipment Is Getting Outdated

If your lab equipment becomes outdated, there are two important things you need to keep in mind.

One is that within a year (or within the first few years) of use, laboratory equipment can lose a substantial portion of its market value, but not its utility. The other is that new equipment incurs a premium.

Buying used laboratory equipment to replace outdated models can potentially secure system utility at a lower price.

Because Availability Is a Prime Concern

Sometimes, order fulfillment is a huge problem for industrial laboratory equipment manufacturers, especially when they have limited or regulated production capabilities and are faced with high demand.

Used inventories of laboratory equipment can sometimes (but not always) be much more forgiving and able to fill larger order demands in shorter time frames.

When You Want to Invest in an Eco-Friendly Option

Buying used laboratory equipment contributes to the concept of a circular economy and helps eliminate post-industrial waste. Laboratory equipment can be difficult and expensive to dispose of and can potentially even contain environmentally harmful components.

Moreover, buying used creates a demand for used equipment that will help ease the disposal burden. You can even look into selling your old lab equipment to help offset the costs of the refresh while keeping the waste under control.

When Cost Savings Are Important

This is arguably the most important and attractive consideration to most facilities managers in the market for used laboratory equipment. The bottom line is the proverbial bottom line: used systems are cheaper.

Any time that cost is a chief consideration, it makes sense at least to budget for and weigh the costs of purchasing used lab equipment instead of new systems.

When Learning Curve Efficiencies Are Important

For better or worse, even with extensive training, learning the “ins and outs” of new or unfamiliar laboratory equipment is a significant investment in time and human resources.

Buying a new system may improve your process controls, but you have to also consider that it will take your staff time to learn how to properly use and monitor the system.

Buying used - for instance the exact same system, or one that is similar enough - can help your crews achieve economies of scale much more quickly, resulting in a smaller adverse impact on efficiency and production.

When Process Controls Are Critical

Not all laboratory equipment is created equal. There is likely a reason your laboratory has remained loyal to a specific type of machine or brand of manufacturing equipment. They all do things slightly differently and uphold unique standards.

Sometimes, the best replacement is one that can do things “exactly the same.” If that’s the case, used lab equipment may make the most sense.

When You’re Replacing a Unit and Want the Exact Same System

Last but not least, sometimes the only suitable replacement is one that is not really a replacement at all, but the same exact system.

If, for whatever reason, you need to replace your current laboratory systems with the exact same models (for instance, if one is no longer in production) then used laboratory equipment may be your only viable option.

HiTechTrader: Quality Used Laboratory Equipment Since 1982

For over 40 years, HiTechTrader has furnished scientists and laboratories across the country with industry-leading systems from the most respected manufacturers in the world. Our catalog consists of (but is not limited to) analytical instruments (such as those for thermal analysis and spectrometry), biotechnology systems (incubators and ovens), process equipment, and a wide range of laboratory equipment, such as centrifuges, circulating baths, microscopes, furnaces, heaters, and much more.

We offer the top quality systems from the top manufacturers at the best prices. For more information on our used laboratory equipment, please feel free to contact us at 609-518-9100 or Sales@HiTechTrader.com.