Across the country, innovative labs demonstrate that exceptional research doesn’t require unlimited budgets—just smart sourcing strategies. These seven examples highlight how reliance on surplus lab equipment enabled rapid scaling and breakthrough capabilities: A Boston-area synthetic biology startup outfitted a full NGS workflow for under $300k using liquidated sequencers and automation. A Midwestern university core facility […]
Category Archives: Buying and Selling Laboratory Equipment
Effective asset management is one of the most underutilized levers for improving lab efficiency and financial health. Forward-thinking lab managers now treat surplus equipment not as a disposal problem, but as a strategic opportunity—for both acquisition and revenue generation. Institutions across the country are generating significant returns by systematically liquidating underutilized instruments, while growing labs […]
As research institutions and companies strive to meet ambitious sustainability goals, one often-overlooked area offers significant impact: the lifecycle of laboratory equipment. Manufacturing a single high-end instrument—such as a mass spectrometer or next-generation sequencer—requires substantial energy, rare earth materials, and global shipping. Yet much of this equipment is replaced long before the end of its […]
The surplus lab equipment market follows predictable rhythms driven by institutional calendars and research funding cycles. Key periods of high volume include: June–July fiscal year-end closures and budget reconciliations. December grant sunsets and holiday-season relocations. March–April building moves and core-facility refresh cycles. Post-conference seasons when new model announcements trigger upgrades. Understanding these patterns allows buyers […]
The conclusion of major grants triggers one of the largest regular influxes of high-quality surplus lab equipment. As projects wrap, institutions must reallocate or redirect assets—creating opportunities for both sellers and buyers. Well-documented instruments from funded programs enter the market with complete histories, often barely used. Sellers recover significant value to support ongoing operations. Buyers […]
