L@B Brief - July 2025
Is the second-hand lab instruments market really benefitting users?
I AM very happy to tell you that we have had a number of new companies join GAMBICA in the last few months, these include Steribar, whose new member profile you can see in this issue, Esco Life Sciences, Vision Engineering and Fluid Science.
When new members join, I often ask them what they think are the big issues facing the industry. I was particularly struck by the response of Chris Moore, now MD of Esco Life Sciences, who many of you will know from his time with Appleton Woods. He responded:
“As a laboratory equipment manufacturer, we've observed a noticeable rise in second-hand and used equipment entering the market since the Covid pandemic. While the upfront cost savings may seem appealing, especially in today’s economic climate, these can quickly be offset by hidden costs over the equipment’s lifecycle. Issues such as lack of warranty, potential contamination, compliance risks, unexpected downtime, and limited manufacturer support. These can all compromise the efficiency and reliability of commercial and research labs.”
The extended period of ‘re-surfacing’ of consumables over-purchased during Covid has been an issue for many lab companies. It also feels as if there has been an increase in the number of companies trading in second hand lab equipment in recent years.
You can see how appealing it would be to cash strapped universities to buy much cheaper second hand equipment, but if you agree that doing so will affect the quality of their research, perhaps GAMBICA should be mounting a campaign to reach purchasers on this issue?
Let me know what you think.
Toodle pip!
Jacqueline
In this month's issue
Solutions in Science finds a new home
Life sciences plan sets real targets
GAMBICA urges government to act on China’s rare earth export ban
Laboratory Construction Update: New York, Coventry, Sydney, Alicante, Tianjin and Canada
Company news: Advanced tube reader company Steribar joins GAMBICA
Horiba opens UK analytical solution plaza
And: GAMBICA events, including shared cost training and Industry events, including a round up of exhibitions available to you in 2025