Los Angeles has a growing and thriving medical community that services so many sectors. In this economic report, it was revealed that life sciences wholesale made up almost half of LA County establishments.
In the year 2016, LA County received nearly $900 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health.
Research and lab services employ over 30,000 persons in the area. That is an impressive number of folks and shows that the community can expand well over the next decade or two. It is a great time to open a laboratory in Los Angeles, and this article will show you where you can find all of the equipment you need and answer any questions you might have.
Getting the equipment you need is an expensive endeavor, especially if you are looking at brand new equipment and tools. Buying used lab equipment is the best way to go, but you need to be careful with what you buy.
What should you think about when buying used laboratory equipment?
The manufacture year is critical on some used equipment; it can determine how long it will last after you purchase it.
For instance, compressors on cold storage may last 8-10 years. If you are about to buy a cold storage unit that is nine years old, it’s a mistake. You do not want to purchase anything you will have to replace in a couple of years or less.
The serial number is also crucial as it can transfer any existing manufacturer warranty to your ownership. If a serial number is not on the machine and the seller cannot provide you with one, you should avoid purchasing the equipment.
Always ask how the reseller came to own the equipment.
Was it brand new and from the manufacturer? Did they buy it used? If so, was it from a reputable seller that provided all the information necessary for a solid sale?
Ideally, it’s great to get used equipment that was bought new by your reseller. If they bought it used, ask more questions regarding the condition it was in and the maintenance/repair schedule kept during their ownership.
Knowing where the machine was and how it was used is super important. Some labs may have used the equipment not meant for its intended purpose, thus negating any manufacturer’s warranty. It could also lessen the life of the machine.
At the same time, you don’t necessarily want to purchase machines used for something that does not match your specific needs. If you are looking for cold storage units for tissue samples, you may not want the one sold by a blood bank, or else you’ll need to clean it well.
Always ask for the servicing and maintenance records.
It helps you understand if the owners took care of the equipment correctly and if its shelf-life is on track or shortened. Service and maintenance records also let you know if the equipment needs more care than expected. You can inspect any number of factors that affect the overall piece of equipment: its environment, usage, previous damages, or repairs.
If a reseller cannot provide you with these records, we suggest avoiding buying the lab equipment. It’s a significant risk that no one should take, especially since lab equipment is a significant investment.
Now let’s take a look at the lab industry in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles has a stellar academic sector that rivals any other major biotech city. The biotech and biopharma industries in the area are growing each year steadily. Finding incubators and accelerators is relatively easy as well. Let’s review each in more detail.
Los Angeles encourages its community to explore life sciences, research, and laboratories. This is especially true in its youth! Science Academy STEM Magnet School is a seven-year school that gets young pupils excited and motivated to learn more about the STEM industry and its opportunities. This magnet school is supported by many big names, including President George W. Bush and NASA.
For the past 60+ years, UCLA Health has been a dominating force in the life sciences sector. UCLA Health is ranked #1 in California and fourth in the entire nation. Its function is to provide quality healthcare and support groundbreaking research and discovery in laboratories.
A tried and true staple of Los Angeles is the county health services. Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center began in 1878, servicing the county’s impoverished citizens. They also offer a vast medical library to students, county physicians, and USC Medical Center employees.
Los Angeles is quickly becoming a biotech leader and rivaling San Francisco and San Diego. It is reported that LA is quickly becoming the startup hub for emerging businesses. UCLA is among the top universities that support these startups. This bodes well for LA to become a biotech giant in Southern California.
There is a section of coastline that stretches from Los Angeles to San Diego. While many know the names of individual beaches, some might not know that this coastline is known as “Biotech Beach” in the world of biotechnology. This map shows all of the hotbed areas that feature biotechnology industries, pharmaceuticals, and medical device companies. The map is often featured at conventions and career fairs in the area.
The help of Cal State LA has strongly supported the Los Angeles biosphere. Cal State LA BioSpace seeks to promote a thriving bioscience community in the Los Angeles area. They offer a 5-week boot camp geared towards bioscience entrepreneurs. They also provide resources and facility space for those in need.
If you need an accelerator, Cedars-Sinai is your answer. Their focus is supporting all companies that are working to improve the healthcare sector. They provide funding, mentorship, and a network of investors and entrepreneurs.
For more information on local accelerators and incubators, Founder Institute provides a great list to peruse.
Besides understanding the academic and business communities related to lab equipment, it is also worth looking into Los Angeles’ labor market. This will help you gain a better understanding of the landscape. Next, determine a budget to ensure you cover all your costs, including equipment and labor.
One way to bring down your costs is to look for refurbished and used laboratory equipment; you might even want to check out your local lab equipment auction.
Finding lab equipment in the LA area is, fortunately, going to be pretty straightforward. One way is to look for a liquidation sale at one of the schools mentioned above. Or, you can check out the top two places:
This company is located in Van Nuys but services the surrounding areas, including Los Angeles. Aremco Scientific Company focuses on servicing labs with all their needs. Here you will find beakers, testers, glassware, pH papers and meters, and balances.
That is not all; you will also find hydrometers, scales, rubber stoppers, tongs and clamps, and thermometers. And if you need dispensers, safety glasses, and gloves, they have those, too.
You can consider Aremco your one-stop-shop for all your lab needs.
This company launched in 1984 and continues to provide high-quality service with their products. Their certified technicians have 25 years of experience and maintain instruments at peak working order. Vellab Bio-Medical Laboratory Services is the perfect spot to buy incubators, vacuum ovens, anaerobic chambers, chillers, and ultra-low temperature freezers. They also offer bead baths, water baths, and climate chambers. Most of these machines are made of stainless steel for easy cleaning and care.
Vellab Bio-Medical takes it one step further by offering repairs, calibrations, and preventative maintenance.
While Los Angeles is most commonly known for its beaches and movie stars, the city is quickly becoming a hub of biotechnology and life science. We reviewed the city’s robust lab equipment industry and how to find refurbished or used equipment. Los Angeles can help you jumpstart your research and help you find all sorts of laboratory equipment.
Starting a list of your own lab equipment you need to procure? Take a look at some of the key pieces of equipment you should consider:
Clinical/Histology/Pathology Equipment
Don’t stress over the financing necessary to get your needs. Call Excedr and talk with a financial expert about your options. We can help you procure all your laboratory needs without having to pay top prices.
Explore our leasing options, and let us help you get started today!
