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Equipment

Equipment

Secondhand Manufacturing Equipment (U.S.-Based)

A number of established marketplaces and dealers specialize in used industrial and manufacturing equipment, often at a fraction of new-equipment cost:

  • EquipNet: pre-owned industrial equipment across automotive, aerospace, metalworking, and plastics manufacturing
  • Surplus Record: large online marketplace for used, new, and surplus industrial machinery
  • Exapro: international marketplace for used machines and factory equipment
  • Kitmondo: industrial equipment marketplace for buying and selling used machinery
  • Machine Hub: listings for CNC machines, presses, and material-handling equipment
  • HGR Industrial Surplus: used machinery and surplus industrial equipment, new inventory daily
  • Gibbs Machinery: used industrial machinery dealer that also imports/exports equipment internationally
  • Bid on Equipment: auction-style marketplace for general manufacturing equipment

Overseas Equipment Manufacturers and Technology Transfer

Many equipment manufacturers, particularly in China and also in Japan and India, sell machinery for a wide range of production categories and include operator training and setup support as part of the purchase. This training is typically the fastest way for a first-time operator to gain real production know-how without prior manufacturing experience.

When evaluating an overseas equipment supplier, look for:

  • Whether installation and operator training are included in the purchase price or offered separately
  • Availability of spare parts and ongoing technical support from the U.S.
  • References from other U.S. buyers who have imported the same equipment line
  • Compliance with U.S. electrical, safety, and emissions standards

Distressed and Bankrupt-Company Assets

In some cases, used manufacturing equipment becomes available when an overseas manufacturing company closes or goes bankrupt, and local government or court-appointed authorities oversee the disposal of its assets. In China, that authority is typically handled at the prefecture level rather than by the county or city where the company was located, for example, a bankruptcy in a county-level city is often administered by the surrounding prefecture-level government (Suzhou administers asset matters for Kunshan, Jiangyin, and Changshu; Zhenjiang administers Danyang).

Sourcing equipment this way generally requires working through a local sourcing agent, trade attorney, or import broker familiar with the relevant jurisdiction’s asset-disposal and auction process, since procedures and points of contact vary by region and are not centrally listed. This is a specialized, research-intensive path best pursued with professional help rather than direct self-service.