Why Supply Chain Shifts Are Driving Delays in New OEM Medical Equipment — And What Buyers Can Do About It

Across the healthcare industry, the supply chain for new OEM medical equipment continues to face significant disruption. While the pandemic-era bottlenecks have eased, long lead times, component shortages, and global manufacturing shifts are still slowing down delivery of essential equipment.

For hospitals, surgery centers, imaging groups, and labs, these delays are affecting project timelines, service expansions, and budget planning.

Here’s what’s driving the current instability — and how organizations are adapting.

📦 What’s Causing Delays in New OEM Medical Equipment?

1. Global Manufacturing Relocation

OEMs are restructuring production facilities, moving operations to new regions, or diversifying manufacturing bases to reduce geopolitical risk.
Impact: Temporary shutdowns, reduced production runs, and slower output.

2. Persistent Microchip & Component Shortages

Imaging, lab, and monitoring devices rely on highly specialized chips and components. While supply has improved, niche parts remain constrained.
Impact: A single missing component can delay an entire system.

3. Increased Demand for Diagnostic Equipment

Healthcare providers are expanding imaging and lab capabilities, especially in outpatient and ambulatory settings.
Impact: OEM production cannot keep pace with demand, stretching lead times months beyond expectations.

4. Logistics + Freight Volatility

Freight capacity, international customs slowdowns, and rising transportation costs continue to create inefficiencies.
Impact: Equipment stuck in transit, delayed installations, and unpredictable delivery dates.

⏳ How Long Are Buyers Waiting for New OEM Equipment?

Depending on the modality, buyers are experiencing:

• 3–6+ months for many imaging systems
• 4–12+ months for linear accelerators and cath labs
• Up to 9 months for high-volume lab analyzers
• 6–18 months for selected surgical systems

In short, the timeline for large equipment investments is longer — and more uncertain — than ever.

💡 How Providers Are Adapting to Supply Chain Uncertainty

1. Turning to the Secondary Market

Hospitals and clinics increasingly rely on pre-owned or refurbished imaging, lab, and surgical equipment to avoid long OEM wait times.

Benefits:

• Immediate availability
• Faster installation timelines
• Lower capital costs
• Easier expansion for high-demand services

2. Extending the Life of Existing Systems

Preventative maintenance, component repairs, and parts sourcing are helping facilities maximize current equipment while they wait.

3. Purchasing Backup Systems

To avoid downtime, some organizations are purchasing additional used units as redundancy for high-volume service lines.

🏁 The Bottom Line

OEM delays aren’t going away yet — but healthcare organizations aren’t waiting around.
The secondary market is filling the demand gap, providing faster, more flexible, and more cost-effective options for expanding services today.