The new center houses process R&D and remanufacturing facilities, spare parts, component engineering and demo lines.

With the refurbished equipment, the company also provides original documentation, genuine spare parts, software and component upgrade, and warranty and service support.

Engineers are trained at the original manufacturer's factories, Autron said. 

The company estimates the market for refurbished equipment will reach $500 million in 2005.

In a statement, C. L Tan, group executive chairman, said ""We have spent the last 1½ years tediously building on our product and process knowledge, market research in the industry and working closely with customers to understand their concerns, fears and needs. The rebuilt equipment division is an important high margin growth engine of our solutions business model and we intend to dominate this space for long time to come."

Autron provides electronics assembly equipment and services including distribution services and manufacturing.