Reconditioned Equipment for the Food Processing Sector
Food Processing
Manufacturing facilities run day in and day out, and eventually, every factory needs to replace its equipment. If you are in the food processing industry and you need to replace your equipment, should you buy new or reconditioned equipment? Refurbished food processing equipment is available to purchase, but will new equipment give you more longevity and overall quality? Do you have the budget to purchase all new equipment – and how soon will you see a return on that investment? There are many questions to be answered when it comes to sourcing equipment for your production floor. This article aims to answer some of those questions for you, whether you purchase new or reconditioned equipment. Let’s evaluate the advantages and disadvantages associated with both new and reconditioned equipment in ordder to bring you to the right decision for your business.
Food Processing: New vs. Reconditioned Equipment
What are the equipment requirements? Every piece of equipment has specific features, and your company likely needs specific features based on the application. You’ll need to consider any issues you experienced with your existing equipment and do some research to determine how a new piece of equipment may address those problems to allow more efficiency.
What is your new equipment budget? Once your budget is established, you’ll need to determine how much brand-new equipment will cost versus reconditioned options. All used equipment is not equal, so ask the equipment seller how long the equipment was previously in service, how cost-efficient the reconditioned equipment will be, and how much remaining life can be expected. You’ll also want to compare maintenance and repair costs. When you add up all the costs and consider all the variables, you’ll be able to find the best and most cost-effective option.
What reconditioning work has been done? When comparing reconditioned equipment, remember to ask about its usage history and what the reconditioning process entailed. Learn about any known history, any past issues, and what needed to be fixed. Be sure to ask about maintenance and warranty information from the seller.
Can the equipment be customized to suit your application? When you purchase brand new equipment, more often than not, “what you see is what you get.” But if your food processing facility requires a unique piece of equipment with specialized features, reconditioned equipment can be customized to suit your needs. Be sure to inquire about customization options when buying reconditioned equipment.
Understand repair and maintenance terms: When your equipment breaks down, everything grinds to a halt – and in today’s competitive environment, even a day or two of downtime can have devastating financial repercussions. Likewise, servicing and repairs can be expensive and consume large portions of your budget. Therefore, it is important to ask about service and maintenance terms – how fast can you expect a response? How much will repairs cost? Can the seller replace parts if necessary? How will they handle fixing parts that are no longer available?
Locating and choosing the appropriate industrial food processing equipment doesn’t have to be confusing – not when you enlist the help of Zwirner Equipment. We provide quality reconditioned stainless steel tanks and other equipment to keep your production line operational. Ask about our servicing and reconditioning options as well as our emergency services that protect you when unexpected situations arise. Visit our website to learn more about our stainless steel food processing equipment. Browse our inventory, and then give us a call. Zwirner Equipment Company is an expert in finding the right piece of equipment at the right price – and fabricating the pieces and parts to meet your requirements. Contact us today.
