Considerations When Purchasing Equipment

by Josh Seow

When purchasing equipment for a manufacturing facility, there are several issues to consider, including whether the machine (i.e., capsule filler, tablet press) is one that the company has the technical ability to operate.  Simply buying equipment is not going to produce a finished product; knowing how to manufacture the finished products is the key. That is why correct training is critical.

Most manufacturers will provide onsite training after installation of a new piece of equipment. Sometimes, this training is included in the price of the equipment, and sometimes this will be an additional cost. Other companies will also provide testing and training at their facilities, with only the travel expense. If it is a technical machine with a lot of moving parts, it is recommended the training be done at your facility so the operators can learn how to use and maintain the equipment in their environment and with their own tools.

Purchasing new equipment has additional benefits over used. Buying new equipment from the manufacturer will include a warranty on the machine for manufactured defects, and offering technical support over the phone or onsite can be priceless to any business. Some manufacturers have instruction manuals or DVD's, online training with troubleshooting tips, as well as parts manuals included with the machine or online. Most manufacturers sales reps and technicians will have experience with the same types of products the equipment is designed for. If this is a new process for your company, they can offer advice from their experiences to help it be successful. Any unscheduled down time is costly, so another important thing to consider is whether the manufacturer stocks all replacement parts. Having the part in stock could be the difference of being down a day or being down for a month. A manufacturer that has parts readily available could make the difference in meeting a production deadline. For some companies, that can make or break the decision to purchase the equipment or even whether to manufacture these types of products in house.

Buying used equipment is a great way to save money up front. But it can also cost more in the long run if you don't do your homework. Before purchasing used equipment, key personnel should find out as much as possible about the machine and keep in mind that parts and service are a priority. Among the critical questions to ask are: How old is it? Who manufactured it, and is that company still selling and servicing the equipment? Can I still get parts? Are there instruction manuals and technical support for this model? When was the equipment last used? What types of products where being run on it? Why is this equipment on the used market? Am I buying someone else's problems? Another concern with used equipment is whether it was used in a pharmaceutical company, as some drugs can leave an imprint in the metal, requiring professional cleaning to remove any residueif that's even possible.

Josh Seow is the vice president of sales and marketing for TES Equipment Supplier .