Packaging machines are the best tool to ensure safe and effective product packaging. Your chosen packaging format will be the deciding factor. However, the number of companies offering similar equipment might seem overwhelming. How do you compare different technologies, prices, and quality? These are the seven most important things to remember when embarking on a buyer’s journey.
It is best to avoid purchasing packaging machinery last minute. The most crucial decision-making elements are price and lead time, probably the two worst metrics for business decisions. A plan allows you Toast bread slicing and packaging machine to have a complete packaging design on paper and execute it in phases. Start with the items that provide the fastest ROI.
Because it doesn’t require additional training, upgrading current machinery is an excellent option for crucial maintenance, cleaning, and machine operation personnel. You can also ask them for their feedback and suggestions to help you make the best decision about purchasing new equipment. Asking other manufacturers to share their experience with similar equipment is an excellent idea if it’s new to you or your staff. People will often tell you which vendors do a good job, and which ones are doing a terrible job. Another option is to seek the advice of an independent technical advisor.
Before contacting vendors, you should know your needs and what you are looking to do to improve your packaging. Are you looking to increase productivity? Do you desire to innovate and offer your product in new packaging? Are you looking to expand your market reach with the machine?
Although packaging machinery is more versatile than ever, you should remember that it cannot do everything. You can bet that there would be setbacks in set-up times or changeovers even if they could. These will result in both time and money for you and your skilled technicians.
While we all desire a better deal on our purchases, you will always get what you paid for. Machinery pricing is more than just components and the labor needed to assemble them. There are overhead costs, engineering time, and technical writing, as with any business. Any compromise on any one of the above can lead to poor after-sales service, including inadequate documentation, inaccurate information for spare parts, patent infringement, or sub-standard equipment performance.
Even though some low-priced machinery may be of good quality, most problems stem from a lack of technical support. Can you get certified technicians to repair this machinery? Is it possible to find parts such as sensors and motors locally? Can you order parts in any size and change them to ensure they work with your machine? Is the manufacturer able to meet safety and electrical standards? The purchase will allow your company to amortize the cost over a set period. Some banks will finance more equipment than the actual value to cover extra expenses like integration, shipping, and commissioning.
Leasing is a way to save money and maintain your financial flexibility. The equipment will not be yours and you may have to pay more if you want it back. Packaging equipment can be rented for shorter-term needs such as specific contracts.