10 Things to Consider When Shopping for Industrial Equipment

Manufacturing businesses need to secure equipment like machines, tools, vehicles, and miscellaneous components.

04:55 03 August 2024

Manufacturing businesses need to secure equipment like machines, tools, vehicles, and miscellaneous components so that they can continue operations smoothly. If the business is going to succeed, the equipment needs to be durable, reliable, functional, safe, and relatively inexpensive.

Fortunately, the digital age has made it easy to shop and compare various pieces of industrial equipment. But what are the most important things to keep in mind when you're following this process?

Product Considerations

Product-level considerations vary wildly, depending on the exact type of product you’re buying. For example,centrifugal pumps are much different than industrial mixers, and require a totally different set of considerations.

However, there are some general qualities that you should examine when shopping for any piece of industrial equipment:

1. Size. Look at the size of the equipment you're considering and review the available dimensions of your space. In some applications, the fit needs to be as precise as possible. In others, you need some extra room. Either way, you need to be confident that the product you're buying is the appropriate size for your needs.
2. Function. Next, you'll need to think about the functionality of the equipment in question. Sometimes, subtle differences in the creation or presentation of a piece of equipment can drastically change what it's capable of. For example, you might be able to find variations of a piece of machinery that differ in terms of raw power. A lower-powered unit might be more expensive, making it initially more appealing, but you might need a higher-powered unit to get the job done.
3. Material. Don't forget to check the materials that the product is made of. Depending on the application, you may have specific needs; you may need something that's especially durable, capable of withstanding corrosion, or conductive of electricity. Common materials in industrial settings include stainless steel, plastic, cast iron, and ceramic, but these are only the beginning.
4. Price. Price may be another important factor to consider,especially if you’re just starting up. Oftentimes, if you're willing to shop around and negotiate, you can score a lower price for a functionally identical piece of industrial equipment. That said, it's important not to choose industrial equipment based solely on price, as price is usually correlated with functionality or quality. It's worth paying a bit more if you can get what you actually need.
5. Safety. Finally, examine the safety ratings and any special safety considerations with your industrial equipment. Safety should be your highest priority in a manufacturing setting, so you need to procure equipment you can fully trust.

Company and Support Considerations

You'll also need to think beyond the product and review the company offering it – as well as the circumstances of your purchase.

6. New vs. used. There may not be a company to review at all. That's because many manufacturing businesses benefit from shopping for used industrial equipment. Not all pieces of equipment can be bought used, but if it's a possibility for your application, this could save you a lot of money. In many cases, used equipment is in “like new” condition, but it could save you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars.
7. Craftsmanship. Pay attention to the craftsmanship applied to the creation of this piece of industrial equipment. Even seemingly reliable products, made from the best materials, can fail or fall apart unexpectedly if they weren't made with care. We often appreciate the modern digital era because of the number of options available to us, but unfortunately, this has also increased the number of low-quality products on the market.
8. Reputation. Reputation can be evaluated in a number of different ways. You can examine how the company is discussed publicly, the reviews and testimonials associated with the company, and even how the brand is treated within the industry. No matter what, you should screen your vendors on the basis of reputation in some way.
9. Warranties and guarantees. Many producers of industrial equipment offer warranties or guarantees to provide their customers with assurance and take accountability for the functionality of their products. While these aren't strictly necessary, it's a good idea to secure a warranty or guarantee if you want extra peace of mind.
10. Ongoing support. Finally, consider ongoing support. Is this company going to provide you with assistance or replace the product if you experience any issues? Are there customer service agents who would be available to answer your questions if you have any?

With these points to review, you should be in a much better position to choose the industrial equipment your company needs. If you're willing to invest a few extra hours, you can likely find a better fit for a better deal.