Is It Time to Replace Your Old Manufacturing Equipment?

In the manufacturing industry, time can quite literally equal money. For many people, their business operates on tight margins, and making sure that their equipment is running smoothly can make all of the difference in product yield. If a key piece of equipment suddenly malfunctions or stops working properly, it can have devastating repercussions for the business. Not only has productivity ground to a complete halt, but the time taken to repair or replace it means that the business is no longer generating revenue until the problem is fixed. Before your company is dealt a devastating blow due to issues with old or faulty equipment, it’s important to know the signs that your equipment may be in desperate need of replacement.

Your output has dropped.

When you’re trying to meet a production deadline, you can’t be bothered with slow, sluggish equipment. You’re more focused on achieving your productivity goals. However, if your equipment isn’t working as efficiently as it should, it could be more expensive to keep it. Constantly stopping operations to fuss over a poorly working piece of equipment is only going to lead to delays and revenue loss. If you find your output has dropped, despite vigilant efforts to stick to a tight schedule, your antiquated equipment may be to blame.

Injuries are occurring.

There’s a saying in the cooking industry: the most dangerous knife is a dull one. Your equipment may be still limping along, but is it the safety equivalent of a dull knife? If you’re hearing reports of employees sustaining injuries on the job – even if they’re minor, superficial ones – then it may mean that a specific piece of equipment is faulty and in need of immediate repair or replacement. The longer you hang onto them, the greater your risk of an employee becoming severely harmed. For their sake, replace the equipment.

The equipment is too old.

If you take good care of your manufacturing equipment, you can reasonably expect it to last you many years. After all, you paid good money for it and you want to make sure you make the most of your investment. That said, sometimes equipment simply becomes obsolete over time. If a part breaks, you may be tempted to try to replace the broken part. If the equipment is no longer being used, though, you may not be able to find the part that you need. In this instance, holding onto your outdated equipment cost you more if you’re spending all your time chasing down old parts and paying a premium for them.

We here at M&M Equipment Corp. have been the go-to industry experts on everything pertaining to manufacturing and processing since 1991. If you’re looking to purchase new or refurbished manufacturing equipment – or you have equipment that you need to sell – you can be confident you’re getting the best products at the best value when you work with us. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for all of your manufacturing and processing equipment needs!