What to Consider When Buying Used Food Manufacturing Equipment
If you work in the food manufacturing industry, you face several unique challenges. For example, you must create products that appeal to customers. You must also pass quality checks while meeting set food safety regulations.
All food products must be manufactured using efficient equipment that meets the hygiene standards for the industry, all while making sure you can meet production goals.
Each factor must be considered when selecting food manufacturing equipment – new or used. Any time you buy equipment to produce food products, you need to ensure it is properly vetted and tested. Some of the top factors to consider when evaluating used meat processing and manufacturing equipment can be found here.
PRODUCT HANDLING CONSIDERATIONS
To help maintain proper food product integrity, you must choose equipment that offers gentle and smooth handling.
Think about this; if you manufacture meat, it’s essential to ensure the machinery is properly equipped to handle this type of foodstuff. It is also necessary to consider if the machine will help reduce degradation related to the size or shape of the food product.
In most cases, this is going to be reliant on the machines you choose. Today, most food manufacturing companies are reducing the need for human intervention. Because of this, the machines must be able to work gently while handling the food products.
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
In any type of industrial setting, you need to ensure the equipment is properly maintained. For the food industry, this means regular and ongoing cleaning.
Having equipment in place that can be consistently, easily, and reliably cleaned is crucial for food manufacturers. In fact, it is part of SQF compliance.
SQF means “Safe Quality Food.” The SQF Institute has been recognized around the globe as a food service provider that sets standards for safety and quality. Because of this, it is paramount that you meet the outlined requirements.
If you purchase equipment that is difficult to clean, it may be because complete cleaning is only possible when the equipment is completely disassembled. This can make it virtually impossible to meet the SQF standards that have been established. When choosing the food manufacturing equipment for your needs, be sure to think about the functions and features that will make it possible for you to remain compliant.
VALID AND RECENT PROGRAMMING
When buying used machinery, there’s always the possibility that the software used is no longer supported. Before making a purchase, you must ensure the machine’s operating system is not outdated. You want to ensure it can integrate easily and quickly with the existing systems you have in place.
ROI (RETURN ON INVESTMENT) CONSIDERATIONS
Purchasing used equipment means that the ROI will be seen sooner than on new equipment. That’s because you are getting efficient machinery at a lower cost.
When it comes to food manufacturing equipment, it is necessary to keep the information here in mind. Doing this will help ensure that you don’t run into compliance issues and purchase the equipment that best suits your needs. Remember, not all equipment is created equal, so finding quality options is up to you. Being informed is a must when buying food industry or manufacturing equipment for your facility.