For many contract packagers, redeploying or selling idle assets is a top priority. Although it may not be every company’s number one priority, when the time comes to upgrade or transfer machinery, this important process can be made to be efficient, quick, and profitable. Success requires the following preliminary steps:
• Stop the scavenger hunts. A factory’s maintenance and engineering teams focus on keeping a facility running. At times, this means “raiding” idle machinery for spare parts to repair other units. These raids, however, damage the resale process, raising questions with buyers over issues such as missing parts that customers might not have noticed. Selling machinery that is still installed is critical; it prevents the scavenging that makes controllers, drives, parts, and resale value from being lost.
• More time equals more money. By giving a dealer or asset management team plenty of time to do their job, more interest can be generated in an item. This assures a competitive sale price. So, as soon as the decision is made either to redeploy or to sell machinery, it is wise to let the machinery dealer or asset management partner know. This allows time for the dealer or partner to do the best job possible.
• Remember the spares. As the price of original equipment manufacturer spare parts keeps spiraling upward, any spare parts you can provide will benefit the buyer. Providing spare parts also shows new customers how the machinery was maintained and which components presented areas of concern.
See the story that goes with this sidebar: 10 Questions to Ask When Purchasing Machinery
