15 Facts to Know About a Vendor Before Purchasing a Packaging Machine
January 18, 2017
Before you go ahead and invest in a new packaging machine from a vendor, you want to do your due diligence and make sure you know what you’re getting. So what you ask to properly vet different vendors? Here's a short list of essential concerns that you'll want to address while you're shopping for new high-tech packaging machines.
1. Compatibility
First, you want to make sure that the machines that you are considering will work with the products that you're using. Otherwise, you're going to have serious problems integrating that machine in the workspace.
2. Customization
You’ll also want to know how well your vendor's products will facilitate customization. You probably have specific packaging processes in mind, and some of those need custom equipment. Make sure you're on the same page before committing to a purchase.
3. Maintenance Curves and Maintenance Plans
Ask vendors about the typical maintenance burden for a given machine over time. You'll also want to know who to call in an emergency situation, and who will help from the vendor side. Support is critically important with these types of capital purchases.
4. What's the Interface Like?
Ascertain the facts as to how human operators use a machine to understand how easy it will be to train people, and what kinds of functionality that machine will support. For instance, ask about visual displays on human-machine interfaces (HMIs) that will illustrate packaging processes to human operators as they're being performed.
5. Special Features
Ask about any special features that will enhance the machine’s value to you as a company. For instance, ask about any metrics or business intelligence information that a machine might provide through the Internet of Things (IoT) or machine to machine (M2M) network.
6. Additional Assemblies
It’s also a good idea to figure out what kinds of packaging or assembly processes a machine can support. Can additional assemblies be easily added to the machine in the future if your product line changes?
7. Cartoning and Other Packing Processes
In addition to bag filling processes, ask about cartoning and other types of containers that can be worked into the production process. Again, your needs may change over time, and you want vendors that can help to streamline additional future production processes efficiently.
8. Spatial Concerns
Figure out how the machine works in terms of the precise spaces used to package food and other goods. For example, you'll want to figure out the floorspace available to accommodate the piece of equipment as well as any ceiling height restrictions.
9. Ergonomics
How does the machine support ergonomic outcomes? This is an important question, and an important fact to consider, because it protects front-line workers from harm, and maximizes productivity at the same time.
10. Uptime
It's also important to get some type of idea of how much uptime the machine will support. In other words, how long can you go without a break, and how long might you reasonably expect continual production to last without care or maintenance?
11. Width of Bags
Packaging machines also support a given range of bag filling. Ask vendors about whether it's important to invest in one machine that will handle a whole range of bag widths, or several machines, one for wider bags and another for narrower bags. Figure out what the most cost-effective choice is for your business.
12. Vendor Track Record
Make sure your vendor has an established record of service and commitment to your success for the life of the machine. Then you'll know you're in good hands in terms of quality manufacturing and support.
13. Film Suppliers
Another great thing to ask a vendor about is other related suppliers, particularly film suppliers or others who provide the pouches and materials used with the machine. This is another way to do the right research and ensure better business partnerships over the long haul.
14. Changeover
Figure out how quickly and easily the packaging machine can change over to different production processes, for instance, different bag types or sizes. Talk to the vendor about tool-free changeover and other processes that can add efficiency and versatility to your operations.
15. Competition
It doesn’t hurt to do a little bit of research into what your competition is using. It’s a way to make sure that you’re not left behind, and that if you choose to make a bit of a larger investment, you’ll have a competitive edge. A great place to do this is industry trade shows.
Partner with Viking Masek for your packaging machine needs today! Give us a call at (920) 564-5051 or contact us online.
