Sustainability
3 reasons why repairing is worth it
If it’s broken, get rid of it? Wait a moment – in many cases, machines, transport equipment and electric tow trucks can be repaired, and it’s often a more economical option, both in the short and long term.
Here, we take a look at:
- The advantages of repairing equipment;
- How to work out if repairs would be worth it or whether purchasing a new product would be a better option, and
- How to prevent breakages.
The advantages of repairing equipment
Sustainability
Until some spectacular new invention changes everything, the fact is that producing something new requires energy, particularly in the case of large or complex machinery. Replacing small parts, on the other hand, saves both energy and materials and demonstrates a commitment to sustainability. In an era in which raw materials are scarce and the climate is in crisis, these are important arguments that you can use in your external communications. After all, consumers are increasingly concerned about sustainability.
Important:
Even if a new machine is more energy-efficient than its predecessor, it often takes years to offset the energy that was required to produce the new model.
Savings
In many cases, investing in new, high-quality machinery or workshop equipment costs twice as much as repairs. You can therefore make substantial savings when you opt to repair instead of buy new.
But take care: assess whether a repair is worth it in the long term.
Efficiency
Depending on how quickly a repair is carried out, you can also save precious time as compared with waiting
for a new piece of equipment to arrive – time in which you are not able to work effectively. Of course, this depends on who carries out the repairs and how quickly you can get the spare parts. Make sure you’re in good hands with a competent service partner.
Also worth bearing in mind: if the model is no longer available and you have to get a new, unfamiliar piece of equipment, this may mean that staff require additional time to learn how to use it. This can slow down your operations.
To repair: yes or no? How to find out
Repairs aren’t always the optimal solution. Sometimes it is better to replace the product.
The following questions will help you to decide:
How expensive and complicated would a repair be?
Pricey spare parts and complex modifications can make repairs an expensive business, which is why you should carry out precise calculations to determine whether purchasing a new product would be cheaper. Remember to factor in the savings you would make once the new equipment is in operation, for example if it uses much less energy.
Is my current product in step with technological developments or can I save time and effort by getting a new model?
Does your current equipment require twice as long to carry out a process as the successor model or a competitor product? Then it is worth considering investing in a new piece of equipment.
How old and prone to breakdowns is the product?
Machines, shelves and pallet trucks eventually get old. There is then a risk that there will simply be one breakage after another. An expert can quickly establish whether or not this is the case.
How great is the difference in energy consumption?
As we mentioned above, the differences in energy efficiency are often so minor that they do not play a big part in your decision. However, a new product can sometimes be more environmentally friendly.
Preventing breakages
Ideally of course, you’d prefer not to have to buy an expensive new product or pay for repairs. You can’t avoid these in the long run, but there are ways to prevent damage and keep your products going as long as possible.
When purchasing an item, keep in mind the saying “buy cheap, buy twice”, particularly when it comes to products that are regularly subjected to high levels of stress and strain. Here, it is worth investing in quality and longevity. During operation, it is important to treat the equipment with care and have it serviced regularly. This will give you the best chance of keeping your product running smoothly for a long time.
Spare parts and repairs at kaiserkraft
At kaiserkraft, we provide a repair service for the products you have purchased from us. We only use genuine parts, so that your product remains the genuine article. Short delivery and installation times mean you can avoid expensive downtime. And we are up front about costs, providing transparent quotes and detailed fault descriptions so that you are fully in the picture. Contact us to find out more.
Contact us!
We are available to answer any other questions, free of charge.