How do I judge the racks and hooks inventory in a coating shop?

Racks and hooks are consumables that the books often treat loosely. A shop with a deep stock of well-kept hooks can run a line smoothly, while a shop with tired ones loses time and quality on every batch. Ask for a count by type and size, and ask where each is stored. Look at a sample under good light.

Check condition. Heavy build-up of cured powder on contact points weakens grounding and can leave bare spots on parts. Bent or fatigued hooks drop work. Ask how they are cleaned, who does it, and how often the shop buys new ones. The answers show the true running cost and whether a buyer would face a catch-up bill.

Then match them to the work. Custom racks built for one customer’s part have value only while that customer stays. Ask which racks serve which accounts, and whether any belong to customers. Ask how the shop records the cost: expensed as bought, or carried as stock. Your accountant can explain how the treatment affects the statements and any inventory line in your deal.

Key takeaways

• Count racks and hooks by type, and inspect a sample for wear, bends and build-up.
• Ask how often they are stripped, cleaned and replaced, and what that costs.
• Find out which custom racks depend on a single customer staying.
• Confirm whether any racks belong to customers rather than the shop.