What equipment appraisal papers should I gather for a moulding plant loan?

A moulding plant’s value sits in presses, auxiliaries and the moulds themselves, and an appraiser can only work from what you can show. Start with a complete asset list. For each press, record make, model, year, tonnage or size, hours if tracked and serial number. Do the same for chillers, dryers, robots and material handling. Treat moulds as their own list, with owner, condition and the customer they serve.

Next, the proof. Collect purchase invoices, major repair and rebuild records, and warranty documents. Note which items are leased, financed or owned by customers, since an appraiser will not count what you do not own. Your lawyer can help confirm title and existing claims.

Then ask about the appraiser. Check that they are qualified for industrial equipment, work to recognized professional standards, and are acceptable to your lender. Ask whether the lender wants a particular type of value. Your accountant can compare the appraisal to your books. Allow time for a site visit, and make the plant ready so the equipment can be seen running. Ask your lender early how long its review takes, so the appraisal is not the step that delays you.

Key takeaways

• Prepare a full asset list with serial numbers, and keep mould schedules separate.
• Collect purchase invoices, rebuild records and proof that you own each item.
• Ask your lender which appraiser credentials and standards it will accept.
• Prepare for a site visit with equipment accessible and running.