What should I look at in a feed store’s bulk storage bins and bagging setup?
Inspect the bins for rust, leaks and pest signs, test the augers and bagging equipment while they run, and ask for maintenance records, repair history and any safety inspections. Find out which equipment is owned and what will need replacing soon.
Go on a day when the store is actually filling orders. Look inside and outside the bins: rust, cracks, damp feed, mould, pest evidence, broken seals and cleanout points that are hard to reach. Watch the augers, scales and bagging line run. Listen for noise, look for spills and ask how often the lines stop. Equipment that works on a quiet day can still struggle under load.
Ask for maintenance logs and repair invoices. Learn who services the machines, how long the parts take to arrive and what the seller has put off. An equipment appraiser can help you judge condition and remaining life. Also ask about cleaning routines between feed types, since mixing medicated and plain feed is a serious concern. A qualified professional can tell you what records an inspector or customer may ask to see.
Check dust control, guarding and electrical safety, because bulk feed handling carries real hazards. Confirm that the equipment is owned and not leased or financed, and that nothing is tied to a lien. Ask your lawyer to check. Finally, ask what the store can handle at its busiest and whether a change in volume would need an upgrade, and what that upgrade would involve in time and disruption.
Key takeaways
- Watch the equipment run under a real workload.
- Ask for maintenance logs and a list of postponed repairs.
- Confirm ownership and check for any liens on equipment.
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentWhat are the steps to buying a business?
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentWhat is inventory
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