Which production line equipment should I test at a small co-packer?

Equipment is a large part of what you are buying, so go beyond a walk-through. Ask for a demonstration run on a normal product and watch for jams, leaks, noise, slow cycles and rejected units. Bring a technician if you can, since a trained eye spots wear that a buyer misses.

Prioritise the single points of failure. If only one filler or one sealer serves the whole plant, find out its age, its parts supply and how long a repair would stop production. Ask for service history and any records of breakdowns. Look at the support gear too: scales, metal detectors, temperature monitors and the cleaning systems. Check that measuring devices are calibrated and that records exist. Ask whether any equipment is leased, financed or owned by a client, since that affects what you are actually buying. An equipment valuation can help you judge condition. If you plan to borrow, ask a lender what they need to see on equipment financing. Ask for spare parts on hand and the name of whoever repairs each machine, because a quick fix often depends on a person who knows the line.

Key takeaways

• Watch each key machine run a full batch.
• Find the single points of failure and check their service history.
• Ask whether any equipment is leased, financed or owned by someone else.
• Ask what spare parts are kept and who repairs each machine.