NRTC: How Do You Know When It's Time to Decommission?
Not everyone finds it easy to decommission old equipment, mainly due to a lack of proper guidance on letting go of industrial machinery.
It can be difficult to determine when you should decommission your equipment. You may not be sure of what signs to look for, or if the money you are putting into it outweighs the investment.
Eventually, your machine is going to wear out, and when it does, you have a choice to make. Deciding it is time to say goodbye, and decommission it, or invest more money in repair costs.
Signs that confirm you should decommission
#1: ABNORMALLY HIGH REPAIR COSTS
Even a machine that gets regular maintenance will one day encounter a large repair issue, and with that, a high cost. Knowing when that cost, paired with the regular maintenance, is becoming too much is key to knowing when to decommission.
Mechanics and machinery do wear over time, and replacing parts is required over the years. When this starts to happen with more frequency, take time to examine the cost you are putting in for upkeep versus the cost for a replacement.
Purchasing a used machine can keep costs low and solve ongoing repair issues. Our partner, HGR, carries a wide selection of industrial surplus including used machines and robots, and they are a great resource when looking to replace your decommissioned machine.
#2: THE MACHINE BECOMES A SAFETY CONCERN
The safety of employees and staff should always be the number one priority of a workplace. If a machine becomes a health or safety hazard, decommissioning should be done immediately.
Safety hazards may not be as visible as a worn belt or sparks. If a machine doesn’t start up the way it should, the cause should be investigated promptly, as it could be an indication of something potentially hazardous. Make sure your staff is communicating any issues with machinery that could lead to a safety hazard, and ultimately, decommission.
#3: EQUIPMENT DEPRECIATION
Equipment depreciation happens naturally over time, even with regular maintenance and care. Unless the machine sits idle at an industrial warehouse, each time it runs it will reduce its value.
As depreciation happens, make sure you do some quick financial calculations. Choices can be made to run the machine until it surpasses its usefulness, or sell it prior to the end of its lifetime, and make a return on your investment. A clear financial picture can help you to make an objective decision regarding decommissioning.
#4: COST OF MACHINERY INSURANCE INCREASES
Insurance is a necessary part of machine ownership, but can also be a great indicator of when it may be time to decommission. When your premiums start to increase, it means the insurance company has evaluated the risk of that machine as increasing due to age.
Insurance companies will also lower premiums based on new safety measures. If you do have to decommission, look for a newer used machine or robot that may save you on insurance as well.
NRTC IS YOUR GO-TO PARTNER FOR ALL DECOMMISSIONING NEEDS
It is time to say goodbye to your equipment when it no longer functions as it should despite all the many repairs and maintenance. At NRTC, we are the experts in decommissioning machinery We have transparent processes that give you visibility from start to finish.