Planning ahead for parts will pay off

1 March 2005



There’s never a good time for a machine to break down, but planning ahead should minimise disruption when worn parts need replacing


The last thing a laundry or drycleaning business manager needs is for a machine to break down completely, leading to inconvenient and more importantly, expensive downtime. Wear and tear cannot be ignored. Broken or failing parts should be replaced promptly.

For, no matter how reliable, all machines will require replacement parts at some time in their working lives.

All equipment should be serviced regularly to maintain optimum efficiency.

However, this can prove to be a financial headache if the machine is an older model and replacement parts prove expensive and difficult to get hold of. It is not only such items as filters and drive belts which can be expected to require replacement over the lifetime of the machine, but may also include other parts of the machine which will require replacement because they break or otherwise fail.

Knowing where to go to find quality spares is essential. When replacement is required, there are two sources of supply for the replacement parts.

The first is the original manufacturer of the equipment (OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer).

The second source is provided by independent manufacturers and suppliers who make and supply different kinds of spares.

Of the latter category, there are two main types of spare.

The first is purely functional and does not attempt to reproduce the appearance of the original.

The second is a part that is in effect a duplicate of the original, although not bearing the mark of the OEM.

This is known as a “pattern” spare and is on many, if not most, occasions much cheaper than comparable OEM spares.

In some cases, they may be more readily available if the OEM has supply difficulties.

However, it is important to bear in mind that buying spares on the criteria of cost alone may be an unwise course of action.

Extra care is required when replacing parts connected with gas-fired equipment, control panels and safety equipment, for example.

Care is also required in ordering the replacement parts.

The right identification

The part should be identified as accurately as possible, by providing details of the manufacturer, machine, capacity, model name and number, part number and the year of manufacture.

When the part arrives, it should be checked against the original order; any discrepancies should be referred back to the supplier.

Fitting the wrong part may invalidate any insurance or machine guarantees, so accuracy in obtaining and fitting the correct replacement is essential.

LCNi has consistently advised that when buying any equipment, the availability of spares should be an important factor in the purchasing decision. Asking questions before any purchase is made will bring reassurance later, and so avoid the risks and problems that can disrupt a business.



CHECKLIST’s points to remember

1. If your machine does come with a warranty, check carefully what it includes.
Determine who will service this type of machine and whether they will use original parts or another brand
2. Where possible, buy OEM spares and have them fitted by a specialist engineer
3. Check on availability, delivery and whether spares can be ordered on a round the clock basis
4. When ordering spare parts, ensure that you identify the parts accurately
5. When you find a reliable source of spare parts, make sure you keep the contact details, and build up a list of spares suppliers
6. Choose suppliers with both the experience and expertise to discuss your requirements in detail. You should provide as much information about your operation as possible. Ask suppliers if you can talk to their other customers





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