Insights for your next turnaround project

Building new can sometimes be more cost-effective than repairing. 

The assumption that making a new part is more expensive than repairing an existing one is often correct. However, we have seen some cases where a customer can save money building new components instead of repairing existing equipment. We have also helped customers navigate budgetary concerns when trying to balance maintenance and capital budgets.

Being that HFW both builds and remanufactures equipment, we have developed a strong ability to help diagnose the true state of your equipment and what would be the most economical option for you.

Remanufacturing is a fantastic cost-saving option.

Remanufacturing remains a superb method of extending equipment life in a budget-friendly manner. In our work with the chemical and power generation industries, we occasionally see equipment being scrapped that could have been rebuilt to well within accepted tolerances.

Depending on the material, application, and a few other factors, dramatic improvements can sometimes be made to the life of existing equipment. In one of our finest moments, we helped a customer take equipment they were repairing every 6 months and were able to expand service life to 5-6 years. That equipment had a remarkable amount of life left in it!

So as you assess the state of your equipment come turnaround season, consult with equipment specialists like those we have at HFW to see if your part has more life in it than you may believe. Rebuilding is not only the most economical choice, but it can also potentially save you weeks in lead time as well.

Communication is key.

When working on a tight timeline (and who isn’t these days?), expediting each step in the process is essential.

While some delays like material lead time are common and expected, we have found that there are occasionally delays that tend to be more hidden. This commonly arises when a revised purchase order needs to be issued. 

Close coordination between the engineering group, purchasing department and vendor can have a dramatic impact on lead time improvement. We have seen a lead time reduction by as much as four to six weeks when all three parties are well-aligned.