Six Things to Think About When Buying an Industrial Ladle

Procuring industrial ladles is a complex process that requires much more than sending RFQs to a handful of foundry ladle suppliers. To ensure that you receive a ladle that your operators can use safely and efficiently, and that also provides an excellent return on investment, keep the following questions in mind:

1) Which foundry ladles will help you satisfy your customers?

If your customers are expecting high-quality products and on-time service from your foundry, then you need reliable, well-made ladles that help you get your jobs done. The quality of workmanship that your operators are capable of depends on using ladles that are properly crafted and optimally balanced. Ladles that can be operated easily and efficiently without requiring extra steps or adjustments will allow your craftspeople to do their best work and delight your customers with high-quality products produced on time.

2) What level of customization, quality and craftsmanship do you require?

A company that specializes in foundry ladles and has decades of experience crafting custom-made equipment that meets unique specifications is not the same as a company that specializes in other equipment and can also provide ladles. As your company pushes boundaries and develops innovative new methodologies, a ladle manufacturer known for technical excellence is your best partner to help develop equipment that will achieve the results you’re looking for.

3) How can you best meet your total cost of ownership, ROI, and lead time objectives?

When comparing price, look carefully at hidden costs, and keep in mind that time is money. Any lost time can quickly cause the cost of a cheap ladle to balloon.  A long lead time delays your ability to start using your new ladle and can wreak havoc on production schedules. Breakdowns, slow service and lack of available parts can also cause downtime and shrink profits.

While initial cost is a major consideration, the total cost of working with the ladle over many years must be taken into consideration. Having to replace major components or buy an entire new ladle after a few years results in a higher total cost of ownership.

4) Which ladles do your operators prefer?

Retaining your best operators is a significant factor that goes well beyond cost benefits. Skilled craftspeople prefer working with high-quality equipment. Your operators must have complete confidence in the safety and reliability of the ladles they’re using, or you risk losing them. The cost of finding and training new operators is substantial, as well as production delays due to lack of workers.

5) How important are durability and longevity?

Well-made, long-lasting equipment not only improves the overall cost of ownership calculation, it supports corporate sustainability values. A supplier that purposely makes rebuildable gear boxes intends for customers to be able to extend the life of their ladles to the maximum instead of needing to buy replacements after a few years.

Look at the resale value of used ladles from different suppliers – which brands do you frequently see selling at auctions? The availability of replacement parts and after-sales service is another important factor to get the most use out of your foundry ladles.

6) What level of service do you need?

When you have an issue that requires expert help, how long are you willing to wait to receive a response? If you need to minimize downtime, then ensure that your ladle supplier offer on-site evaluations to help keep your operations running smoothly.

For over 100 years, Modern Equipment Company has been dedicated to designing and manufacturing foundry ladles. The company’s extensive line of molten metal handling equipment ranges from standard small dipping ladles to custom 25-ton ladles. The foundry system specialists at Modern Equipment can design specialty pouring equipment to suit specific applications.

To learn more about choosing the best foundry ladle to suit your needs, contact our sales professionals at sales@moderneq.com