Plant and Equipment Asset Recovery Articles

For many capital projects, the immediate reflex is to commission a new build. This approach, however, often ignores the significant financial and scheduling advantages available in the secondary market. A primary hurdle is that project teams often hesitate, influenced by outdated or misunderstood assumptions about pre-owned industrial assets. To help decision-makers evaluate all options, we examine the four most common misconceptions surrounding the acquisition of used process equipment.   Myth 1: Used equipment is at the end of its useful life and will fail prematurely The greatest anxiety is that an asset labeled "used" is synonymous with "worn out." In high-specification industries, this is rarely true. The Reality: Proven Quality and Low Operational Hours Industrial equipment manufactured by top Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), such as reactors, high-spec heat exchangers, and pressure vessels; are engineered for extreme longevity, often designed for 20+ years of service. When these assets enter the secondary market, it is typically due to corporate realignment, site closures, or project cancellations, not technical failure. Consequently, much of the available equipment may have low run hours or werenever even installed. When sourced correctly, these assets represent proven technology with significant remaining service life.   Myth 2: Buying used equipment will ultimately cost more than new due to hidden lifetime expenses This common belief suggests that any initial CAPEX savings will be wiped out by future maintenance and repair costs. The Reality: Immediate CAPEX Reduction Drastically Reduces Total Cost of Ownership The immediate financial gain from acquiring pre-owned equipment is substantial. The initial procurement cost is often50% or more lowerthan commissioning a newly fabricated unit. Given that these assets are built for exceptional durability, and assuming proper adherence to maintenance schedules (which is required forallindustrial equipment, new or used), the overall total cost of ownership over the equipment's lifetime is often significantly reduced by the initial capital avoidance.   Myth 3: Used Equipment represents old or outdated technology Engineers may worry that by integrating pre-owned assets, they are compromising their process efficiency or technical capabilities. The Reality: Reliable, Time-Tested Designs In industrial processing, core assets are typically closed for strategic or economic reasons, not because the technology is obsolete. The fundamental engineering principles for process equipment such as fluid dynamics in heat exchangers or material properties in vessels, are enduring and robust. The equipment available frequently have a verified history of reliable performance in demanding, real-world applications. While control systems may be incrementally updated, the core physical components are based on tried-and-true designs that continue to meet current production and quality requirements.   Myth 4: Used equipment may be unsupported by the manufacturer, making spare parts difficult to source The fear here is that a company will be left with an asset that cannot be maintained due to lack of OEM support. The Reality: OEMs have spare parts and provide support for older models In most cases, the manufacture date is not the primary barrier to long-term support. Major OEMs maintain extensive records and support services for decades. The critical piece of information required to access manuals, replacement parts, and technical assistance. With the knowledge of the serial number, or even just the year and model number, the OEM can provide ongoing support, ensuring the asset can be maintained just as effectively as a newly fabricated one.   Conclusion: Lower CAPEX, Faster Lead-times, Quality Equipment The secondary equipment market offers a powerful mechanism to accelerate project timelines and maximize capital efficiency. By moving past these common myths and focusing on verifiable facts and documentation, procurement teams can make informed decisions that deliver high-quality, proven assets years sooner than traditional sourcing methods. It is important to discuss with our buyers your concerns and needs, as every piece of equipment has a unique history. Need something sooner than later, or have budget constraints? Contact us, and we will match you with equipment that meets your needs.

When you want to sell your used industrial manufacturing or processing equipment, you usually are looking for fast turnaround. The quicker you can convert surplus machinery and components to cash, the sooner you can reinvest in new equipment, inventory, marketing or other business priorities. If you have researched how to sell industrial equipment quickly and efficiently, you have probably found that working with used equipment dealers is your best option. Selling to surplus industrial equipment buyers relieves you of the cost and time investment needed to: Assess your equipment’s value in an ever-changing market Develop and execute a marketing and sales strategy Run credit checks on buyers Negotiate terms Pack and ship bulky machinery Used industrial equipment dealers such as Phoenix Equipment handle decommissioning and securing equipment, freight arrangements, and more, putting cash in your hand in days, not months or years. When you sell industrial equipment to surplus machinery buyers, you keep your production and operations disruption to a minimum. How to Get Maximum Profit on Industrial & Chemical Equipment Just because you need cash fast doesn’t mean you have to settle for pennies on the dollar when you sell industrial equipment. At Phoenix, we pride ourselves on offering sellers fair market value for their unwanted equipment. Making sure to provide complete, accurate information on the machinery you have for sale allows us to offer quick and accurate quotes. In fact, by taking a few simple steps, you can ensure Phoenix Equipment’s expert estimators can offer you top dollar on your manufacturing and processing equipment. When you want Phoenix to prepare a bid on your industrial equipment – whether it’s a single machine or an entire production line or plant – be sure to give us as much information as possible including: Equipment List – Start with a complete, itemized list of the equipment you have for sale. Include quantities of each intact component or machine and all spare parts. Specifications – Enter equipment on separate spec sheets that include details about the machinery’s current use, capacity, manufacturer, model and serial number, etc. Whatever data you would consider when buying processing equipment is important to include so Phoenix Equipment and our potential buyers can form a full picture and understand different ways the equipment could be employed. Condition – Give us an honest description of the equipment’s appearance and functionality. Make a note of any parts that are missing, broken, or show signs of extensive wear. Your forthrightness will establish your reputation as an ethical seller, which will pay off in the long run. To make it easier to establish condition, you could upload the equipment’s maintenance records, owner manual, and dates key parts were replaced. Like any buyer, understanding the equipment’s condition will allow us to accurately price and purchase the equipment. Location – Let us know where the equipment is physically located. This will help us determine how difficult it will be for us to secure it and ship it to Phoenix Equipment’s facilities for refurbishing and preparation for resale. The more accessible the equipment, the easier the logistics, the less we have to spend on strapping and shipping, allowing us to put more money in your pocket. Images and Video –A picture is worth 1,000 words and videos are worth even more. Including well-lit, high-resolution images with your equipment details is crucial. Send several shots of each machine: establishing shots of the equipment in situ on the plant floor; closeups of major components and their interfaces with each other; shots of electrical controls, monitors, and gauges; photos of safety features, moving parts, and features behind doors and panels. Videos can demonstrate that equipment remains in good working order and makes a strong impression. When you’re ready to sell your industrial processing and manufacturing equipment quickly and for top dollar, visit our submissions page and send us as much information as you can.

Whether you’re planning to upgrade your production machinery, downsize your operation, close a plant, or get rid of excess inventory, one thing is certain; you will end up with unused equipment. Whatever your situation, there are several great reasons to sell surplus industrial and process equipment, and a liquidation service may be your best option. Selling your chemical or industrial processing machinery, production lines, or entire plants to used industrial equipment dealers is often preferable to private-party sales or simply junking it. Professional surplus equipment buyers allow you to sell large quantities quickly, alleviating you of the hassle involved in finding customers, negotiating terms, storing equipment, and arranging deliveries. Here are a half-dozen reasons to sell to a dealer: 1. Cash in Hand Reputable equipment liquidation service providers can buy single pieces of machinery, truckloads of components, or entire plants. Selling industrial equipment to a dealer is easy, fast, and puts cash in your hand quickly. The sale of your surplus equipment recoups some of the capital you originally invested, giving you needed capital to invest in other areas of your business. Your return will vary depending on the type of equipment you have to sell, its age, and condition. So why let your unused process equipment continue to depreciate? Get a free quote today, sell your idle equipment, and get paid top dollar for it. 2. Free Up Wasted Space Unused processing equipment takes up a lot of room, occupying real estate that could be used for finished product inventory, shipping and receiving, production staging, and other mission-critical items and tasks. These large pieces of equipment and machinery are often encumbered with cords and hoses that pose tripping hazards and sharp edges that can injure workers and damage other, more useful equipment and raw materials. Holding onto excess inventory costs money in several ways: Carrying Costs – Warehousing is expensive, whether you rent space at a remote location at rates up to $7 per square foot, or pay for utilities, overhead, and personnel to store it onsite. Insurance – The more stuff you have, the more it costs to protect against loss, theft, and vandalism. Obsolescence – The longer you hold onto equipment you don’t use, the greater the risk that it will depreciate in value. Inefficiency – Working around unused equipment costs warehouse workers time. They have to store parts wherever they can find room. Take back control of your warehouse or workspace by getting rid of the equipment you no longer need. 3. Lower Maintenance Costs When you sell industrial equipment, you also rid yourself of high maintenance costs. Even if you have decommissioned the equipment, you still have to keep it in working order if it is to retain its value or in case it must be pressed back into service as a replacement or in a new or reopened plant. Labor, parts, lubricant, cleaning, and other repair and maintenance costs add up quickly, especially when the equipment isn’t at work generating revenue. Dealing with a surplus equipment buyer can get these expenses off your books, and put your well-paid maintenance crews to work taking care of equipment that’s actually productive. 4. Environmental Stewardship Taking care to dispose of used components is the ecologically responsible thing to do. Rather that consigning your equipment to a landfill, you can sell it to an industrial equipment dealer who will see that it is recycled, repurposed, and reused, reducing the need to manufacture new equipment. Keeping the metals and electronics out of municipal dumps eliminates health and environmental hazards. So why not make the environmentally friendly decision to resell and repurpose the equipment you will no longer use? Fulfill your company’s social responsibility commitments and establish your company as an industry leader in the going green movement. 5. Business Contacts Equipment liquidation services make strong business contacts and trading partners. When you are looking to sell your equipment, you establish relationships that can pay off handsomely down the line. When you need to buy or sell industrial equipment in the future, you know who to contact and who to trust. Additionally, when you find a reputable surplus equipment buyer, you can count on them to be on the lookout for specialty or hard to find equipment you need. Finally, your dealer can put you in contact with other surplus equipment buyers and people in the industry, with whom you may form mutually profitable arrangements. 6. Tax Benefits and Decommissioning Credits The profit you generate by selling used industrial equipment is taxable, but the net tax benefits almost always outweigh the negatives. In many cases, while your sale to a used industrial equipment dealer may approach market value, it is likely to fall short of book value. You can claim a write-off for the difference between the price you get and book value. You may be entitled to other tax incentives as well, just ask your accountant. If you have taken a reserve for the cost of decommissioning equipment and closing plants, selling to surplus equipment buyers offers the opportunity to tap into those funds. By allowing you to reverse those reserves, an equipment liquidation service essentially pays you to regain the money you put in escrow for these purposes. Given all the financial, efficiency, and intangible benefits that go along with selling unused equipment to a surplus equipment buyer, there is little reason to hold onto industrial and process equipment and machinery.   Phoenix Equipment prides itself on fair dealing and building long-term relationships with clients. As the country’s leading buyer and seller of used industrial and chemical processing equipment, Phoenix offers a one-stop solution for liquidating single machines or entire production facilities. We can handle the entire transaction, including decommissioning, dismantling, and transporting equipment across town or around the world. In addition to outright purchase of plants and equipment, we can broker your sales as your marketing agent or liquidation or auction manager. To discuss the selling option that works for you and how you can earn cash for your surplus equipment,contact Phoenix today.