What is the Importance of Your Warranty?
Machines are one of the greatest assets of any manufacturing facility. They’re always taken care of because the slightest equipment malfunction could cause a domino effect in production.
You can have the industrial equipment safely running with ample repairs. But repair services and component replacement typically cost a significant amount of money. It’s the reason many companies see equipment warranty as a necessity. It significantly reduces repair and maintenance costs. Meanwhile, other companies disregard it to avoid paying extra for what they assume is unnecessary.
If you’re still on the fence about getting warranties, this short guide can help you make a better decision. Read on to learn about the benefits of a warranty and how to get the most out of it.
Advantages of Getting a Warranty
“Why should I pay extra for a warranty for a machine that’s supposed to be high-quality?” is the usual argument of companies that think twice about getting a warranty. But even though products are made with premium materials and to the highest standards, they’re not made to last forever. This is especially true for industrial equipment that serves its purpose for many years but also cannot escape replacements.
All types of equipment will eventually wear out over time due to constant use. If one of your equipment breaks down, and it has a warranty, you’ll be able to get several benefits. Here are some of them:
Save Money Over Time
When you’re in charge of operations, one of the main goals is to keep excess expenses to a bare minimum and prevent financial loss. Some warranties might have upfront costs, but it’s way cheaper than the amount you must spend when you need to hire repair services.
Also, the warranty isn’t a one-time use agreement. As long as your claim is within the allowable period, you can request the included services and other benefits multiple times.
Reduce Downtime
Having a good warranty can give you peace of mind since you’ll know that you won’t have to deal with costly downtime due to equipment breakdowns. You won’t need third-party service providers since you’ll simply have to inform your dealer about the situation, and they’ll handle everything for you. In addition to repair services, they can also provide necessary replacements.
Receive Expert Repair Services
If you need something fixed, dealers or manufacturers can provide you with highly skilled professionals who are specifically trained to repair your equipment. This means that repairs will always be done right the first time without slow turnaround times and inaccurate diagnoses.
Get Critical Component Coverage
Most industrial machines today are equipped with complex systems containing components. They can be costly and difficult to source. You won’t have to worry about looking for replacements if you have a warranty since they’re usually covered in the agreement. The dealers and manufacturers will be the ones to take care of them if they’re needed.
Most of the time, warranties aren’t optional since they’re automatically included in the purchase, but it really depends on the manufacturer. For example, JHFOSTER works with brands like Quincy and Gardner Denver that offer products with warranty agreements. Meanwhile, some smaller brand partners don’t. This is where additional or extended warranties enter the picture.
How to Get The Most Out of Your Warranty
Your business invests a good chunk of money for your equipment and warranty, so you must understand everything about it. Warranty policies and how to protect your coverage aren’t discussed as often as they should be. For you to get the most out of it, these are some key factors you should learn:
Maintain the Machinery
Negligence can negatively impact your service agreement, so it’s crucial to take care of your equipment properly. Once the units are delivered to the facility, the owners are responsible for ensuring that they’re well-maintained.
Dealers will provide you with operator manuals to ensure everything is up to standard. The instructions would have recommended maintenance practices, including cleaning moving parts and changing and checking oil levels. Adhere to everything provided to avoid any problems when claiming the warranty.
Consider a Maintenance Agreement
Your distributor can take quote a Maintenance program that fits not only your schedule but also the requirements of the warranty, so you don’t have to worry about it. Your equipment will be maintained by factory trained technicians that are trained to look for issues before the arise.
Understand your warranty terms.
Warranties vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and in some cases model to model.
It is important to read the warranty terms to understand the coverage as warranties do not always cover labor. They almost never cover consequential damage such as rental replacement equipment while your equipment is in repair, or other damage incurred by a warranty failure. Most warranties assume that critical applications have backup equipment in place.
Also understand the requirements to maintain the warranty, it is imperative to follow these requirements as the warranty will likely be void even if the requirement is not related to the failure. Example: a customer does not maintain the oil sample interval as required and the Controller Display fails. The oil sample interval has nothing to do with the display operation, but it has everything to do with keeping the warranty intact. Follow the requirements to keep the manufacturer’s coverage intact.
Think Twice Before Modifying the Equipment
You can modify your equipment with aftermarket products to increase efficiency, but make sure that you understand what’s allowed and what’s not under the agreement.
Also, modifications should be installed properly. Manufacturers reserve the right to void a warranty if they find out that the modifications were the cause of the damages.
Provide Intensive Training
Just like with negligence, improper use can badly affect your service agreement. It’s your obligation to provide your operators with proper training and information. They are the ones using the machinery regularly, after all.
A well-trained operator will know how to utilize your industrial equipment to its fullest potential without placing too much stress on it. They’ll also know when to spot issues early on and provide feedback if they think something’s wrong.
Report Issues Early
Owners and operations administrators must promptly report any issues to their dealers. Delays can cause adverse effects on the machine and the warranty.
Your dealer will advise whether your equipment needs immediate repairs or if you can continue operation. Also, remember that your warranty has a set deadline unless the dealer or manufacturer offers an extended warranty. Get the most out of it whenever you need help.
That said, more manufacturers are starting to offer longer warranty periods today. This is greatly beneficial for businesses that use industrial equipment because it guarantees that the equipment will be covered for a longer time. However, this also places a bigger responsibility to follow the policies that maintain the integrity of the service agreement.
Consult Experts Today
Industrial machines are more efficient, safer, and easier to use than ever. Their designs and components are also now more sophisticated. As a result, the prices for repair services and aftermarket replacements are higher. Luckily, having a warranty can help you lessen your expenses. Learn more about our products’ warranty policies by reaching out to our team.