Evaluating the potential return on investment for molten metal handling solutions requires looking at many factors, and ladles are no exception. Initial purchase price is an important consideration, but is just one piece of the puzzle. Use the following evaluation criteria to help you determine how to increase your return on investment when purchasing foundry ladle supplies:

Which foundry ladle solution do you need?

This sounds like a simple question, but the answer can and should dictate your decisions about where to source your ladles and how to evaluate the success of your acquisition. Buying the wrong thing at a great price might look good on paper initially, but will quickly prove to be a costly mistake.

Do you need to replace a specialty ladle that’s no longer available? You’ll need a company with the expertise to refurbish or redesign a replacement for the ladle you were using.

Could you benefit from an evaluation of an existing ladle to see if it would be cheaper to rebuild rather than replace? You need a supplier that can do a proper inspection and provide a proposal for the required repairs.

Is your application heavy-duty?

A supplier that provides specialty ladles will be able to best meet the needs of demanding applications.

Modern Equipment Company meets a wide range of molten metal handling needs. Foundry specialists can design custom equipment for specific applications; evaluators can provide expert assessments of rebuilding existing equipment. Specialty pouring equipment that includes manual and hydraulic lifts, hydraulic tilt stands and transfer cars is available for demanding applications.

How fast do you need your foundry ladles and parts?

If your operations are stalled waiting for the ladle to be replaced, then you need a local company that can deliver quickly.
All Modern Equipment ladles and replacement parts are made in the USA for fast delivery throughout North America.

How long do you plan to use your industrial ladles?

If you only need light-duty ladles for a few years, then lower-cost options may suit your needs. However, in severe environments where minimizing operator fatigue, maximizing safety are important, then a more robust ladle is needed. If you want to be able to maintain and repair your ladles to keep them in use for decades, then a pouring system that’s built for longevity will provide better value than a ladle that’s meant to be replaced after a few years.

Modern Equipment manufactures a broad line of industrial ladles and offers rebuild kits and a refurbishment program to extend the life of your ladles.

To learn more about calculating the return on investment for molten metal handling solutions, contact our ladle sales team at sales@moderneq.com

Industrial ladles can be shipped to you from virtually anywhere in the world, so you have your choice of suppliers. However, there are several compelling reasons to consider near-shore sourcing options, such as shorter lead times, higher service levels, company longevity, sustainability, and safety.

Lead time

The time it takes to receive your initial order and future replacement parts is just one factor to consider about the location of your ladle supplier. Foundry ladles are complex pieces of equipment. If you need any on-site evaluations, having a supplier that is at least on the same continent as your foundry will make it much easier to receive the parts and equipment you need to keep your operations running with minimal down time.

Service levels

What is the company’s reputation for providing customer service? Are they available during your business hours? Do they provide help in the language(s) you need? Working with a ladle supplier is more than a one-time order; it’s an ongoing relationship, so you want to make sure that you’re choosing a supplier that’s known for providing the level of service you require.

Company longevity

A company that only started selling foundry ladles a few years ago as an add-on may decide to stop offering ladles, service, and replacement parts in a few years and disappear, leaving you on your own. By contrast, a company that has specialized in industrial ladle sales for decades is more likely to continue to provide after-sales support, off-the-shelf replacement parts and service for many more years.

Reputation goes along with longevity. A company with ladles that are known and trusted throughout the industry is in a better position to stand behind their products.

Sustainability

Companies that used to rely on overseas suppliers are increasingly looking at closer-to-home options to minimize transportation costs and emissions. As environmental issues become increasingly important for your customers, showing that you’re prioritizing sustainability in your supply chain can become a deal-making factor.

Safety

Are you confident that your supplier is following the safety standards you must comply with? What is their reputation for safety? Do they provide safe working conditions as well as safe products?

Key questions to ask about your industrial ladle supplier:

• What lead time can they offer on custom ladles?
• Do they keep replacement parts in inventory, ready to ship?
• Can they provide on-site evaluations?
• What is their reputation in the industry? Are they known for quality products and service?
• Are they likely to still be supporting their products in 5 to 10 years?
• How do they impact your supply chain sustainability scorecard?
• What safety standards do they follow? How are those standards enforced?

Modern Equipment Company has been designing and manufacturing industrial ladles for over 100 years. Engineered to maximize safety, the company’s extensive line of molten metal handling equipment sets the standard for use in severe foundry conditions. Modern Equipment specialists can design custom pouring equipment to suit specific applications, and have a reputation in the industry for providing outstanding customer service. All foundry equipment and parts are made in the USA, allowing Modern Equipment to provide fast delivery throughout North America.

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

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

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