5 Indications You Chose The Right Weigh Filling Machine Supplier

Choosing a weigh-filling machine supplier can be a daunting task. Seems like there are dozens of companies offering the same products with identical features. But are they all really the same? Not all suppliers are created equal. How can you be sure you’ve made the right decision? Make sure to look for a few key indicators before you sign on the dotted line.

1) They design and manufacture their own machines.

If the supplier you’ve chosen has been in business a while, then they probably do. Don’t be fooled by suppliers that white label a machine and call it theirs. They are easy to spot since the machines all look the same only with different logos…in the exact same place. But if you see this supplier has many different types of weigh fillers with options for powders and solids as well as the ability to choose from a variety of multi-head or net weighing systems, you’re on the right track. If you have a hard time deciding which of their weigh fillers you need for your operation, chances are you have a supplier that has taken the time to design and build custom machines for specific results.

2) They offered you a service plan and support after the sale.

Weigh filling is a key component of your automated packaging processes and it is critical to have easy access to service and support after your machine is delivered, installed and integrated. Even if your facility has qualified technicians that you trust with your other equipment, you need a supplier that has options for on-site training and service packages. The best suppliers are also more likely to use technology that allows for online support and remote problem diagnosis. If this sounds like your chosen supplier, then you made the right call.

3) They have a long history in the packaging machine business.

You need to make sure your packaging machine supplier has a deep history and is not new to the industry. Longevity in this business is an important indicator. It means the supplier has a stable of innovative products and that their packaging solutions have been engineered over the long term to serve multiple industries. It likely also means they own their facilities and have employees with years of experience. If you see this kind of longevity in the supplier you’ve chosen, make sure you ask to see their operation in person. You should take a peek at their facilities and their personnel before making a large investment in their packaging solution.

4) They can deliver to both domestic and overseas facilities.

You might ask why this is an important indicator. Even if you only need your machine delivered to one location, signing on with a supplier that has experience delivering packaging machine solutions around the world ensures it will get there safely and on time, ready to be quickly commissioned. If you ask a potential supplier why they only deliver to one market or the other and they say something about specializing in only one market or that there is not a demand in a particular market, that’s a red flag you need to note. They may only have rights to sell that machine in one market because they don’t make it and can’t control where it is delivered. It could be that regulatory issues or a lack of import/export experience are preventing them from distributing their machines more widely. The bottom line is that choosing a supplier that can ship anywhere in the world says a lot about their operation and how they work (or don’t work).

5) You asked for a customized option and it wasn’t a problem.

This might be the last indicator on our list, but it is not the least important. Choosing a supplier that can customize their packing machines to meet your specifications is a sure sign that they have a team of designers and engineers on-site allowing them to constantly innovate. We don’t expect that every desired feature can be customized, but even the ability to run it past their engineering or R&D team is telling. If you ask for a customized option and all you get is silence, it’s likely they’re not designing, engineering and building their own machines. You deserve a proactive supplier that is driven to innovate and motivated to help you reach your goals.

Your Next Steps…

If you see these indicators in your prospective weigh filling machine supplier, then you’ve likely made the right choice. But take time to make a list of questions to ask them upfront so the indicators and red flags are clear to you. Then compile a list of the suppliers you are comfortable with. You can always get to the finer points of cost and delivery once you’re comfortable with your final list.

Speaking for ourselves, we don’t mind if you want to shop around. We want you to be happy with your choice. We have a long history of providing innovative weigh filling machines that were conceived, designed and built by our people in our facilities and we’re proud to have delivered our solutions to many leading domestic and international operators.

Whether you need to weigh and dispense powders with our Star Auger automatic filling machine or need our PrimoCombi multi-head weigh filler for your produce, we are ready to be your partner. There is a reason why so many operators have trusted us to weigh and fill their products.

When you’re ready, reach out and ask us all your questions. We’ll be here to help you find the right solution.