Challenging trading conditions see pre-owned machinery boom

Challenging trading conditions for UK manufacturers over the last few years have resulted in businesses of all kinds looking more closely than ever at the returns they are making on capital investment, says a plastic machinery trader and broker.

STVconnect, based in Northamptonshire, says more and more manufacturers are realising that high quality pre-owned machinery can meet their productivity needs with greatly reduced costs and minimal risk.

“When one of our refurbished machines goes on sale, we can say, hand on heart, that it’s as close to new condition as practically possible,” commented STV’s Richard Perry.“Our customers have the peace-of-mind of a fully documented and guaranteed machine, without the extremely high cost of buying new. And to prove our point, buyers keep coming back for more.”

STV says despite the ongoing success of its brokerage business, it is the trading of pre-owned plastics machinery, including injection moulding machines, as well as ancillaries from conveyors to recycling systems, now generates the highest growth for the company.

The company has established a specialist machine refurbishment division at its 1200 m2 Northamptonshire headquarters, where Perry says each machine undergoes a rigorous and fully documented refurbishment process, consisting of a 2500 cycle test to evaluate the machine, as well as cleaning, repainting and subjection to over 100 checks, with any worn parts being replaced. Finally, another 2500 cycle test is undertaken with a mould.

“Professionally refurbished pre-owned machinery makes incredibly good business sense in this day and age,” continued Perry. “We’re not in the business of making a quick buck on bargain used machines – there are plenty of those kinds of businesses around. We’re here to build long-term customer relationships and provide real value with ongoing customer support.”

STV refurbishes all leading brands of injection moulding machines, as well as ancillaries from conveyors to recycling systems. The company’s claim is to offer “machines that look like new and perform like new - but at a fraction of the cost.”