More Than Just Price…
The Total Cost Of Ownership (TCO) is a concept that has been around for over a century. Its the financial idea that encompasses the total economic value of an investment. When making a capital expenditure purchase for your family or business, its important to consider more than just price. Price does not reflect quality, and often times leads to consumer regret in knowing that you “get what you pay for”. There are several other pieces to the puzzle that contribute to the true value of any investment or purchase.
Harmony Enterprises understands what TCO is. We value the fact that when you partner with us to put our balers, compactors, or liquid extraction machines to work for you, you can be confident in knowing that you are receiving the Lowest Total Cost Of Ownership.
What Goes Into The Total Cost Of Ownership?
TCO is more than just price. Price is a factor, but there are other factors to consider that may add to the value, or end up costing you more in time and money down the road.
This diagram helps to illustrate some of the important things Harmony considers in the overall quality, longevity, satisfaction, and cost of our equipment.
Let’s take a quick look at each one as they apply to balers and compactors.
Purchase Price – Compare, But Ask Why! Price is typically the first thing consumers ask about and use in their product comparisons. It is an important consideration, as no one should overpay for a product when its not justified. Its just as important to be leery of pricing that undercuts an industry standard, and ask how those products can be manufactured at those prices. Are they using low grade steel, or other components manufactured and shipped from abroad? Is the overall product solution not as robust in some areas that make it more economical? From steel quality, thickness, welding practices, to paint, there are many things that can affect the price of a machine. When you buy from Harmony, you can be assured that you are getting top quality USA steel and components, manufactured by experienced craftsman right here in Minnesota.
Delivery – Avoid Damaged Equipment Or Hidden Costs. Delivery can be a hidden cost that many people don’t account for. It is not inexpensive to move a several thousand pound recycling baler or compactor across the country. Delivery does not just include freight cost, but also making sure your equipment arrives undamaged. It also requires due diligence be done with scheduling. You need to make sure you have your electrical power and cement pad footing ready to go before the machine arrives. Not coordinating these things could lead to you having to pay for a second delivery or unnecessary storage fees. But, when working with experienced sales and customer service team like Harmony, we can help find you the most efficient, dependable, and cost saving freight and delivery.
Installation – Be On The Same Page With All Involved For A Smooth Install. Installation should be arranged so that all of the “t’s” are crossed and the “i’s” are dotted before the machine and service technician arrive on site. Harmony partners with every customer to complete an installation checklist that verifies which products will be installed, the date, the electrical, the receiving area, installation area, forklift rating, dock height, and much more. If one of these items is not verified, it can lead to additional costs and frustration.
Training – Knowing How To Safely Operate Your Machine Should Be Included In Your Purchase. Your baler or compactor should come with some level of training in addition to what is outlined in the Owner’s Manual. Depending on your equipment purchase, you, and the appropriate staff, should receive video or in-person training on how to safely operate and maintain your waste handling and recycling equipment. If you are not receiving necessary training as part of your purchase, it could lead to equipment failure, down time, or even worse, personal injury. Harmony provides training for all of our equipment.
Labor Efficiency – Saves You Time & Money. Efficiency is an element of ownership that cannot be evaluated on the front part of the sale, but should be experienced once the machine is in operation. Harmony’s expert engineering staff consistently evaluates our products to make sure that they are running at peak efficiencies, with fast cycle times, and just the right combination of motors, pumps, and hydraulics. These design elements help you to reduce time and costs associated with recycling and waste handling labor.
Safety – More than just a financial risk. Safety is an area that no business owner, or manufacturer, should take lightly. Balers and compactors should have multiple safety features in addition to basic emergency shut offs and those required by federal guidelines. If someone were to be injured, the costs could be much more than just financial. You should ask your equipment manufacturer to articulate how their safety layers set them apart from the competition. Harmony’s balers and compactors have added layers of safety and meet or exceed OSHA and ANSI standards.
Harmony uses long lasting structural steel construction in our balers and compactors.
Longevity – How often will you have to replace your equipment? Harmony Enterprises prides itself on the longevity of our balers and compactors. We see countless examples of our equipment lasting for decades in the field. This is due to our durable structural design and construction. Some of our balers have been in use for 40 years! While many of our competitor’s machines last for only 5-8 years, the longevity of Harmony’s equipment pays for itself two-fold.
Maintenance – What does it cost to maintain your baler or compactor? If your machine is consistently breaking down or eating through consumable parts, what value can it offer you? Does your manufacturer offer competitive preventive maintenance plans in your purchase options? What type of warranty does the manufacturer extend? Harmony manufactures quality equipment that last, is easy to maintain, and comes with an industry leading warranty.
Parts Availability – Replacement parts should be available and affordable. There will be a time when you will need to replace some part on your baler or compactor. When that happens, you need a resource that stocks those parts at an affordable price and can get them to your repair technician in a timely manner. You also need the peace of mind knowing that replacement parts will not be made obsolete during the life of your baler or compactor. Harmony will carry replacement parts on our balers and compactors for up to 20 years beyond the date of manufacture. We utilize standard shelved OEM parts in our hydraulics and electrical, eliminating custom designs and longer lead times. Our parts department is knowledgeable, courteous, and will make sure you get the parts you need, when you need them.
Are You Getting The Lowest Total Cost Of Ownership?
So, the next time you are in the market for a baler or compactor, please take the time to ask the manufacturer about all of these factors that directly affect the TCO. Harmony Enterprises is proud to offer the Lowest Total Cost of Ownership, combined with a True Partnership Approach. Our quality equipment and services are used by satisfied customers in over 88 countries around the world. When you need recycling or waste handling equipment, contact the solutions provider for the entire industry. How can we help you today?
