Features Equipment & Systems
Three reasons to use genuine parts

• Employee safety. Safety can be compromised when process machinery equipment is not properly maintained with genuine parts. Extensive research, time, and money are invested in developing OEM products to ensure the highest standards of safety and performance are met. When using knock-off parts, there is no guarantee these components meet the OEM’s current standards. They are not subjected to the OEM quality requirements or design standards, and are often made from substitute materials which drives the lower purchase cost. Off-spec designs, however, can affect the function and safety of the product, which can lead to premature wear, damage to equipment, and even accidents, putting operators at a considerable safety risk.

• Operating performance. Using genuine parts is the only way to ensure the highest product quality and integrity is maintained. It is also the only way to ensure you have the latest material specs and design for the product.

• Return on investment. The life-cycle cost of parts from third-party suppliers is invariably much higher when knock-offs are made to a different quality standard. The initial purchase cost can often be higher when parts do not fit correctly or need to be re-machined to fit the current geometry of the mating component.

According to Steve Fielding, vice president of applications and technology at Kadant Solutions, “Using genuine parts ensures the highest product quality and integrity is maintained when repairing OEM equipment. We have witnessed numerous cases of aftermarket parts used incorrectly leading to equipment damage, production losses, and safety risks.”

This post was originally published on the Kadant blog.