In many manufacturing companies, technology and spare parts that have no use in operations gradually pile up. This may be equipment left over after modernising a production line, and even completely new components. Stock like this need not take up space in the warehouse for nothing. We will advise you on how to get rid of it in an economically advantageous way.
Unused stock ties up money and space
The problem with old stock is often not the physical space itself, but the fact that it ties up money for nothing. Although the company will no longer use it in practice, its value continues to be recorded in the accounts, which can distort the real picture of the company’s finances. Slovak regulations make it possible to address this by creating what is known as a valuation allowance during stocktaking, if the stock has lost its economic value (it is best to consult the specific procedure with your company accountant); usable and new spare parts or parts of the technology can also be sold off.
What most often stays in warehouses?
After modernisation or the scrapping of technology, it need not be only stock in the form of material. Companies may be left, for example, with:
- PLC control units,
- I/O modules,
- HMI panels,
- frequency converters,
- servomotors and servo amplifiers,
- power supplies,
- lifting equipment,
- industrial computers,
- drives and motors,
- robotic components,
- CNC components,
- spare parts,
- single-purpose machines,
- parts of production lines.
New and unused machines as well as older technology
An interesting category within stock is equipment that is new and unused but no longer has a use in the company. It may be equipment and spare parts purchased for a project that was never carried out in the end, or machine tools and even whole production lines left over after a change in the production process. An unwanted stock surplus, however, may be exactly what another company needs.
Many plants operate machines that are older but still do their job, where the problem may be the availability of spare parts. The technology is no longer state of the art, but production on it still works, and completely replacing the equipment would be too expensive or would require a long shutdown. It is in a situation like this that an older model of PLC, HMI panel, drive or another component can have value precisely because it is compatible with the existing equipment. Instead of completely replacing the whole technology, obtaining a specific spare part may be what matters to the operator.
Do you have technology and spare parts you will never use again?
If your warehouses also contain technology you do not need, it can be offered for buyback. Unusable items will be designated for recycling or another lawful form of handling.
Buying industrial machines and spare parts is an advantageous alternative
Besides being financially advantageous, buying machines is also more environmentally friendly. European legislation works with the principle that preparation for reuse takes precedence over recycling, and recycling over disposal. For electrical and electronic equipment, the European Commission also emphasises the importance of reuse, recycling and the efficient use of resources.
An older PLC module, frequency converter or spare part may be unnecessary for one company but of practical value to another. As long as equipment can still be used for its original purpose or as a spare part, it is not appropriate to look at it automatically as nothing but waste.
How to proceed when disposing of unused stock?
If you have a warehouse in your company full of equipment that no longer has a use, we recommend starting with a simple stocktake.
- Find out what is in the warehouse
- Divide the stock by condition and separate new items from used, damaged or non-functional equipment.
- Check what you will still need.
- If you no longer need them, you can look into the options for sale or buyback.
- The rest will be designated for disposal.
Buying technology and disposal
Our company buys both new and older technology and spare parts. We assess every enquiry individually according to the type of equipment, its technical condition and current market value. Would you like to know what your stock is worth? You can use any of our contacts.