The time to retrofit is now!
Anti-cyclical investment in retrofitting presses.
Modernizing existing presses while retaining most of the machine's functionality is known as a retrofit. The machine itself is retained, but the control technology is usually revised or replaced. This fulfills new safety standards and increases flexibility and throughput.
Acyclical investment in press retrofits provides companies with a strategic opportunity to exploit economic advantages. This is especially true in times of economic uncertainty or slowdown. A retrofit offers considerable fiscal, commercial and technical advantages. Compared to a new purchase, a retrofit not only reduces costs, but also improves the efficiency and productivity of the systems.
Financial benefits
Retrofit projects are usually characterized by lower acquisition costs compared to new machines. The higher costs for a completely new investment are eliminated, which leads to increased cost efficiency. Retrofitting also reduces the amount of training required, as the modernized system is similar in its basic features to the existing machines, which minimizes training costs. The shorter downtimes of on-site retrofitting are a further advantage, as they ensure a continuous production flow.
Modernizing a machine through a retrofit project extends its service life. This is a considerable improvement, not least from the point of view of sustainable use of resources. Older systems can be technologically upgraded through targeted interventions and thus brought back up to date. This increases planning and operational reliability and makes the machine usable for many years to come. Keywords such as cost efficiency, staff retention and planning reliability underline the commercial benefits of retrofitting.
Tax benefits
A retrofit can be particularly attractive from a tax perspective, as it is possible to deduct the full amount of the expense directly. This reduces the taxable profit and therefore the tax burden. In addition, the planned retrofit can be realized via leasing or financing models, which expands the company's financial scope and makes the investment process more flexible.
Technological possibilities
From a technical point of view, a retrofit significantly improves the availability and efficiency of machines, as modern components and monitoring systems can be integrated into the existing system. New technologies such as envelope curve monitoring and condition monitoring enable precise control and monitoring of machine conditions. The introduction of modern process monitoring and diagnostic tools increases product quality, as problems can be identified and rectified more quickly. A retrofit also enables the conversion to energy-efficient systems, such as the replacement of servo drives or hydraulic components. This not only increases productivity, but also reduces the operating costs and energy consumption of the machines. Other technical benefits include retrofitting current safety equipment, meeting new standards and optimizing user-friendliness through new control concepts. These measures mean that the machines can be better integrated into modern automation systems, making the production process more efficient overall.
Retrofitting right now!
There are currently particular opportunities for retrofitting, as the delivery times for new machine components are significantly shorter than in previous years. Companies therefore have the opportunity to carry out retrofits quickly and efficiently. In addition, economically uncertain times make anti-cyclical investments particularly attractive. While many companies are reluctant to make major investments, targeted modernization of existing systems can secure long-term competitive advantages. The current economic conditions require companies to be adaptable, which is ideally supported by retrofit projects. Production processes can be stabilized and optimized, which increases efficiency and reduces costs. Right now, energy optimization is crucial to counteract rising energy costs and improve the sustainability of production facilities.
Summarized briefly
Anti-cyclical investment in retrofitting presses is a future-proof strategy. Retrofitting helps companies to bring their production systems up to the latest state of the art and save costs at the same time. The combination of fiscal, commercial and technical benefits, as well as the ability to seamlessly integrate existing systems into modern production environments, makes retrofitting an attractive option. Particularly in economically uncertain times, this investment strategy can offer decisive competitive advantages and contribute to the long-term stability of the company.
TRsystems Automation – Your partner for retrofitting
TR-Automation has extensive practical expertise in retrofitting, modernizing and overhauling machines and systems in the press shop: TRsystems Automation supports users in bringing outdated presses, press lines, blank loaders, coil lines, automation systems and hydroforming systems back up to the latest state of the art. After analyzing the current condition of press machines and systems, TRsystems Automation advises on the necessary modernization measures and carries them out with experienced experts.
Author: Andreas Thanassakis
Press article including photograph