When considering your upcoming construction project, you might contemplate which materials will best achieve a harmonious balance of aesthetic appeal, functionality, and environmental responsibility. In this context, glass aggregate emerges as a notable option. Once you’ve reached that conclusion, you will likely start to wonder, “What are the advantages and disadvantages of using glass in construction?”

Glass has become a preferred choice among those who strive to push design boundaries while prioritizing sustainability, as it is notable for its ability to be used in everything from making aggregates like sand to becoming backfill for foundations. Like all materials, however, there are advantages and disadvantages of using glass in your construction project that you will want to consider. Keep reading to learn more about these aspects, providing you with clear insights to guide your decision on whether using crushed glass in your aggregates is the right choice.

What Should I Know About Using Glass Crushers to Create Aggregates?

In planning your next construction or landscaping project, you may be exploring materials that offer durability and utility and contribute positively to the environment. This thought process brings you to an innovative solution: using crushed glass aggregates produced by glass crushers.

Crushed glass has gained traction among engineers and landscape architects as a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional building materials. Opting for crushed glass aggregates is a decision that encompasses both environmental stewardship and the pursuit of unique design possibilities. However, weighing the benefits and drawbacks of incorporating crushed glass into your projects is essential. This discussion aims to provide you with comprehensive insights to inform your choice.

What Are Some of the Benefits of Crushed Glass Aggregates?

Crushed glass aggregates stand out in construction and landscaping for their unique aesthetic appeal and functional qualities. These different types of glass, from glass bottles to old windows, are transformed by crushing machinery into versatile materials suitable for various applications. Here’s how integrating crushed glass can redefine your project:

• Environmental Impact: By repurposing glass waste, crushed glass aggregates significantly reduce landfill usage and the ecological footprint of projects.
• Energy Savings: The reflective properties of crushed glass can contribute to reducing heat absorption in outdoor areas, potentially lowering cooling costs, depending on the aggregate used in your project.
• Connection to Nature: Using recycled material promotes a deeper connection to environmental conservation efforts, aligning your project with sustainable practices.
• Improved Drainage: Crushed glass aggregates facilitate better water drainage compared to traditional materials, promoting healthier landscapes.

Choosing crushed glass aggregates opens up new possibilities in design and sustainability, offering an attractive, eco-conscious material option for contemporary projects.

Is Crushed Glass Aggregate Energy Efficient?

A notable benefit of crushed glass aggregate that appeals to both builders and property owners is its contribution to energy efficiency in construction and landscaping projects. The reflective properties of crushed glass allow it to enhance light distribution, which, depending on the project, might reduce the need for additional lighting sources in outdoor areas. This characteristic can save energy, particularly in spaces that maximize natural light.

Additionally, crushed glass as an aggregate can contribute to better thermal insulation in specific contexts, thanks to its inherent properties when used with other building materials. Such innovative applications spotlight crushed glass as a component in achieving more energy-efficient construction outcomes.

What Are Some Disadvantages of Using Crushed Glass Aggregate?

While crushed glass’s aesthetic and eco-friendly advantages make it a popular choice for modern aggregates and projects, it’s essential to consider potential drawbacks. Recognizing these can guide you toward decisions that effectively balance beauty, utility, and environmental impact.

• Acoustic Properties: Like its parent material, crushed glass doesn’t offer significant sound insulation. This limitation might be relevant in projects near high-noise areas.
• Energy Consumption in Recycling Process: While less energy-intensive than producing new glass, recycling glass into aggregates still consumes energy, which could impact its overall environmental footprint.
• Costs and Availability: High-quality processed glass aggregates, particularly those treated for specific qualities, may come at a higher price or be less readily available than traditional materials.
• Maintenance: Depending on the application and aggregate produced, crushed glass might require maintenance to retain its aesthetic qualities, such as regular cleaning to remove debris or prevent clouding.
• Structural Considerations: Additional durability and safety considerations must be considered when using crushed glass in areas prone to natural disasters, such as earthquakes or floods.

Acknowledging these challenges is essential for anyone considering incorporating crushed glass aggregates into their projects. Despite these potential issues, the unique benefits of crushed glass often make it a compelling choice for those seeking to combine design innovation with environmental consciousness.

What Are the Benefits and Disadvantages of Recycled Glass in Construction?

Using recycled glass in construction brings a mix of environmental advantages and practical considerations. Glass is exceptional because it can be recycled repeatedly without losing its quality or purity, making it a standout choice for sustainable building practices. By turning recycled glass into a critical component, the construction sector greatly aids the circular economy.

This approach helps save valuable natural resources and reduces the amount of waste ending up in landfills. Research and practical applications have shown that incorporating recycled glass in various construction processes, such as mixing it into concrete, not only supports environmental goals but also improves the quality of building materials.

Benefits of Recycled Glass in Construction:

• Protecting the Environment: Using recycled glass reduces landfill waste and saves raw materials, aligning with green construction principles.
• Lower Energy Use: Making new glass products from recycled materials uses less energy, which means lower carbon emissions and a healthier environment.
• Stronger Building Materials: Studies suggest that concrete mixed with glass powder might be stronger and more resistant to harsh weather and chemicals, making buildings last longer.

Considerations When Using Recycled Glass in Construction:

• Potential for Chemical Reaction: In some cases, glass mixed into concrete can chemically react, causing expansion and cracking over time.
• Consistency in Quality: The varied types of glass and possible impurities can make it challenging to keep the quality of recycled glass consistent.
• Cost and Supply Issues: The price and availability of quality recycled glass can vary by location and the presence of recycling facilities, which may affect project costs and timelines.

In essence, while recycled glass offers significant environmental and material benefits for construction projects, it’s crucial to manage the challenges that come with it carefully. The industry can enhance the positive impacts while addressing any limitations through ongoing innovation and research into better ways to use recycled glass in construction.

Understand the Advantages and Disadvantages of Glass in Construction Today!

The integration of glass into construction is a testament to the industry’s evolution towards more sustainable and efficient practices. You’ve learned about the advantages and disadvantages of glass in construction. Its ability to enhance aesthetic appeal, conserve energy, and support environmental sustainability makes glass a staple in modern architecture and construction. The emphasis on recycled glass further highlights the sector’s dedication to minimizing ecological footprints and fostering sustainable development. However, there are privacy and acoustic performance concerns with it.

Glass recycling capabilities are a game changer for construction industries. You can pivot towards an even more eco-conscious approach by directly considering machinery for glass recycling at construction sites. This innovative step streamlines the recycling process and significantly reduces waste and transportation costs, reinforcing the commitment to sustainability.

Incorporating recycled glass into your construction projects is more than just a nod to green building—it’s a strategic move towards a more sustainable future. With the added advantage of onsite glass recycling machinery, the path to reducing environmental impact and embracing the full spectrum of glass’s benefits in construction becomes clearer. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you design and build a  glass recycling system for your construction projects!

Would you rather work in a facility with no safety precautions and face unnecessary risk to your life every day, or would you rather work somewhere that always values your safety? If you were working in an environment that didn’t have safety measures, you would likely experience additional stress due to constantly worrying about the potential for injury. This worry isn’t exclusive to the mineral processing industry. Employee health and safety should be one of the most critical concerns in every workplace.

This concern becomes even more crucial for businesses operating aggregate equipment in bulk processing companies. The risk of injuries and even fatalities is significantly higher in these industries due to the nature of the work. This blog aims to provide strategies to minimize these risks and create a safe and healthy environment for employees.

Understanding the Risks

Occupational safety and health standards are designed to protect employees from potential hazards in the workplace. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the risk of work-related injuries in the bulk processing industry is higher than in other sectors. These hazards can range from physical harm caused by machinery to health conditions resulting from exposure to harmful substances. Recognizing these risks is the first step toward prevention. Here are some examples of risks your employees might face and how you can minimize them:

• Exposure to Dust: Workers are often exposed to high levels of dust, which can lead to respiratory diseases. To minimize this exposure to dust, businesses can provide appropriate respiratory protective equipment and install ventilation systems to reduce dust levels.
• Heavy Machinery Accidents: Heavy machinery misuse can lead to serious injuries. Regular maintenance and safety checks of machinery, proper training for operators, and ensuring the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) can significantly reduce these accidents.
• Chemical Hazards: Workers may be exposed to hazardous chemicals used in the process. Using safer alternatives where possible, proper storage and handling of chemicals, and providing appropriate PPE can mitigate these risks.
• Noise Exposure: Constant exposure to loud noise from machinery can lead to hearing loss. Providing workers with ear protection, implementing quiet zones, and scheduling regular breaks away from noisy machinery can help prevent this.
• Heat Stress: Working in hot environments can result in heat-related illnesses. Implementing heat stress management programs, which include rest breaks, providing cool water, and educating workers about the signs of heat-related illnesses, can alleviate this risk.
• Confined Spaces: Working in confined spaces can pose risks of suffocation, fire, explosion, and collapse. Ensuring proper ventilation, regular monitoring of air quality, and providing training on working safely in confined spaces can enhance worker safety.
• Ergonomic Hazards: Repetitive motion and heavy lifting can lead to musculoskeletal disorders. Implementing ergonomic solutions like adjustable workstations, providing mechanical lifting aids, and promoting regular stretch breaks can reduce these risks.
• Electrical Hazards: The use of electrical equipment in wet environments increases the risk of electrocution. Regular inspection of electrical equipment, use of ground-fault circuit interrupters, and providing electrical safety training can help prevent this hazard.
• Falling Objects: Workers can be injured by falling objects. Securing tools and equipment, installing toe boards or nets, and providing hard hats can protect workers from these injuries.

How Can You Foster Safety Culture in The Workplace?

Fostering a safety culture in the workplace is more than adherence to rules and regulations. You want to create an environment where safety is everyone’s responsibility. Leadership plays a crucial role in this endeavor, setting the tone for the organization through their attitudes and actions towards safety. Employers should encourage open communication, allowing employees to report safety concerns without fear of retribution. Additionally, making processes accountable, rather than individuals, can help prevent accidents before they occur.

Training ensures employees know how to work safely and react in emergencies. Regular sessions can reinforce safety rules, and hands-on training provides practical skills for handling hazardous situations. Involving workers in safety decisions increases their commitment to safety. Fostering a culture that encourages reporting of mistakes to prevent future incidents also contributes to a strong safety culture.

Finally, creative and engaging safety awareness efforts can help capture employees’ attention and ensure that safety messages are remembered. By integrating these factors, businesses can create a healthier, more productive work environment while complying with The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) regulations.

Implementing Safety Programs

OSHA recommends implementing employee safety programs to minimize risks and ensure compliance with federal law. These programs should involve both employers and employees in the planning stages. They should address all potential safety hazards and provide PPE as necessary.

Employers are legally responsible for providing a safe workplace free from recognized hazards. This responsibility includes providing training on the safe use of aggregate equipment, ensuring the proper functioning of safety equipment, and maintaining a healthy work environment.

How Can We Encourage Continuous Improvement in Employee Health and Safety Practices?

Encouraging continuous improvement in employee health and safety practices involves several key strategies. These include conducting fact-based analysis, regular risk assessments, and proactive performance evaluations to systematically identify and address potential hazards. These hazards can be something as simple as needing a replacement part for a piece of machinery or as complicated as needing to refresh an entire team on safety procedures through new training.

It’s crucial to make workplace health and safety a key performance focus, especially in high-risk industries, and to create specific focus areas beyond day-to-day operations. Communication should be continually evaluated and updated, and you should consider a wider range of indicators for a comprehensive safety program beyond more straightforward metrics like fatality and injury rates. Encouraging your employees to adopt a culture of continuous improvement can lead to a safer, more productive workplace. Remember, safety is an ongoing process that requires constant attention, review, and adjustment.

Do You Want to Prioritize Employee Health and Safety?

Ensuring employee health and safety requires a holistic approach. It involves understanding the risks, implementing robust safety programs, fostering a safety culture, and committing to continuous improvement. By prioritizing employee health and safety, businesses can fulfill their legal responsibilities and boost productivity and morale among their workforce.

A safe workplace is a productive workplace. Prioritize the health and safety of your employees today to reap the rewards tomorrow. If you need help with your machinery or want to learn more about how we can help provide the training your employees need to work more safely, get in touch with us today!

Bulk material handling equipment is essential for the success of numerous industries, from mining to construction. With this equipment, you can securely move heavy materials like rock, gravel, sand, and minerals. But how do you know which bulk material handling systems best fit your needs? Investing in the right bulk material handling equipment will significantly boost productivity and profitability!

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You’re on-site, and everything seems to be running smoothly. But suddenly, a piece of machinery malfunctions, and your operation comes to a screeching halt. Your maintenance team determines what’s wrong, but no one is sure if you have what you need on hand. The material handling parts storage isn’t organized, and no one has cleaned it out in ages, so while your team is looking for what they need, they are bombarded with non-critical parts that shouldn’t be in storage anyway.

At Kemper Equipment, we know how easy it is to let your storage space get disorganized because you’ve decided more parts are critical than they are. We have experience with all kinds of parts and can help you determine what components are genuinely essential to your operation. Whether during our on-site services while we troubleshoot your machinery or during regular operating hours, we want to share that information with you so you can better prepare for a potential malfunction.

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The transfer and transport of rock is what sets efficient, profitable quarries apart from those that are not. When you move rock from the source point to its final destination, it takes manpower and machinery to do so quickly and effectively; and without either, significant delays in the processing and production of aggregate may occur.

The method of transportation will depend upon the exact type of raw material (in this case, rock) and the weight or amount you need to move. Other factors include the location of your quarry—is it near rails, roads, or water. The source location may limit or provide additional forms of transportation. Specific types of rock may also require special consideration when moving, such as slate due to the risk of cracks and breaks during travel.

Common types of rock include:
• Chalk
• Clay
• Coal
• Sand and gravel aggregate
• Granite
• Gritstone
• Gypsum
• Limestone
• Marble
• Ores
• Sandstone
• Slate

Getting rock from point A to point B requires a system designed to expedite the process and make loading and unloading manageable. This is why conveyor systems are essential in mines, quarries, and any location where raw material is excavated.

The conveyor system

If your mined rock isn’t remaining at the quarry, you’ll need to get it from there to its final destination. Conveyor systems allow companies to move rock from mines, quarries, and other source locations to where they’ll be stored or processed further.

Once you decide how you will be transporting your rock, whether by rail, water, or truck, you’ll need an appropriate conveyor system to transfer the aggregate onto its transport. The type of system again depends on the type, quantity, and weight of the rock. There are several types of conveyor systems available to make the task easier.

Radial stacker: A cost-effective solution that lets you create stockpiles of rock or fine aggregate to reduce processing time. Radial stackers can load large trucks or cars with material with ease.

Overland conveyor: Capable of transferring up to 15,000 tons an hour, overland conveyors move rock above ground over long distances, across flat terrain or up and down hills. This system is ideal for moving a large quantity of rock to be processed or to its transport.

Railcar loading/unloading conveyor: These conveyors rely on vacuum or pressure systems to continuously load and transfer raw material. The railcar conveyor is ideal for maintaining a constant flow of rock, at high rates, and over long distances. This can be an incredibly convenient and efficient means of moving rock if your quarry has access to a rail.

Barge loading/unloading conveyor: This conveyor system is necessary if you’re using boats and freights to transport rock. Like the railcar system, this conveyor moves raw material to and from boats with ease. They can be combined with overland and stockpiling conveyors, too, to reduce heavy-equipment fuel charges while also achieving the highest stockpiling height possible.

Moving rock by truck

Trucks are perhaps the most common mode of transportation for quarry and construction companies forced to move rock. Trucks are easy to load and are capable of dumping loads at the final destination without assistance. The size and scale of trucks accommodate a range of weight and size requirements, making them a versatile and effective transport. They can move rock anywhere there is a road.

Haul trucks, in particular, are a large type of truck able to move rock between conveyor belts, stockpiles, and even the jaw crusher of a plant.

Depending on their size, make, and model, trucks can haul anywhere from 1,500 lbs. up to around three and a half tons.

Move rock by water

For quarries with access to navigable waterways, rivers become an option for moving rock. Hoppers and flat deck barges can both accommodate rock and other aggregate, with hopper barges capable of holding up to 1,700 tons of raw material.

Rail transport

When quarries are located near train rails, they can make use of rail shipping. Moving rock by rail is often more economical than by truck. This method is ideal for transporting raw material to parts of the country with limited local, natural stone resources or significantly low-quality stone product. When moving rock and aggregate by rail, material can be loaded into 100-ton bottom dump hopper cars, a single car, or in gondolas.

Remember that size of the rock is a variable in deciding how you may want to move your material as slab and aggregate will require different conveyors and forms of transport. How you move your rock from A to B ultimately depends on the scale of your operation. Efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and distance/process time are all factors you’ll want to consider during the decision-making process. Contact us to learn more about Kemper Equipment conveyors

While seemingly unassuming, sand is crucial for many industries. The uses and differences between each type of sand are varied. Cement and concrete rely on one variation of sand, while fiberglass uses another kind. Sand is also integral in creating glass products or iron and steel components. It’s understandable to see how much value sand has in society; many industries would suffer without it.

Moving sand easily from an operation to its final destination is imperative to keeping construction companies and other industries supplied with this essential material. While we at Kemper Equipment can help you design and build systems for your sand operations, there’s still the question of how you transport the material from your production facility to a new location as quickly as possible after it’s been processed.

Locating Sand

The first step to moving sand easily is locating it. Many people assume it’s easy to find, but it takes a significant amount of resources to develop deposits capable of producing sand products.

Sand is a very versatile material and is derived from many kinds of rock types, most of which include limestone, feldspar, and silicon dioxide. Producers may find it naturally below and above ground, in glacial deposits, sand dunes, arid environments, and natural lakes, seas, and oceans. After you’ve located the sand deposits, next comes the quarrying.

Quarrying Sand and Gravel Deposits

You may apply most of the tactics used for hard rock quarries to sand and gravel operations. The most significant difference between sand and gravel quarries and everything else is the land use these operations require. Sand and gravel deposits are typically shallow, so naturally, companies have to disturb more land to obtain the same volume of product.

Mining and Dredging: Sand Extraction

Typically, mining for sand comes from sources above ground, such as sand dunes, but operational facilities often dredge it from deep underwater excavations known as pits. Dredges are large structures that float in manmade or natural ponds.

They rely on a continuous chain of buckets or rotary cutting heads to dislodge material from below the water’s surface. The material is displaced and removed using a suction hose and separated from other mineral particles during the process. A dredge is a tool used for excavating the gravel, too.

Move Sand Easily with a Conveyor System

Once a deposit is quarried and mined, you must move it from the source through the rest of your process to its final destination. This endpoint can mean the sale of the sand or its use in construction and industrial products.

Conveyor systems using stationary or overland conveyors, telescopic conveyors, and radial stackers provide operations with a way to move sand across long distances, up and down hills, and onto the transport.

Usually, operations would require wheel loaders to build a stockpile, but conveyors work by moving sand across a conveyor belt and dumping it in stockpiles, making it a cost-effective option for moving sand within your production. Radial stackers move along a radius, efficiently dumping the product into manageable caches.  They remove the need for wheel loaders and reduce diesel, personnel, and maintenance costs in the process.

Conveyor and stacking systems offer customizable designs, from the length and width of the conveyor or stacker itself and belt width to the height of your stockpile and options including power radial wheels, chevron, or vulcanized belts, and hydraulics to extend the conveyor longer for larger stockpile size. A conveyor makes moving sand much more effortless.

For added convenience, conveyors can be designed to your specifications to meet your operational needs and budget. At Kemper Equipment, we can help design and build your system, so you know you are moving your sand product from processing to the end goal as efficiently as possible.

Additionally, whenever one of your conveyors or stacking systems requires repair or maintenance to keep your sand operation on track and moving quickly, don’t hesitate to contact us at Kemper Equipment. We have skilled technicians with the experience and knowledge necessary to help you get your operation up and running again as soon as possible.

How to Transport Sand Effectively

Three of the easiest methods for transporting sand to its final destination are by trucks, rail, or barge. Trucks are relatively simple to use, mainly in loading and dumping. Many trucks are capable of dumping their loads once they arrive at the destination without assistance. Trucks are also available in many sizes and models to satisfy several operational needs, making them a convenient option.

Transporting sand by open-top rail is the second option. For operations near train rails, rail shipment provides an efficient method of moving the raw material, reducing the fuel consumption and some of the spending associated with trucks. The partially automated nature of rail shipping is another benefit companies can appreciate. Custom railcar loading and unloading systems can be used with 100-ton dump hopper cars, gondolas, or single cars, creating a much smoother, continuous flow of material.

Barges are the third form of transport for sand. A typical hopper barge can transport up to 1,700 net tons of sand, roughly the amount it would take 17 rail cars, or 68 trucks, to move. From a logistics standpoint, barges are an excellent solution for moving sand from origination to destination.

The three options each have their own benefits:

• Trucks are convenient and come in a variety of sizes.
• Rail transportation is more economical.
• Barges have a much higher capacity, enabling companies to move more product in fewer trips.

However, they also have their drawbacks:

• Fuel costs are expensive to run trucks back and forth with any regularity.
• Rail transportation is limited to places that have access to rails.
• Similarly, barges are limited in their travel ability based on their water access.

Your selection will depend on the size of your operation and budget, but it will also depend on your location. Sometimes, you may need to use a combination of transportation methods to get your sand to where it belongs. Still, regardless of your choice or needs, sand is an easy raw material to move throughout the entire process when you utilize the proper equipment.

Are You Ready To Move Sand Easily?

When you’re ready to move sand easily, you need the resources to do so effectively. You can efficiently process and transfer your product from your production facility to the final destination with the right equipment. Get in touch with us today if you have questions about your current system and how you can improve your speed and profitability with our systems and equipment recommendations or repairs.

Investing in material handling equipment can be a stressful endeavor. It requires a great deal of capital and experience navigating material handling equipment suppliers, along with answering many questions you may not even know to ask.

To make the decision-making process easier, here are six questions to ask your material handling equipment supplier before you buy or rent from them.

1. If I want to source all of my material handling equipment from a single provider, would you be able to accommodate that?

It’s much simpler in the long run to deal with a single material handling equipment supplier. Having to purchase/rent equipment from different dealers and being serviced by all of those different dealers can be time-consuming and costly. Working within an established partnership means you’ll have access to reliable support, a knowledgeable dealer, and access to the parts and equipment you depend on.

2. Is this piece of equipment the one I need or just the one you have in stock?

Generally speaking, dealers want to make the sale, and some aren’t above offering equipment that they have in stock as opposed to providing you with equipment that matches the specifications you provided them with. You want to partner with a dealer who has your best interests in mind, and if their only concern is making money then they aren’t right for you.

3. If I buy from you, will you be able to support and assist me with the brands you’re able to provide?

Dealers will sometimes go out of their way to supply you with specialty equipment even if they don’t readily keep it or the brand in stock. This can mean that they may lack the knowledge, experience, and ability to support that piece of equipment once you buy it. Ask the vendor if they’re an official agent/dealer of the brand to ensure you’ll be able to get the in-depth product training only an official brand agent would have. Aside from the lack of support on the dealer’s part, you’ll also lose out on access to genuine OEM parts in the event you need maintenance or a replacement.

4. What’s the warranty—and under what conditions won’t you honor it?

Purchasing new material handling equipment always presents some form of risk, which makes warranties a very valid necessity. However, not all equipment will include a warranty—or the same kind of warranty—so it’s important to verify the full details of any warranty with the vendor, including whether it features an extended warranty or something that is more short-term. Also, be sure to verify that the warranty is one the dealer or manufacturer is able to honor.

5. What is your average response time for breakdowns, and do you offer 24/7 coverage?

Part of the trust you place in a material handling equipment supplier involves being able to count on them for routine servicing, but anyone in this business knows that it’s the unplanned maintenance you have to worry about most. It’s important to ensure that your supplier can respond to emergency call-outs in a timely manner, or else you risk losing money on downtime. Make sure to ask them how long their average response time for emergency call-outs is, and whether they’re available 24/7.

Another important question is whether they can provide customer support plans to cater to your unique needs. Every project is different and so is the array of equipment you’ll need. Will your material handling equipment supplier force a one-size-fits-all servicing plan on you, or will they work with you to find a solution that fits you best? Depending on the size of your operation or fleet, you may also want to ask about the possibility of on-site engineers or maintenance personnel.

Lastly, ask if they have any guarantee on their emergency service.

6. How can I be confident your business will be here and able to support me over the long-term?

Companies come and go, especially in the competitive materials handling industry. When a dealer can no longer compete, they’re typically forced into liquidation, are absorbed by another brand/company, or cease trading—all of which can leave their current list of clients scrambling for support and answers. Even manufacturers aren’t immune to the competitive landscape, forcing them and their available support to vanish from the market entirely.

In choosing a vendor, you’re electing to depend on them for new equipment, maintenance, and support; and you want to know you are dealing with a dealer or manufacturer that has substantial staying power. If you invest your money in a brand or dealer that goes out of business, you risk losing equity, money, and support, which can ripple into your own business. Losing your dealer support suddenly can lead to prolonged downtime as you attempt to find a new dealer, a new brand, or new support for the equipment you’ve already paid for or are renting. Discover why material handling systems and processing equipment is Better with Kemper.

Maintaining a high production volume and staying on budget are two of the biggest concerns our clients usually have about their upcoming jobs. In fact, most businesses can probably attest to having the worry that they will go over budget trying to meet production goals.

Construction companies, in particular, may face very tight budgeting restrictions, which forces them to think long and hard about how they’ll approach expenses each year. They also have to get creative in figuring out how to get the most out of their budget while keeping up with production needs, if not exceeding them.

Meet production goals

Production goals will vary between the business and its aggregate, but it’s generally measured in tons per day. The more tons you’re able to process each day, the higher your production; and it’s important to set baseline goals to support your bottom line so you know how to improve, and if you’re in danger of failing to meet a day’s given production goals.

Your daily production is affected by other factors including worker efficiency, and whether you performed maintenance or repairs that day. The key to handling the low production days is ensuring you stay on budget while you play catch-up or recover. This makes budgeting the most important part of your project’s plan because you have to make estimates and consider different outcomes that won’t occur until further down the road. So if you don’t want to spend more than you have but maintain a profitable level of production, start with understanding your budget.

Understanding your budget

Every project has a different budget they have to maintain, but it’s important to understand your financial limitations before proceeding with any big decisions, such as equipment purchases and rentals. Deciding whether you want to rent or outright purchase can be one of the biggest factors to influence your company’s ability to stay on budget and still maintain a high volume of tonnage.

When you know your budget then it’s time to carefully allocate those funds.

Identify expenses

This involves creating a list of the parts and machines you’ll need, as well as any personnel, vehicles, and other miscellanea your project might require. Everything should be accounted for so you know how to meet production goals in the most fiscally efficient way possible. If you don’t have enough to purchase the new equipment you could choose to buy used pieces, or you could simply rent equipment. If you know how long your job will take, deciding between new and used and purchase/rental becomes much simpler.

What many companies don’t realize is that there are financial perks to purchasing and leasing equipment—tax deductions and incentives that may make equipment costs much more manageable, which is particularly important for projects with a strict budget.

Pros and cons of leasing

Renting equipment preserves capital, offering financial flexibility with the potential downside of costing more over the course of time (as opposed to upfront). Some of the advantages of leasing include…

• Cost-effective: Leasing equipment requires a smaller initial expenditure compared to purchasing.
• Deductible: Rentals could be classified as businesses expenses, thus becoming tax deductible. This lowers the net cost of the lease.
• Flexibility: It’s usually easier to lease than it is to secure a business loan for purchasing equipment. The terms may also be more flexible, and makes a good advantage for companies with poor credit, or who require a longer repayment period to lower their costs.
• Upgradeable: The great thing about rentals is that when your lease period ends, you can upgrade to a new piece if the previous one is outdated or no longer meeting your needs.

There are downsides to leasing your equipment that should be considered as well.

• Lack of ownership: The most obvious downside is that you won’t own your equipment. That means you won’t build equity in it.
• Lease term obligation: Like any other kind of rental process, you’re usually obligated to make regular payments on your equipment, even if you have to stop using it. You might be able to cancel the contract under specific circumstances, but hefty termination fees could apply.
• Higher overall cost: Interest and repayment rates may increase the cost of something by several hundred dollars, or even thousands of dollars, compared to what you would have paid for simply purchasing a piece of equipment outright.

Pros and cons of purchasing

Buying your equipment and machinery is a huge financial commitment so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the benefits and disadvantages of making that decision.

• You own it: Ownership of a piece of equipment demonstrates a long-term investment in your company. Purchasing equipment is a great idea if you don’t anticipate the technology becoming outdated any time soon, or if you don’t want to manage payments or the hassle of a lease contract. You generally have the option to buy new or used, so consider the needs of your budget before deciding.
• Tax incentives and deductions: There are tax breaks companies can take advantage of that will allow them to deduct partially or fully the cost of new business assets in their first year of use. This depends on how long the equipment lasts for. Similarly, there are some deductions such as the depreciation deduction that may allow you to recover the cost of some of your purchase expenses.

As for owning, there are two noteworthy disadvantages to purchasing your equipment.

• Lack of upgradeability: Unless you’re certain that equipment you purchase won’t become obsolete in the near future, you could be stuck with it. This would force you to invest in a newer equipment, and receiving very little on the resale of your previous equipment.
• Higher initial investment: Unless your budget is bigger, you may have a difficult time affording the high initial expense. Borrowing money to make that purchase could add onto the overall cost, further increasing the amount you spend on buying something outright.

Remember: It’s important to consult a knowledgeable accountant before trying to determine if a cost is deductible or a capital expenditure. If you’re only using equipment part time or you can complete the job in under a year, you could be able to declare something that would have been a capital asset as a business expense instead, increasing your ability to recover the cost of leases and purchases.

Plan for future expenses

Parts may need to be replaced. Production could increase, necessitating more equipment, labor, or machinery; plan your budget accordingly so you’re prepared to spend what’s necessary to meet production goals.

You need specific tools, machines, and equipment to do business and its best for your production goals to avoid missing any of those essentials. Meeting budget is about manipulating the available funds to ensure you have everything you need to produce a high volume of aggregate or other material each day. Companies have options when it comes to staying on budget, from leasing over purchasing, to buying used as opposed to new.