In an extremely price-sensitive world, every penny counts, and it is particularly important in manufacturing businesses whose monthly outgoings can be in the tens of thousands of pounds. Cost is everything!
In this article, we explain the value of weighing equipment to a business and the costs to a business if their weighing equipment breaks down.
First things first, we explore…
Why weighing equipment is so important in its day-to-day use
Weighing equipment, such as floor scales, bench scales, and checkweighers for example, are indispensable in manufacturing environments due to their role in ensuring;
- Product quality
- Process efficiency
- Compliance
- Safety
- Cost control
- Productivity
Accurate weighing is essential for ensuring the quality of raw materials, intermediates, and finished products. In industries like pharmaceuticals, food processing, and chemicals, precise measurements are necessary to maintain product consistency and meet regulatory standards.
In addition, weighing equipment helps to improve manufacturing processes by ensuring that the correct quantities of ingredients or components are used. This can lead to cost savings by minimizing waste and improving efficiency.

Weighing equipment can also facilitate accurate inventory management by providing real-time data on material usage and stock levels. This information helps in preventing situations of having no stock, affecting production, and even minimizing the risk of having too much stock.
Furthermore, many industries are subject to strict regulations regarding the handling and tracking of materials. Weighing equipment with appropriate documentation and reporting features, ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and enables traceability throughout the production process.
Its day-to-day use is essential for maintaining smooth operations and achieving business objectives.
Now that we are aware of how important weighing equipment is, it’s even more important to look after and maintain this equipment, and here is why…
The importance of weighing equipment maintenance
Maintaining weighing equipment is essential in manufacturing environments for several important reasons, these include:
- Preserving accuracy
- Consistency
- Compliance
- Safety
- Longevity
- Cost efficiency
- Operational efficiency
- Data integrity
Working with a weighing equipment expert helps to ensure that the equipment functions properly, delivers accurate measurements, and supports smooth and reliable operations.
Regular maintenance ensures that weighing equipment remains accurate and reliable. Over time, factors such as wear and tear, environmental conditions, and mechanical drift can affect the precision of the equipment. Routine calibration and maintenance help to mitigate these issues and ensure accurate measurements.
Malfunctioning or improperly maintained weighing equipment can pose safety risks to workers and the surrounding environment. Regular maintenance helps to identify and address potential safety hazards, minimizing the risk of accidents or injuries.

Expert maintenance extends the lifespan of weighing equipment, reducing the likelihood of breakdowns and the need for costly repairs or replacements. By addressing minor issues early on, maintenance helps to prevent more significant problems that could result in downtime or production delays.
Investing in regular maintenance can ultimately save money by reducing the need for emergency repairs, minimizing downtime, and prolonging the lifespan of equipment. Well-maintained weighing equipment is also more efficient, contributing to overall cost savings in operations.
Despite regular maintenance, breakdowns can still occur which will result in costs for your business, find out how big or small these costs are below.
What happens in the event of a breakdown
Several factors can impact a business if a piece of its vital equipment breaks down, these can include:
- Production delays
- Downtime costs
- Quality issues
- Resource waste
- Safety risks
- Reputation damage
- Emergency repair costs
- Operational disruption
Equipment breakdowns can lead to interruptions in the production process, causing delays in meeting production schedules and customer orders. This can result in increased lead times, backorders, and potential penalties for failing to fulfill contractual obligations on time.
Downtime resulting from equipment breakdowns can incur significant financial costs for the business. During periods of inactivity, the company may still incur overhead expenses such as labour costs, utilities, and facility maintenance, without generating revenue from production.
If weighing equipment is critical for ensuring the accuracy and consistency of product formulations, breakdowns may lead to quality issues in finished products. Inaccurate measurements or improper mixing of ingredients can result in defective products that fail to meet quality standards, leading to rework, scrap, or customer complaints.

When weighing equipment is not functioning correctly, there is a risk of wasting raw materials, ingredients, or resources. Over or under-dosing of materials due to inaccurate measurements can lead to waste, increasing production costs and reducing profitability.
To address equipment breakdowns promptly, the company may need to incur additional costs for emergency repairs or replacement parts. These costs can be higher than planned maintenance expenses and may strain the company’s budget.
However, some emergency breakdown callouts, labour, and spare parts might be covered in an annual maintenance contract by an external supplier.
Who to contact if you experience a breakdown
When a breakdown occurs with weighing equipment in a manufacturing environment, the appropriate course of action depends on the severity of the issue, the company’s internal protocols, and the resources available. Here are some common steps that may be taken:
- Call on your internal maintenance team
Many manufacturing facilities have internal maintenance teams or technicians trained to handle equipment breakdowns. In the event of a breakdown, the team may be notified, and they will assess the situation, troubleshoot the problem, and attempt to repair the equipment. - Go back to the equipment supplier or manufacturer
If the weighing equipment is under warranty or maintenance contract, the manufacturer or supplier may provide technical support and assistance with repairs. Contacting the supplier’s service department or technical support hotline can initiate the process of getting the equipment back up and running. - Contact a third-party service provider
Some companies outsource maintenance and repair services to third-party providers that specialise in equipment maintenance. These service providers can be contacted to provide immediate assistance in diagnosing and repairing the breakdown. - Use emergency response services
In cases of severe breakdowns or emergencies, companies may have arrangements with emergency response services or on-call technicians who can provide rapid assistance. These services may be available 24/7 to address critical issues and minimize downtime. This may be your equipment supplier or third-party service provider.

How to mitigate the consequences of equipment breakdowns
Companies often implement preventative maintenance programs, invest in spare parts and keep them in stock, and develop contingency plans for addressing unplanned downtime.
Having backup equipment or alternative production processes in place can also help to minimize the impact of a breakdown on operations.
When it comes to deciding what’s best for your business, and the costs associated with unwanted breakdowns, we hope the information above provides some insights and helps you to think about what the actual costs to your business would be if you did have a breakdown.
If you have an internal team on-site to deal with any repairs and maintenance that’s extremely valuable, however, if you would like to have peace of mind that you are covered in the event of a breakdown for your weighing equipment, a service contract might be the answer. With this, you are aware of the cost in advance, enabling you to budget for it, also knowing that you can call on industry experts to assist you within an agreed SLA.
Get in touch with us
If you are thinking of appointing or changing a service provider and would like some information or advice, we’d be happy to discuss your requirements. Visit our contact page to get in touch or use our live chat to speak to one of our experts.