When making a large capital investment in your business, it is not only important to ensure you purchase the right product. You should also consider the level of support provided by the manufacturer and supplier after the sale.
This is especially true for finishing equipment like paint booths. You need someone you trust for the installation of your finishing equipment, as well as service, maintenance and planning for growth. It cannot be someone on the other side of the country, or on the other side of the world. It must be someone close to your business.
Local distributors make the entire life cycle of your paint booth a much easier and more profitable experience for your business. In addition to helping you find the right product for your needs, a local distributor can help you in the following ways.
Code Compliance
Many paint booth companies rely on field inspections after installation to determine if modifications are necessary to make their paint booth code compliant. This can result in unforeseen costs and delays.
Rather than gambling on field inspections, in which outcomes vary widely, a better option when selecting a paint booth is to choose a manufacturer and distribution network that is dedicated to ensuring their products are code compliant. A top-notch distributor should be well-versed in the latest versions of NFPA 33, as well as state and municipal regulations, and be comfortable working with building inspectors to achieve code compliance.
Your local distributor should help you create a safe environment for your business and employees by doing things such as:
- Recommending electrical service
- Advising on ductwork lengths
- Interpreting air quality laws
- Assisting with permitting
Service and Maintenance
Similar to a vehicle, a paint booth can develop problems and deteriorate faster if it is not maintained properly. Routine maintenance decreases the likelihood of your equipment failing, helps ensure your paint booth is operating efficiently and keeps your production costs low.
Local distributors do more than specify a schedule for changing air filters and booth cleaning. They are your go-to resource when you are in a pinch — whether you are in need of a rush order of filters or have booth maintenance issues.
Just as important, local distributors are often experts at finding ways to reduce operating costs. Additional profits can be discovered through streamlined shop processes and energy-saving technologies, such as high-efficiency light fixtures, direct-fired industrial air heaters, programmable control panels for optimum paint booth performance and accelerated drying systems that drastically cut drying times.
Growth Planning
Like all capital equipment, paint booths are designed to be part of your business for a long time. As your business’ production rates rise, your finishing equipment needs to be able to keep up with the increased demand.
A local distributor can help you with upgrading your paint booth or expanding your operation down the road. When recommending equipment, an excellent distributor will think beyond present-day volume. They make sure controls, heaters or other components can be updated without replacing the entire system. A long-term growth strategy takes priority over the sale of a single piece of equipment.
Recognizing the full value of a paint booth means looking beyond the purchase price. For instance, a cheaper booth from a manufacturer with no local support will cost you significantly more in the long run. You have peace of mind with a local distributor, knowing they will be there for you when you need them.
Understanding the importance of local support, Global Finishing Solutions (GFS) is proud to offer an extensive, experienced team of distributors throughout North America to assist you with initial purchasing decisions, as well as throughout the lifespan of your equipment and beyond.