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May 16, 2012
by EquipNet News
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Boston Consulting Group Forecasts Resurgence in U.S. Manufacturing

According to a recent report and survey released by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), changing economics are starting to favor the manufacturing of certain goods in the U.S. and more than a third of U.S.-based manufacturing executives at companies with sales greater than $1 billion are planning to bring back production to the United States from China or are considering it.

According to the survey, which was conducted in February, of the 106 decision maker respondents at companies across a broad range of industries, 37% said they plan to reshore manufacturing operations or are “actively considering” it. That response rate rose to 48% among executives at companies with $10 billion or more in revenues, which accounted for a third of the sample.

The top factors cited as driving future decisions on production locations were:

  • Labor costs (57%)
  • Product quality (41%)
  • Ease of doing business (29%)
  • Proximity to customers (28 %)

In addition, 92% said they believe that labor costs in China “will continue to escalate,” and 70% agreed that “sourcing in China is more costly than it looks on paper.”

These findings coincide with the BCG’s report released in March, U.S. Manufacturing Nears the Tipping Point: Which Industries, Why, and How Much?, in which BCG predicted that improved U.S. competitiveness and rising costs in China will put the U.S. in a strong position to add two million to three million jobs in a range of industries and an estimated $100 billion in annual output by the end of the decade.

May 15, 2012
by EquipNet News
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Planning a Demolition for Your Manufacturing Facility?

Sometimes, when a company closes a manufacturing facility, it decides that the best thing to do is demolish either part or all of the structure. If your company is facing a closing that will require demolition, there are several things to think about before you start talking to demolition contractors.

The first thing to consider is the impact your demolition will have on the environment. Are there hazardous materials in your building? Could there be lead paint on the structure? Could some of the building materials contain asbestos? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you will need a demolition contractor skilled in containing these hazardous materials.

The next thing to do is gather drawings or blueprints of your building for contractors to use in the bidding process. If you provide demolition contractors with drawings of the building, footing, and underground structures that will be demolished, you will get much more accurate bids from them.

Demolition projects require permits. Many of them can be obtained by the demolition contractor you choose, but some must be obtained by the owner of the building. Keep in mind that securing these permits can take a while, so make sure to give yourself plenty of lead time. You could need permits to disconnect or re-route utilities, or beneficial re-use permits.

The next important step is one EquipNet always emphasizes to our clients planning a demolition – conduct an equipment inventory. Knowing exactly what equipment is in your building, knowing its value, and making a deliberate plan for it instead of destroying it along with the structure can make the difference between a demolition project that costs money and one that makes money. Some companies can find hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue in a demolition project just by carefully planning for the equipment inside the building.

After you’ve taken these steps, think about what you want in a demolition contractor and start accepting proposals. At the same time, we urge you to contact us. We can help you not only complete your demolition safely and in a timely manner, we can help you maximize returns on the project. Please check out our Demolition Resource Center for more information.

May 14, 2012
by EquipNet News
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Hulk Smash! (Discarded Digital Devices)

We’ve discussed the topics of data security and e-waste on this blog from time to time. But a recent article in USA Today brings the two topics together, along with the favorite pastime of a certain green-skinned Avenger: smashing.

According to the article, discarded digital devices like old laptops, netbooks, and cell phones can contain sensitive personal information, up to and including bank account and Social Security numbers. Of 30 random devices purchased on craigslist, half were wiped clean and half were a gold mine of useful info for identity thieves.

Millions of Windows XP laptops, desktops, and netbooks are expected to be disposed of as Microsoft rolls out its Windows 8 operating system later this year. An XP hard drive can be difficult to extract data from and tricky to wipe completely clean. Resetting Google Android smartphones to the original factory settings doesn’t always work either.

So what’s the recommendation for keeping your old device from disgorging its secrets? McAfee identity theft expert Robert Siciliano says, “I would beat the thing to death.”

There you have it, from the expert. Destroy your tech before you dump it. Maybe you’ll even work out some pent-up aggression while you’re at it. Of course, once your tech is in pieces, you can contact EquipNet — an e-Stewards® Enterprise — to figure out what to do next.

Hulk smash, indeed.

May 9, 2012
by Julie Baker
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PharmTech Podcast about How Equipment Valuations Can Help Pharmaceutical Companies

PharmTech Interview with Chris Kinzie

Take a moment to listen to a recent Podcast interview with Chris Kinzie, Director of Appraisals and Valuations for EquipNet. In the interview, Kinzie provides some brief background on how pharmaceutical companies can use equipment appraisals, the differences in the types of appraisals, and the scenarios in which they may be used.

Here’s a preview of what you’ll learn about how certified valuations are used in and can benefit companies in the pharmaceutical industry. There are generally three types of appraisal reports that are used in the industry as mandated on a case-by-case basis by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), the generally accepted standards for professional appraisal practice in North America, including:

  • Self-contained report
  • Full summary report
  • Restricted-use report

There are generally two models of developing valuation reports:

  • The full summary method, in which an appraiser goes on site to collect all of the information needed to develop a certified valuation report.
  • The certified desktop method, a hypothetical assignment in which the appraiser assumes that the information coming from the client is true and accurate, and develops an appraisal report from the desk.

To learn more about equipment valuations in the pharmaceutical industry, you can listen to the entire PharmaTech podcast. To learn more about EquipNet’s valuation and appraisal services and how they can be used in your company, please visit our Valuations Services page.

May 7, 2012
by Julie Baker
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Industries Served by EquipNet

In order to be a knowledgeable resource for companies seeking surplus asset management, EquipNet serves just a few industries. By doing so, we’ve become intimately familiar with those industries and can provide our customers with top-notch service. We work with companies in the chemical, biotech, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries.

In the chemical industry, EquipNet is the go-to marketplace for companies that need to find, assess, and purchase equipment because our Marketplace is better stocked with pre-owned, MRO, and used or unused chemical equipment than any other supplier. Our Marketplace regularly lists transportation, warehouse, and processing equipment; lab and analytical equipment; plant utilities; and much more. We also help companies in the chemical industry shed unwanted or unused equipment. Read about some of our current projects we’re working on with sellers.

We’re proud to exclusively represent some of the major players in the biotech industry, including Millennium Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline. This exclusive representation means that buyers have access to a huge amount of good quality, high-tech equipment being sold by these major corporations. In our Marketplace, buyers will find bio analytical, bio processing, and vivarium products. Read about some projects we’re currently working on with sellers.

EquipNet is the largest supplier of used and unused pre-owned pharmaceutical equipment in the world. In our Marketplace you can find $100 million worth of pre-owned equipment from some of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the industry, including lab and analytical, warehouse, and processing equipment. Read about some projects we’re currently working on with sellers.

We also are well versed in the consumer goods industry. Our specialists know all about the equipment needed to process and package food, beverages, and personal care items. In our MarketPlace, you’ll find equipment being sold by well-known companies like Wrigley and Conagra, and our specialists help buyers locate, assess, and purchase the equipment they need. Read about current projects we have with sellers.

If your company falls under one of these industry umbrellas and you need help purchasing equipment or managing your surplus equipment, contact us today!