When a filler starts limiting a line, plants usually weigh three options: keep repairing it, buy a new machine, or replace it with a remanufactured one. This article focuses on the last two and the questions worth asking before you decide.
What "remanufactured" should mean
A remanufactured filler is not a used machine with a fresh coat of paint. At World Packaging, remanufacturing means the filler is stripped down to the frame, every component is inspected, wear parts such as bearings, seals, gears and valves are replaced, upgrades are built in, and the machine is reassembled and tested before it ships. Ask any supplier to show you exactly what is replaced as standard and what is optional.
The comparison
| Factor | Remanufactured Meyer filler | New filler |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Up to 40% less than a comparable new machine | Highest capital cost |
| Fit with your line | Same footprint as the Meyer it replaces, so conveyors and product lines often stay as they are | Layout, conveyor and utility changes are common |
| Operator familiarity | Crews already know the machine; little retraining | New controls and procedures to learn |
| Parts | Uses the Meyer parts you already stock | New spares inventory required |
| Controls | Can be modernized with VFD drives, PLC controls and touch-screen HMIs | Latest controls as standard |
| Warranty | World Packaging: one-year warranty on non-wear parts | Varies by manufacturer |
| Installation | Installation supervision included at no charge in the US and Canada | Varies |
When remanufactured is the better fit
- You already run Meyer fillers and want to keep your layout, parts and training.
- Your package range and speeds fit within the Meyer family you run today.
- You need the machine sooner than a new-build lead time allows.
- Capital is limited, or the line has a defined remaining life.
When new makes more sense
- You are launching package formats or fill technologies the existing machine family was never designed for.
- You need speeds well beyond what your current valve count can deliver.
- You are building a new small-format line from scratch. In that case a compact machine such as our CP-12 counter-pressure filler is often the better starting point.
Questions to ask any supplier
- What is replaced as standard during remanufacture, and what is optional?
- Which upgrades are included (drive, valve opener, lift cylinders, guarding, CIP)?
- How is the machine tested before it ships, and can we witness it?
- What warranty applies, and to which parts?
- Who supervises installation and startup, and who supports us after?
- Can you take our existing filler in exchange?
Talk it through
World Packaging has been building and rebuilding Meyer/World fillers since 1993. See our remanufactured fillers, learn about rebuilding the filler you already own, or ask what is available now.