FIELD INSIGHT | MICHAEL COLLINS

Always ask about maintenance capability early, and not just whether they have a team. Ask what that team actually does. A place that only fixes what breaks needs a simpler, more durable conveyor than a place with a real PM program. When you're not sure whether a spot needs to move product or hold it, default to holding it, because you can always run an accumulation conveyor straight through, but you can't add accumulation after it's installed. And where there's no maintenance to speak of, a motor-driven roller system can be a good choice. It just usually costs more. Match the machine to the reality, not just the product.