Last month we stated that we looked for 1939 to start off with a “bang”! Well, here we are with the biggest issue in fifteen years—emphasizing the confidence of the Used Machinery Industry in the future of business.
The year has already started out with a “bang.” Machinery buyers are alert to this condition. Remember—the only machinery which is always available for immediate delivery is used machinery. As the fellow says— “It is, or it ain’t”!
During December we contacted numerous dealers around the country who expressed more real enthusiasm than we have heard in many a moon. Some reported that orders for the month topped any preceding month of the year.
It is progress, born of optimism, which makes the used machinery business possible. A far-sighted manufacturer will take a good machine tool installation out of production in order to replace it with a machine of faster and improved design. The replaced machinery will eventually find its way into another shop which does not require such rapid production. The same goes for the gradual changing of power plant installations from the old reciprocal engine to the modern turbo or diesel.
Speaking of power plants, we were recently in the engine room of one of New York’s best known hotels. Here every kw of electricity running motors, lights, elevators, refrigeration and what have you was generated. The equipment was thirty-two years old and still running like clockwork. So the life and efficiency of machinery is not always governed by age.
This month the advertising pages of SURPLUS RECORD contain the largest selection of used and rebuilt industrial equipment and machinery ever published. Most of this machinery represents reinvested capital by dealers who have purchased it for stock. Productivity and condition are dominant factors to the dealer and the ultimate purchaser. Economy and efficiency are the watchwords of manufacturers today. We believe that the majority of this equipment offered by responsible dealers warrants anyone’s consideration. It will be to the user’s advantage to investigate.
