International Process Plants is the world’s largest seller of used process plants and equipment. The company helps industries around the world save time and money by simplifying plant and process transitions.
Interview with Ross Gale, Vice President of International Process Plants and President of Gale Process Solutions.
Ross, IPP is widely known as the global leader in used process plants and equipment. How does working with IPP give customers a cost and time advantage?
Ross Gale: At International Process Plants, we deliver two things our customers need most: speed and savings. Buying new process equipment can mean lead times between six and 24 months, and sometimes longer, and building a new plant from scratch can take three to five years — and cost far more than initially estimated. By working with IPP, companies slash lead times by up to 90% and cut capital equipment and engineering costs by 50% to 70%.
We maintain the world’s largest inventory of used process plants, complete process units and major equipment systems, all ready for immediate shipment. That kind of availability can be the difference between seizing a market opportunity or missing it entirely. In today’s volatile times and global economic uncertainty, that’s more important than ever.
Beyond the cost and time savings, what else sets IPP apart from other used equipment sellers?
R.G: Scale, trust and now our ability to also deliver hard-to-find new process equipment — both from inventory or custom fabricated through our relatively new and innovative Gale Process Solutions, which I want to talk more about later.
But back to IPP. We operate in more than 15 countries, and we’ve built relationships with over 160,000 customers across 47 years. Our expertise isn’t just in selling equipment — it’s in helping customers find the right solution for their operational and financial goals. We offer a full turnkey approach to sellers of assets as well, from purchasing, dismantling and relocating full plants to delivering ready-to-ship reactors, dryers, heat exchangers and more. Plus, our commitment to sustainability — including recycling more than 95% of plant materials during decommissioning — resonates strongly with today’s manufacturers.
You’ve recently expanded your reach through the IPP Group of Companies. Can you explain how GPS fits into the bigger picture?
R.G: Gale Process Solutions, or GPS, was created to fill a gap we saw in the market. GPS offers new, customized process equipment manufactured with dramatically reduced lead times compared to traditional OEMs. Through GPS, we partner with excellent manufacturers and leverage unused production capacity to build high-quality stainless-steel, Hastelloy and specialty alloy reactors, dryers, heat exchangers and filter dryers. Customers can expect lead times about 50% shorter and costs about 25% lower than traditional new builds. GPS extends IPP’s mission: helping companies move faster, spend smarter and operate more efficiently.
And what about Universal Glasteel Equipment (UGE)? How does UGE support IPP customers?
R.G: UGE is our answer for companies needing glass-lined reactors, tanks and parts. We sell new, reglassed and good-quality used glass-lined equipment, serving the global specialty chemical, pharmaceutical, and industrial chemical marketplace with fabrication and rebuilding operations in Romania, the United States, Mexico and India. Importantly, UGE holds an ASME ‘R’ Certificate, which means we’re certified to perform pressure vessel repairs and alterations — a huge advantage for North American customers who need fast service, with European certifications to serve that market as well.
Whether customers need a brand-new glass-lined reactor or a reglassed unit ready for immediate delivery, UGE shortens project timelines and offers significant savings over traditional OEMs.
How does the IPP Group of Companies help customers manage risk in today’s volatile economic environment?
R.G: Risk management starts with flexibility and speed. If you’re waiting 12 to 18 months for a new reactor or committing to a massive capital project with uncertain market conditions, you’re exposing your company to serious risk. By working with IPP, GPS and UGE, customers can pivot faster. They can add capacity, launch a new process or modernize operations without overextending capital or waiting for long supply chain timelines. Plus, every piece of used or reconditioned equipment we sell undergoes inspection, testing and, if needed, refurbishment to meet rigorous operational standards.
What advice would you give companies evaluating whether to build new or buy used in today’s climate?
R.G: Look beyond just the sticker price. Time-to-market, opportunity cost, flexibility — those are real numbers that can make or break a project. In times of uncertainty, agility wins. Choosing used or repurposed assets from IPP, or custom-built solutions from GPS or UGE, allows companies to move quickly, conserve capital and stay competitive without compromising quality. And if your needs change, you haven’t tied up millions in assets that are now difficult to redeploy.
How does IPP’s approach position customers for success now and in the future?
R.G: At IPP, we don’t just sell equipment — we sell options and solutions. In a world where markets shift faster than ever, having options is power. Whether you need a full API plant, a specialized centrifuge or a glass-lined reactor, the IPP Group of Companies gives you the tools to act decisively. It’s about speed, savings and smart strategy — and it’s how we’ve helped companies worldwide thrive for nearly half a century.
Need speed, savings or strategy? Ask an expert at IPP.