MachinePoint is a private owned company that offers solutions to companies that need to relocate their surplus equipment and sells them internationally outside their competition area.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
MachinePoint: The area of activity is focused in 3 markets attended by 3 different Directos internally:
- Beverages and dairy industries;
- Plastic packaging, recycling, film & thermoforming;
- Extrusion for pipes & profiles, and blow extrusion.
E.E: What’s the news for 2021 about new products?
MachinePoint:More than new products 2021 have brough us new ways of doing business. Unthinkable previously that used equipment could be sold without personally inspected them, last 12 months most equipment has been sold with online inspections. Extra services such as local audits by reputable companies have helped buyers make their decision. Also, an extended international network of local services for dismantling, packaging & loading have been key to make this possible.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
MachinePoint:Due to the crisis caused by COVID we have seen a strong rebound in demand for used machinery worldwide in all the machinery industries we cover. Those directly affected by the pandemic have seen unimaginable increases in demand, such as machines for the production of gels and plastic panels.
The reason for this increase in used machinery demand is the economic instability caused by COVID and the need to adapt to unforeseen circumstances quickly. Used machinery allows a machine to be put into production in record time, there is no waiting time. Uncertainty pushes companies to reduce risks and budgets, and used machinery is a way to reduce investments.
We have noticed that companies in the food sector have had during the last 12 months their production at full capacity, which has caused a deficit in supply of this type of machinery on the market.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
MachinePoint: The way of closing deals has changed and has move online. Even when our customers and ourselves are dying to go back to see innovations in person, in events like trade fairs for example; we think much more will be done online in the future.
Companies will feel more comfortable to present products online, in smaller audiences but more targeted. Customers are less reluctant to close deals online, which could increase the speed in which deals are closed as less travelling is required.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2021?
MachinePoint: We expect the dynamic on the market to change in the upcoming months with the increase of the vaccination campaign and the return to previous pre COVID situation. We have already seen a decrease in demand for used machines, probably connected to a decrease in uncertainty, the market has calm down a bit.
However, there is still little supply of used machinery in the market at the moment, but we expect this to increase in the upcoming moths. Some countries are giving government help to the industry to invest in new machinery which will help to free some used one.