Five vial labelling machine purchasing considerations

 

Many factors prompt a vial labelling machine purchase by pharma operations managers. Whether responding to increased product demand, equipping a new line for added capacity or replacing old technology, putting new machines into production presents inevitable challenges. 

Procurement strategies for a vial labelling machine begin with a customer specifying the requirements. Once a customer knows the requirements, a User Requirement Specifications (URS) is sent to potential suppliers to start a dialogue. The discussions with the supplier then lead to an updated and final URS. Changes may be made to the first URS draft as a customer gains more knowledge and understanding during talks with the supplier and therefore changes, adds or removes certain requirements. 

This purchasing conversation  with suppliers covers a lot of ground and setting priorities can help. The following five considerations should lead the conversation and help to deliver a holistic vial labelling solution, not just a machine:

1. Capacity and quality

One of the first things an equipment purchaser should know is if the machine has the capacity to meet  desired production targets. Does it have the capacity and flexibility required?

How will it fit into the production environment? Can it deliver the throughput needed without compromise the quality? Will it be integrated in-line or stand alone? This part of the dialogue is fundamental; can the equipment do the job?

2.  Regulatory requirements

Pharma’s regulatory environment is one of the strictest there is, and the regulatory foundation of the vial labelling technology should be given top priority. A machine suited for the pharmaceutical business must be able to answer regulators with a deep dive of documentation including URS, DS, DQ, IQ/OQ, PQ and FMEA risk analysis. Customers must decide, usually based on work load, whether they are able to create the documents themselves, outsource the task to the supplier or hire a consultant company. 

3.  Delivery timing

Delivery timing is always critical to meet project deadlines. The interests of both supplier and purchaser often collide here so it is important to come to mutually agreeable timeframe. Beyond the technical capabilities of the machine this may be one of the most important aspects of any equipment purchase.

Details of the machine, the number units purchased and other variables set the timeline, as does the orderbook of your vendor. All of these variables can add weeks and months to delivery timing and can clash with business plans if not sorted.

When both parties have a clear understanding of the delivery expectations the better it serves the purchasing experience and ultimately access to the labelling capabilities being sought in the first place. 

4. Reliability and ongoing support 

One of the great things about modern vial labelling machines is their engineered reliability. Most vial labelling machines don’t usually come with service technician attached. There is a certain amount of trust involved, but most equipment buyers considering a purchase should seek a little proof. Ask for reference cases, but also ask about what the vendor might offer in after sales services to support continuous improvement in labelling operations.

5. Purchase price

Although a priority consideration, purchase price is rightly last on the list. The four prior considerations need to be asked, then answered first before comparing the prices of vendors labelling machines.

If the machine being specified doesn’t meet key criteria, and the vendor’s quality and machine performance is not able to meet the needs of the organization now or into the future, then no matter what the purchase price that risk is too expensive.

Parting thoughts

Purchasing capital equipment is a challenging process. It needs to be done with a straightforward planned approach to ensure the investment is not wasted. Aligning manufacturing business interests with experienced vendors who’ve already considered the above are likely to yield the best machine for the investment.

If you are interrested in more information about vial labeling, please download our ebook about vial labeling here