Southwest Equipment Parts (SEP)was founded in 2016 as an additional avenue for customers to source
replacement parts for their excavators, dozers, and other heavy machinery. Though calling them replacement parts isn’t exactly accurate, since what SEP does best is take
customer’s existing non-functional final drives, swing drives, hydraulic pumps, and other parts, and repair them rather than purchasing something new. This option provides a lower cost option for customers, but how exactly does it work?
What is Repair and Return?
Return and repair is an option for some heavy machinery parts where a customer can ship their final drive, swing drive, hydraulic pumps and other components to SEP’s facility in California and have SEP rebuild the
part rather than purchasing a new component.
SEP as a company is not only devoted to helping customers by repairing existing parts, but by innovating existing components to be more efficient and providing resources for customers. In an interview with ConEquip’s Jeff Mitri , SEP founder
and president Todd Resser explained that when Volvo introduced a new EC300 model, SEP saw an opportunity to stay ahead of the competition and re-engineer the parts to be more efficient.
“We feel we improved on the design and didn’t just copy it. We re-engineered it. It’s our own design,” Resser states proudly.
This commitment to continuous improvement is a driving force for SEP as they continue to provide service to customers. By purchasing samples and leveraging advanced engineering techniques, they are demonstrating their capability to innovation
on a continuous basis.
for free parts quote!
What’s the Process For Repair and Return?
After a representative gathers the customer’s basic information, such as name, location, and part specifics, the process begins with a quick quote from SEP. This quote is more a general idea of cost than a complete overview
of all the work that needs to be completed; that will come after SEP receives the part at their facility and they can evaluate it more thoroughly. In general, these first quotes will include the cost for replacement bearings and seals, and the labor to replace these components. Shipping cost is not included in this initial estimate.
After the part arrives at the facility, it is put through a more thorough assessment by one of the SEP technicians to better understand the defect in the part. From there the technician puts together a series of quotes at varying levels of service,
ranging from a full refurbish and return to a scrap of the part. The customer can then select which option they’d like to go with, and the SEP repairs or ships back their part. The full-service options include replacement of bearings and seals,
replacement of additional parts and the labor to disassemble and reassemble the component. Once the work is complete, the part is returned to the customer.
What are the Benefits of Repair over a new part?
The obvious benefit is price. It’s much less expensive to repair an existing part than to purchase a new one. Depending on which quote a customer selects, the cost saving can be anywhere between 20%-60% savings depending on market rates.
And because each service is evaluated on an individual basis, it offers a cost-effective solution without sacrificing quality, which is at the core of SEP’s mission.
In addition, repairing an existing part has a significant positive impact on the environment. By keeping components out of landfills, the service lowers overall carbon emissions and supports environmental initiatives.
SEP is devoted to helping their customers get back to work. In addition to the repaired parts, SEP does carry new parts in the chance that your final drive can’t be repaired as part of their program. Whatever the situation there are options to get you back to work.
