One of the first questions businesses looking to upgrade their material handling typically ask when they contact our company is: What’s the cost of purpose-built roller tables? Although this is difficult to answer, in this blog we’ll try to do our best here to explain some general pricing guidelines.
4 Top Considerations that Impact the Cost of Roller Tables
There are four key things that you may be considering when researching the price of custom roller tables:
- The initial purchase value of the roller table/s
- Delivery time and delivery costs
- Installation of the roller tables
- The lifetime cost of ownership associated with the roller tables
1. What’s the initial investment?
With so many options available, price ranges can vary drastically. There are the obvious things, such as the physical dimensions, weight-per-meter capacity, as well as motorization (powered rollers). However, some of the not-so-obvious things (that aren’t always considered) can significantly increase the price of roller tables. This could include using the optimal diameter of rollers, the thickness of the steel used to make the rollers and the raised bearing holders.
Below is a broad guide to pricing:
- Basic table rated with 1000kg p/m price range: $800 to $1,500 per metre
- Motorised table rated with 1000kg p/m price range: $1,400 to $2,500 per metre
- Options like increasing the rated capacity to 2000kg p/m could add up to 40% of the cost
2. How long will it take to make and deliver the roller tables?
Building custom roller tables is not a short process. It will take longer for more complex requirements (such as motorization) and the size and number of the tables. It also depends on production capacity and the availability of steel and individual components.
Below is a guideline of what the project timeline could look like:
- Discovery of the project, Excision will establish the customer requirements – 2 to 3 days
- Present a design and quote – 3 to 5 days
- Once the order and deposit are received, manufacturing will begin within 1 to 2 weeks
- Manufacturing time can range from 1 to 4 weeks
- Delivery 3 to 7 days from dispatch
- Installation 2 to 4 days
- Total delivery time can range between 3 weeks and 8 weeks
The delivery of your roller tables will vary based on two factors. Location and size/weight. Generally, the further you are from the production facility (such as Excision in Hamilton, Victoria), the more you're going to pay. Likewise, the more tables you need, or the heavier they are, the more costly it's going to be to deliver them. You can expect delivery to be between 3% to 8% of the total project cost.
3. What are the costs of installing roller tables?
Some people prefer to do the installation themselves, which is a good option for those who only need basic tables. However, when dealing with the installation of large or complex material handling, having the manufacturer install them is generally a good idea, especially if it involves electrical work.
When it comes to the actual installation of the roller tables, you have 3 options:
- Self-installation: No cost
- Basic installation (ideal for basic tables, no motorisation): $500 to $1,500
- Turn-key installation (ideal for motorised roller tables): $2,500 to $5,000
4. What does the cost of ownership look like?
Material handling solutions are an expensive initial investment. This means that they should last you a long time. While the cost of ownership over an extended period is difficult to calculate, there are some factors you should consider when working this out:
- Quality of steel
- Is it Australian-made?
- Thickness of the steel used to make the rollers
- Quality of welds
- Ease of maintenance, (e.g. replacement of gears of motorised rollers)
It is in the cost of ownership that the quality and long-term value of the tables will become evident. If the table is made from cheap steel or doesn’t meet your needs (such as load ratings) then it won’t give you the best bang for your buck. It will result in increased maintenance costs, a decreased life of the table, and the potential need for modifications in the future.
However, when material handling solutions are done right, they can ultimately end up saving you money. This is because it saves you time. In our experience, customers have reported up to 60% time savings, which resulted in increased production capacity and ultimately the ability to produce greater profits.
Where does Excision Stand Regarding pricing?
There are many options in the market for cheap roller tables. These low-quality, low-price options might seem attractive in the short term, but they often lack the durability that will guarantee a long life. As a result, businesses that down this route often end up spending more on material handling solutions in the long run.
On the other hand, there are more expensive, high-quality material handling solutions, which Excision produces. These options require a larger upfront investment, but you’re going to get both superior quality and highly customized tables that will end up saving you money over an extended period.
In Conclusion
If you're in the market for material handling solutions, custom-made roller tables might be the answer to your needs. While the outlay can be significant, the long-term benefits of increased production capacity and savings in time and maintenance costs are worth considering.
So, do you think custom-made roller tables might be the right choice for your business? You can contact us by clicking the button below to fill out a form and get the process started.
