When purchasing a lift table, customers have three options: They can buy the lift table through a dealer, purchase it directly from the manufacturer or hire an engineering firm for the planning and procurement of the scissor lift table. But does an engineering firm truly offer the optimal balance between coordination effort and independence?
In our article Lift tables from dealers or manufacturers: What is the right choice?, we have already extensively discussed the two sourcing options — dealer vs. lift table manufacturer. Purchasing through a dealer is often worthwhile for standard lift tables. For lift table variations, custom designs or special installation situations, it is recommended to buy directly from the lift table manufacturer.
However, if you value independence from various suppliers but still want to coordinate with only one party, procuring through an engineering firm may be a good option.
In this article, we will explore the individual advantages and disadvantages of engineering firms compared to direct purchasing and buying through dealers in more detail.
Advantages of an engineering firm
An engineering firm generally brings a high level of technical expertise. This minimizes the risk that the recommendation for a scissor lift table or goods lift is based solely on the lowest price. By thoroughly assessing the individual requirements of their client and evaluating the various offers from manufacturers, the firm can ensure that the most suitable lift table is selected.
A qualified engineering firm also takes into account all relevant regulations that must be observed during the design and installation of lift tables. This helps avoid unpleasant surprises when it comes to lift table approval.
Are there disadvantages to procuring through an engineering firm?
One potential disadvantage of procuring through an engineering firm is the higher consulting fees and longer response times. However, these should be considered in the context of the services offered:
A dealer can usually provide you with a quote for a lift platform relatively quickly, as they often rely on an existing range of standard lift tables. An engineering firm, on the other hand, will gather offers from various lift table manufacturers and evaluate them based on technical and economic criteria. You will then be recommended the offer with the best price-performance ratio.
This additional effort — or rather, added value — is reflected in the engineering firm's fees. Therefore, compared to purchasing through a dealer, you should typically expect higher procurement costs. However, these higher consulting fees can quickly pay off, especially if the engineering firm has sufficient experience with material handling equipment.
The engineering firm compared to the lift table manufacturer
We often recommend purchasing a custom lift table or platform directly from the lift table manufacturer. Additional intermediaries can often increase costs and lead to coordination issues.
However, when you consider not just the quoted price but also internal costs, procuring through an engineering firm can be quite attractive. A qualified and experienced engineering firm will handle the search for an affordable and high-quality scissor lift platform or hydraulic lift. The firm will manage all procurement tasks, allowing you to use your valuable time for other important activities.
We recommend, however, that you clearly define your specific requirements for the lift table and document the installation situation with descriptions, photos, drawings or sketches. You can, of course, seek support from an engineering firm or an experienced lift table manufacturer for this.
Conclusion
Whether you procure a lift table through a dealer, directly from the manufacturer or via an engineering firm depends on your individual requirements and priorities.
The dealer is a good option if you want to choose from an existing range of standard tables.
Direct purchase from the manufacturer often provides the benefit of shorter communication channels and lower costs, and it is especially useful for custom designs or complex installation situations.
However, if you lack the resources to conduct the search yourself, an engineering firm may be the best option. It not only brings technical expertise but also offers independence in choosing the manufacturer.
Ultimately, each approach — dealer, manufacturer or engineering firm — has its own advantages and disadvantages. What matters most is that your specific requirements for the lift table or column lift are at the forefront, and the option you choose best meets those needs.
Tips for choosing the right lift table when buying directly
Employees who are not familiar with the specific laws and regulations for lift tables often tend to choose the seemingly cheapest manufacturer. However, this manufacturer may not have included all the necessary safety features in their offer, which can lead to problems later on.
To select a suitable and high-quality lift table or column lift, it is crucial to properly evaluate the offers. Therefore, we would like to provide you with some tips to help you make the right choice.
1. Sorting Offers by Price
In times of increasing competition, costs play a central role, as they directly impact profitability, liquidity and return on investment. As a private individual, it is understandable that you would want to purchase a lift table at the best possible price.
Therefore, offers should initially be sorted by price. However, it is crucial not to stop the evaluation at this point. It is essential to look for technical differences between the offers — provided that the remaining conditions, such as delivery time, are acceptable.
2. Identifying Technical Differences
When there are significant price differences, it is likely that the various lift table manufacturers have not offered comparable lift platforms. In an ideal market, a higher-priced supplier would no longer exist if the products were identical.
However, the offer often does not provide sufficient details about the key technical differences between the products. Each manufacturer promotes their product as the best, but the actual advantages are not always documented, to prevent competitors from gaining insights.
Our tip: Reach out directly to the higher-priced (and preferably well-established) supplier. The sales team of a reputable manufacturer can often explain in detail why the higher price is justified. The most common reasons for large price differences are missing safety features or reducing the lift table to its minimum equipment. To avoid future issues with an unsafe or incorrectly specified lift platform, it is always worthwhile to ask targeted questions.
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