Sourcing Ice Cream Freezers in China??

[Jprandss]

Hi,

I have an expanding ice cream business and I will need multiple freezers (display and storage) in the next 6 months to fit out shops.
I currently have ISA freezers and spent £18k on the last one, which came with a 2 year warranty and recently broke just outside the warranty, I had to spend £1200 on repairing it.

I have realised that I can source almost matching freezers from Alibaba for around £5k, shipping and costs around £2k, giving me a big saving per freezer. I won't have warranty, but it was useless on the big brand name (Italian) one that I already own.

I intend to do a trip and visit around 4 factories and check out the items, paying through Alibaba if happy, and having a third party inspect the freezers before shipping. I should then have a relationship with the factory and can omit visiting again if ordering more.

Has anyone on here done similar with machinery/equipment? Will it be poor quality? Could I have problems with repairing it in the UK?
Does it sound like a sound idea, or frought with issues?

Flights are around £600 and the factories are within an hour of the airport.

Thanks

 

[Jprandss]

Hi,

I have an expanding ice cream business and I will need multiple freezers (display and storage) in the next 6 months to fit out shops.
I currently have ISA freezers and spent £18k on the last one, which came with a 2 year warranty and recently broke just outside the warranty, I had to spend £1200 on repairing it.

I have realised that I can source almost matching freezers from Alibaba for around £5k, shipping and costs around £2k, giving me a big saving per freezer. I won't have warranty, but it was useless on the big brand name (Italian) one that I already own.

I intend to do a trip and visit around 4 factories and check out the items, paying through Alibaba if happy, and having a third party inspect the freezers before shipping. I should then have a relationship with the factory and can omit visiting again if ordering more.

Has anyone on here done similar with machinery/equipment? Will it be poor quality? Could I have problems with repairing it in the UK?
Does it sound like a sound idea, or frought with issues?

Flights are around £600 and the factories are within an hour of the airport.

Thanks

To add, I cannot find anyone selling these Chinese made freezers within the UK currently.

 

[Mark T Jones]

It's a big risk for a core asset - not just reliability, but access to service and repair.

The likes of Fosters may cost a bit, but they do offer good support.

Possibly trial them as back-up rather than diving in?

 

[StevensOnln1]

It might be work speaking to @MOIC who sources manufacturers in China for UK businesses.

 

[WaveJumper]

Personally as mentioned above if a core asset and vital to your business, especially if across multiple sites having servicing back-up or repair on items purchased through a UK source has surely got to make more sense and less stressful

 

[Jprandss]

Yes its a good point made above, however I'm doing this in light of the UK sourced 'top brand' only having 2 year warranty, breaking down and needing me to find third party repair anyway.

So in my mind there is no 'straightforward' option here relating to serviceability and repair.

I think I'll ask for input from our freezer repair tech, he may have useful input eg 'they're all made in China anyway'. I do know that the main parts (compressor) come from Europe either way.

Of course I still have doubts about sourcing and shipping.

 

[Mark T Jones]

So in my mind there is no 'straightforward' option here relating to serviceability and repair.

I'll disagree - the likes of Fosters (other trade brands are available) are specifically set up to be efficient at service & repair.

Customer experience is that they are also pretty reliable - though you can be sure that there are a few who will disagree!

I only name-check fosters because, amongst my customers they are the most prevalent - and bought for the reason above.

 

[MOIC]

For any import, you have to weigh up the pros and cons, primarily cost, as well as reliability. Every business will have their main priority.

Research all your options first, then follow what ticks your boxes.

Going to China to see the products and ask questions face to face is your best option, if you decide to purchase from China, whilst at the same time ensuring it meets with all UKCA requirements, as well as spare parts being included with your purchase.

If you need any advice, feel free to send me a DM.

 

[Socio South West]

If you are needing them for this summer - you say over the next six months - you are too late.

I would estimate that the very earliest you would get equipment arriving in the UK from China would be late summer.... unless you are going to fly them over,which given the volume of a freezer would be extortionately expensive. A container from China is going to take at least six weeks to get to the UK.

Have you considered renting equipment with service included, as this seems to be what has driven you to research the Chinese market? As a starter, search Rental Plus refrigeration and see what you can find.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Have you tried Turkey or East European countries?

 

[Mark T Jones]

Have you tried Turkey

Even Heston Blumenthal couldn't make nice ice cream from that!

but seriously, the OP needs to be looking at service & back up, not cheap product.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

but seriously, the OP needs to be looking at service & back up, not cheap product.

I agree, but people don't realise that a lot of appliances (some VERY big brands) in the UK come from 2 or 3 factories in Turkey. I seem to remember Slovenia and that area was big in refrigeration.

 

[Jprandss]

Have you tried Turkey or East European countries?

I haven't, and that would certainly be easier. Is there an Alibaba equivalent for European countries?

 

[Jprandss]

Even Heston Blumenthal couldn't make nice ice cream from that!

but seriously, the OP needs to be looking at service & back up, not cheap product.

Yes, although on the one hand refrigeration is relatively straightforward with most components replaceable if they fail, from UK parts suppliers.
I do have a local repair company that can come fairly swiftly and fix problems if they crop up.
I have generally avoided Lease and servicing options, preferring to buy equipment up front and take the risk in the past.
I can see the merits and issues with both options, but I generally see the cost saving that I have each year as my 'breakdown fund', going toward trade losses if a freezer was to break in the busy season.

To me its all a question of how much I stand to lose in a breakdown scenario.

A display freezer is hard to have a backup for and commonly we need to remove shop windows to install/remove. Repairing ASAP is really the only option.

I guess my original question relates also to the quality of equipment coming from China, I know its a 'how long is a piece of string' type question, but if the quality is comparable to European made, then my issue on repairing and servicing is the same no matter where the item comes from.

A replacement part for our 'big brand name (ISA)' freezer took over 8 weeks to get to us. Luckily it was an aesthetic part and didn't affect use.