The 4 Hidden Costs in Your Workshop (And How to Fix Them)

This UK Savings Week, Part-On has been offering advise of how you can cut costs. The smartest way to save isn't just about buying cheap - it's about making strategic investments that pay you back in a big way!

At Part-On, we believe true savings come from a strongReturn on Investment (ROI). It's about looking beyond the initial price tag to see how a tool and/or fastener can actually make your processes more profitable.

Over the past week, we’ve explored the four key areas where you can find hidden savings in your fastening operations. Here’s a quick guide to how a small change can lead to a huge return.

The ROI of Time: Go Cordless

Time is money, and nowhere is that more true than on the production floor. Every second an operator spends straining with a manual tool is a second of lost productivity.

The Fix:Invest in cordless rivet tools. Take the Gesipa Powerbird or AccuBird, for example. By eliminating air hoses and offering rapid, single-motion operation, these tools can cut your riveting time by up to 50%. That saved time directly translates into a higher output per hour - a clear and immediate ROI.

...Not to forget, cordless tools are more economical to service than pneumatic tools, with fewer internal components like seals and pistons. This ensures your ROI continues to grow from a maintenance perspective as well

The ROI of Energy: Cut Your Consumption

The cost of compressed air is a silent but significant expense. Studies show pneumatic tools can use 7 to 13 times more energy than their electric-powered counterparts.

The Fix:Choose air tools designed for efficiency. The Taurus series reuses compressed air to eject mandrels, ensuring no energy is wasted. Similarly, the FAR RAC182 features a suction adjustment that lets you use only the necessary amount of air. These small innovations reduce the workload on your compressor, leading to lower energy consumption and a direct ROI on your utility bill.

The ROI of Materials: Eliminate Waste

The most expensive scrap is the material you have to throw away. When a fastener fails or an assembly needs re-work, you’re not just losing the fastener; you’re losing the component, the labour, and the time.

Case Study:We recently worked with a customer in trailer manufacturing who was experiencing frequent joint failures and high re-work rates. Their existing fasteners just weren't robust enough for the dynamic stresses of road transport. We recommended switching to Huck Magna-Lok structural fasteners. The result? Joint integrity drastically improved, re-work virtually disappeared, and their material waste plummeted.

"After Part-On recommended Magna-Lok's, we saw immediate results. Simply put, the joint is stronger and we no longer have application issues."

The Fix:Use the right fastener for the job. Our customer's experience demonstrates how a small change to a stronger, more reliable solution can save on material waste and labour, resulting in a huge ROI from a single component change.

The ROI of Labour: Invest in Your People

Last year, UK businesses lost 33.7 million working days to workplace injury and illness. The hidden costs of labour - from sick pay to lost productivity - are a massive hit to your bottom line.

The Fix:Prioritise ergonomics.

The FAR RAC231 is an inline air tool that can be fitted to a tool arm or balancer, taking the weight and strain off your team. By reducing fatigue and the risk of injury, you’re not only protecting your people but also ensuring consistent output. The return on investment here is priceless: a healthier, happier team that is more productive and less likely to take days off due to injury.

Your Total ROI

Each of these strategic investments may seem small on its own, but together, they create a powerful cycle of savings. By choosing tools and fasteners that save you time, energy, materials, and labour, you're doing more than just cutting costs - you're building a more profitable and resilient business.

This UK Savings Week, stop thinking in terms of cost and start thinking in terms of ROI. We're here to help you find the right solutions for your specific needs.

Why Part-On Stands Out?

At Part-On, our commitment goes beyond the sale. We don't just supply tools and fasteners; we partner with our customers. With over 80 years of combined experience, our team of sales/ technical professionals, and factory-trained engineers provide end-to-end support, from expert advice to in-house tool servicing and repairs.

We care about your business, and we are here to help you succeed for the long term.