For upwards of 30 years, Piselli Enterprises has helped its clients find and rebuild used gear manufacturing equipment. Adding to that continued success, the company has opened a facility in Mexico in order to further keep its finger on the industry’s pulse.
A big part of that success means that the machines in Piselli’s inventory are in great operating shape with the responsibility, confidence, and clarity that goes along with that.
“We’re able to rebuild or refurbish the older Gleason straight bevel and spiral bevel machines,” said Rich Piselli, president and founder of Piselli Enterprises. “We do an exceptional job of assessing customers’ machines they have brought into our facility, and we give them an estimate of the cost for repairs, rebuild, and lead times for the parts and components. This gives them an opportunity to get a true evaluation at a reasonable price, and lets them decide whether it makes sense to go to the next level.”
As machines age, parts and components become more difficult to find, according to Piselli. When this happens, OEMs will distance themselves from these older machine models and try to sell something new. That’s one of many reasons Piselli stands behind the quality of his inventory.
“We go through all the machines in our inventory to make sure that when a machine is delivered, it’s a good operational machine,” he said. “When my customers get a machine, they know it’s going to be taken care of, and it’s going to be a good running machine.”
It takes time to properly rebuild a machine, but that attention to detail and functionality is what helps make Piselli’s machines the ideal addition to a machine shop.
“We’re not the cheapest guys in town,” he said. “But having something you can count on back at your shop working for you when you get it is a good thing. Another nice benefit is you don’t have to retrain your operators, because they already know the machine.”
Reliable sources
On top of reliably rebuilt machines, customer service goes a long way to ensure clients get the best treatment available, according to Piselli.
“When my customers get their machine, they’re going to be happy with what they receive,” he said. “We’re able to help them with parts, components, and things like that. We can source different types of equipment — and not just gear equipment — for customers needing particular machines for their operations.”
Reliability is paramount. And in a world of constantly evolving technology, reliable sources become even more important, according to Piselli.
“Too much stuff is easily accessible with a simple web search,” he said. “But in an internet search, all you’re getting is an ad that somebody paid more for than the next guy on the list. Those are the ones that are shown first, and they are not necessarily the most reliable sources. You get what you get.”
Direct access
To that end, Piselli said he is always working closely with all his customers to make sure any requests they may have are handled quickly and efficiently.
“It’s me and my phone number,” he said. “You’re dealing with the guy that makes the decisions. You’re not going through a huge quoting process. You can make a decision quickly based on the response you get from us.”
Future tech
One of the challenges Piselli constantly faces is dealing with advancements in technology.
“Things are going to change; eventually machines are not going to be supported by the OEMs when a customer has that equipment in their shop, and, sooner or later, the request for help is going to come to us,” he said. “We’re not selling new, so we don’t have to have the state-of-the-art cutting edge. We just have to be able to find sources that can help with machines that are a little older and a little less serviceable.”
Having the ability to work on older reliable machines still remains an advantage to the industry, according to Piselli.
“They may not be state-of-the-art or quick, but they get the job done,” he said. “When a company doesn’t want to invest half a million dollars on a new machine, they come to us for an alternative solution that’s a fraction of the cost. That’s what we’re able to provide.”
Legacy
Even in the face of a changing industry, Piselli pointed out his company continues to do a tremendous job rebuilding equipment while providing good quality machines from a huge inventory of service parts.
“We sell a lot of duplication and have over 100,000 square feet of used gear machines,” he said. “If you need a part, chances are there aren’t many sources you can get it from other than here.”
‘Our business model works’
Piselli does not mince words about reasons for his company’s success, but he emphasized there’s always incentive to make the rebuild process more efficient.
“Usually you can’t fix things faster, but you can at least reach more people,” he said. “We sell a lot of duplication, and I say that because we have a lot of inventory. We have a lot of parts, components, and machines. We don’t leave our customers out in the cold. That’s not what we do, and it’s not how we’ve grown over the years.”
In addition to that goal to be more efficient, business relationships made over the years are a valued component of Piselli’s success.
“I think that’s what it’s all about,” he said. “Everybody can make a buck here and there, but when you’re helping people grow, then you get many, many success stories that you can be proud of. I do this to keep busy and keep close relations with the customers I have, because I consider them friends in this industry, and it keeps me going, and it keeps me energized. Our business model works. It’s good.”
