As the year winds down, many forging plants face the same critical question: will our equipment be ready to meet next year’s demand?
When a forging machine goes down, everything stops. Missed heat cycles, production delays, and costly downtime adds up quickly. The smallest component failure — a worn clutch plate, a cracked shaft, or a damaged gear — can take an entire line offline.
That’s why year-end purchasing isn’t just about budget spend or discounted pricing. It’s about ensuring that the critical components inside your forging machines are ready for another year of heavy production. By stocking up on replacement parts now, you safeguard your operation from risk and keep your equipment running reliably.
1. Prevent Downtime with Critical Machine Components
Every plant manager knows the true cost of downtime. A clutch plate that slips or a ram guide that wears unevenly doesn’t just affect one job — it can bring your entire production schedule to a halt. And emergency replacements are rarely available overnight.
By securing components now, you give your maintenance teams the confidence that they’ll have what they need on hand when wear and tear inevitably shows. Having parts like clutch plates, gears, and drive shafts in stock means your crew can perform planned maintenance without the panic of waiting on long lead times.
Our Parts Stocking Program is designed for this exact scenario — ensuring the components you rely on most are always available when you need them.
2. Shield Your Plant from Supply Chain Disruptions
Components for forging machines aren’t always sitting on a shelf ready to ship. Many require lead times for machining, heat treating, or custom fitting. And when demand spikes, those timelines stretch even further.
By purchasing year-end components now, you insulate your plant against:
- Extended lead times that can leave a press idle for weeks.
- Material availability issues that slow production of replacement parts.
- Unexpected cost increases that blow up next year’s budget.
In an industry where production schedules are tight and delivery commitments are critical, keeping components in stock is one of the most effective ways to reduce operational risk.
3. Maintain Machine Reliability and Performance
Forging machines are designed to operate under extreme pressure and heat — but even the strongest equipment is only as reliable as the components inside it. Worn bushings, fatigued tie rods, or weakened clutch systems create ripple effects that compromise performance.
By investing in OEM-quality components at year-end, you protect not only your machines but also the quality of the parts they produce. Reliable components mean consistent tolerances, longer equipment life, and fewer unplanned interruptions in 2026.
4. Build Confidence Across the Plant
Reliability doesn’t just matter to leadership — it matters on the shop floor. When operators know the clutch plate has been replaced before it fails, or that new bushings are available when wear becomes visible, confidence goes up and stress goes down.
Preparedness empowers your workforce. Instead of firefighting when something breaks, your team can focus on running production efficiently and safely. And when your workforce trusts that equipment is well-maintained and downtime risks are managed, overall morale and productivity rise.
5. Protect Your Budget While Strengthening Your Position
Year-end purchasing is also a strategic financial decision. Many companies face the “use it or lose it” challenge as fiscal years close. Allocating remaining funds toward essential machine components ensures every dollar contributes to next year’s productivity rather than disappearing from the budget.
It’s also a way to lock in today’s pricing. With steel costs and manufacturing expenses continuing to fluctuate, investing now protects you against increases that could impact your bottom line in 2026.
Last month we shared specific details on Year-End Deals You Can’t Miss. This article takes a step further: reminding you that deals are only part of the equation — the bigger picture is how those purchases protect your plant from unnecessary risk.
6. Gain a Strategic Advantage for 2026
Smart maintenance planning is about more than replacing what’s broken. It’s about positioning your company to take on next year’s challenges with confidence.
By securing components now, you give your operation the ability to:
- Take on larger orders without fear of machine downtime.
- Schedule maintenance proactively rather than reactively.
- Scale production with the assurance that critical parts are available.
Companies that think ahead don’t just avoid risk — they capture opportunities. Entering 2026 with a reliable supply of critical components means you’ll start the year strong and stay ahead of the competition.
ACE’s Commitment to Reliability
For over a century, Ajax/CECO/Erie Press has partnered with forging operations to keep machines running at peak performance. We understand the high cost of downtime, the demands placed on forging equipment, and the importance of risk mitigation in today’s competitive landscape.
Our goal is simple: to provide the machine components you need, when you need them — so you can keep forging with confidence.
Secure Your Operation with our Stocking Program
Year-end inventory won’t last forever. Once quantities are gone, they’re gone — and so is the opportunity to safeguard your forging machines for 2026.
👉 [Contact Us Today] to review available components, request pricing, or enroll in our Parts Stocking Program.
ACE’s commitment to reliability means your equipment will be protected, your operations uninterrupted, and your business ready to keep forging ahead.