Buyer's Guide to Choosing the Right Industrial Compressor

16 Jun.,2025

 

Buyer's Guide to Choosing the Right Industrial Compressor

Various industries and applications often use compressed air as an energy source. Compressed air is essential in numerous processes and equipment, from manufacturing plants to dental offices and automotive workshops. Despite its extensive use, misconceptions and gaps in knowledge make it harder for people to know how to find the right compressor for their needs. However, you can easily choose the right industrial compressor with this buyer’s guide.

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What Is Compressed Air?

Compressed air involves compressing atmospheric air to increase its pressure for various applications. This process typically requires an air compressor that intakes atmospheric air and pressurizes it for use in different tools or systems. Once compressed, you can store the air in tanks or directly use them to power devices and equipment. The ability to store and transport energy makes compressed air a versatile and valuable resource in many settings.

Why Do People Use Compressed Air?

Compressed air serves diverse purposes, including powering pneumatic tools and machinery, controlling valves and actuators, and providing clean air for breathing purposes. Its versatility and adaptability make it a popular choice in various sectors, such as manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and transportation. Industries often prefer pneumatic systems powered by compressed air due to their reliability, safety, and ease of maintenance.

How Do You Measure Compressed Air?

Measuring the pressure of compressed air means using units such as pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa). Meanwhile, you can gauge the volume of compressed air using cubic feet per minute (cfm) or liters per minute (L/min). These measurements are crucial for selecting the appropriate compressor size and type for different applications to ensure efficient operation and energy use.

Understand Your Company’s Needs

Buyers must have a clear understanding of what their company needs before purchasing an air compressor. Start by identifying the scope of your purchasing responsibilities, which may include everything from office supplies to high-value technology. Determine specific requirements for each purchase, such as quantity, quality standards, and delivery timelines.

Knowledge of your company’s objectives, such as enhancing productivity or reducing costs, along with budget constraints and strategic goals, will help you make the right purchasing decision. Select suppliers that align with the company’s immediate needs and long-term goals. This understanding is the foundation of your role, ensuring that every purchase supports broader company objectives.

Research Potential Suppliers

Conduct thorough research into potential suppliers to ensure they are reliable, reputable, and capable of meeting your company’s requirements. Begin by assessing their history, including their past performance in terms of delivery accuracy and adherence to quality standards. Review their quality control processes to understand how they maintain product standards.

Also, analyze their pricing strategies to ensure competitive rates and evaluate their delivery capabilities to meet your timelines. Considering their financial stability, ethical practices, and customer reviews will also help you build a comprehensive profile so you can know what you’re buying.

Build Relationships With Suppliers

Developing strong relationships with suppliers is crucial to successful purchasing. By building trust and open communication channels, you can negotiate better deals, receive priority service, and create long-term partnerships that benefit both parties. Hosting quarterly or monthly meetings and consistent communication through emails or video calls can foster a collaborative environment. Strong relationships can also result in mutual growth, as your success can lead to increased business for your suppliers.

Keep Track of Market Trends

Stay updated on market trends, including changes in supplier prices or the availability of certain products or services. This information can help you make informed purchasing decisions and anticipate potential supply chain disruptions, such as shortages or increased lead times. Understanding these trends can also provide a competitive advantage, allowing your company to adapt quickly to market conditions. Regularly reviewing industry reports, attending trade shows, and networking with peers can also help you stay on top of the market and keep your company ahead of the curve.

Negotiate Effectively

Effective negotiation skills are essential for buyers to ensure cost-effective purchasing. Be confident in communicating your company’s needs and expectations while being open to compromise. Approach negotiations with a clear understanding of your objectives and the supplier’s perspective. Aim for a win-win situation where both parties feel satisfied with the agreement.

Monitor Supplier Performance

Monitoring supplier performance is crucial to ensure they meet the agreed-upon terms and quality standards. Keep track of delivery times, checking for promptness and reliability, as well as product quality, to ensure everything meets your expectations. Also, evaluate customer service levels to promptly identify any issues.

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Regular performance reviews, such as quarterly evaluations and feedback sessions, can also help you maintain high standards and foster continuous improvement in your business. Thankfully, when you address concerns early, you can work with suppliers and find the air compressor that helps you prevent future disruptions.

Review Contracts Carefully

Review the supplier’s contract before signing to ensure all terms are fair and favorable for your company. Pay attention to key components such as:

  • Delivery schedules
  • Payment terms
  • Confidentiality clauses
  • Legal obligations

Make sure the terms regarding penalties for non-compliance or late deliveries are clear. Seeking legal advice will help you avoid potential risks or loopholes that could negatively impact your company. A thorough review safeguards your company’s interests and establishes a strong relationship with your suppliers.

Communicate Clearly

Effective communication is a cornerstone of the purchasing process. Make sure you clearly communicate your company’s needs, expectations, and any changes in requirements or deadlines to suppliers to avoid misunderstandings. This communication involves sending emails and making calls while building strong relationships with suppliers through regular updates and feedback sessions. Developing strong communication skills can also boost collaboration, foster trust, and lead to more successful outcomes for your business.

Continuously Improve

Always strive for continuous improvement in your processes and decision-making. Seek feedback from suppliers and colleagues to identify areas of improvement and implement necessary changes to enhance your performance. Embracing new technologies, methodologies, and best practices will also help you stay ahead in the purchasing field. This continuous improvement might involve:

  • Adopting innovative procurement software
  • Attending professional development courses
  • Participating in industry forums

Learning more about air compressors and the market can help you navigate the purchase process with confidence.

Glaston's guide for buying used air compressors

If your manufacturing business has budgetary constraints for addressing compressed air requirements, you might want to consider purchasing a used air compressor as opposed to buying a new one. In this article, PIF spoke with leading North West compressor suppliers, Glaston Compressor Services, for expert advice about what precautions and checks UK manufacturers should take before opting for a used compressed air system.

What you need to know about buying a used air compressor

“Buying used air compressors can be quite daunting, spending large amounts of money on something that you are not sure about can be a huge financial risk”, explains Michael Douglas from Glaston Compressor Services. “The price may be considerably cheaper than the current brand new model, but it might end up costing more with repairs, fitting parts and other maintenance issues. Before you decide to spend money on a new compressor which might have a lower spec, you might want to rethink your approach. A used air compressor can potentially save your business thousands and work just as efficiently as a new compressor, providing it ticks all the right boxes”.

With this in mind, Glaston has shared an exclusive checklist for manufacturing businesses looking to buy used air compressors. Follow these steps to help make an informed decision:

Glaston’s checklist for buying used compressors

  • Check all parts of the used compressor are clean and operational
  • Check the used compressor for any missing parts
  • Check the used compressor for any build-up of sludge
  • Check whether the used compressor sounds ok or overheats whilst running
  • Check what energy the used compressor is pulling. This can be achieved by using a power meter. If it is high this might indicate an underlying issue
  • Check whether the used compressor is damaged. In some cases it still might be worth purchasing, providing damages are minor and won’t cost too much to repair
  • Check whether the used compressor is still in warranty. If so, this will make any future repairs, maintenance or servicing much easier.

New compressors v used compressors

If your factory needs a compressed air system, you will likely have a budget already defined for its installation. This will play a big part in your decision-making process. Used air compressors will both save your business money and make your budget stretch further. However, a new air compressor will come with a warranty and added peace of mind from knowing your system is brand new. Whether you decide to buy a new compressor or a used compressor, the decision is ultimately one you will need to make yourself.

“Should you decide to opt for a used air compressor, it’s a good idea to mitigate the risks and purchase an approved used compressed air system from a reputable reseller”, adds Michael. “By investing in a used air compressor from a trusted supplier such as Glaston, you will be able to reap the financial benefits whilst benefiting from additional assurance knowing your chosen system will be installed and maintained by an experienced team of compressor engineers”.

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Used air compressors from Glaston