Equipment inspections, and the team members who conduct them, are often unsung heroes in the used heavy equipment ecosystem. But without reliable, thorough and consistent inspection reports, buyers wouldn’t be able to purchase equipment with nearly as much confidence; sellers, too, would not be able to get premium prices for their assets without some kind of program that ensures buyers are comfortable purchasing sight unseen.
Chris Lambing, Director of IronPlanet’s inspection services team, knows well the challenges and joys of running what is one of the best equipment inspection programs out there. With his background in sales and operations, he’s always considering business impact for IronPlanet’s customers and is able to think about inspections from both the buyer and the seller side.
“Some of these machines are very high-dollar value. And one misrepresentation is a lot of headache, a lot of cost for the buyer,” he says. “If we don't get the pictures right, if we don't represent it the right way, if we don't give them all the information to know what they're bidding on and the condition of the machine, it's going to really impact business for both buyers and sellers.”
Building a great team
IronPlanet’s inspection program, including the company’s patented IronClad Assurance®, is built from the ground up to ensure that every inspection meets a high bar of accuracy and comprehensiveness. All 200+ inspectors around the world were onboarded through IronPlanet University, an online training and continuing education tool with safety training, basic assessments of knowledge and specialized modules to refresh inspectors’ understanding of equipment types and specifications.
“IronPlanet University helps us make sure that we’re sending informed inspectors out into the field so that our inspections are top-notch,” Lambing (right) says. “We have highly trained inspectors that are industry experts, and at this point, they have been doing this for years and years.”
Inspection Process
IronPlanet’s inspectors use checklists, standardized around the world and varying by equipment type. Inspectors use iPads to select which checklist is appropriate for each inspection, and then fill in the list with as much detail as possible: General appearance, engine, control stations, drive train, hydraulics, chassis, any special equipment type information. Truck checklists also include sections where inspectors can detail configurations, which are a big factor for truck buyers.
Each inspection report involves taking dozens of photos, and now, IronPlanet’s inspection reports will include video. “Our full inspections also now all include video of the engine as well as blow-by, so we can limit any subjectivity and allow buyers to not only see, but hear exactly what the inspector is seeing and hearing on any of these components,” Lambing explains. It’s all part of the team’s efforts to be as transparent and trustworthy as possible on reports.
Challenges onsite
Of course, onboarding is only the beginning. Once inspectors head into the field, conducting inspections at sellers’ sites all around the world, they are met with all kinds of conditions.
“In the extreme heat of the summertime, there are guys out there working in 100+ degree temperatures doing inspections all day long. We've purchased them gear that will keep them cool and allow them to continue working through it. The winter time is also extremely difficult. At below-zero temperatures, you run into a lot of complications, and we take extra precaution. Inspectors pull each item into the shop, let it warm up, start it, and then go back outside in the snow to inspect it. Then they pull the next one in.”
Due to the company’s high bar and guarantee on reports, Lambing says, “We don’t have the luxury of just saying, the machine is what it is. We do the full inspection, regardless of the elements.”
Because IronPlanet’s model means sellers can put their equipment up for auction right from their own yard, inspectors need to coordinate with sellers to get access to the equipment. “Sellers are often carrying on with their business, so our inspectors work around their schedules and do everything they can to help them get the machines out and ready,” says Lambing. “Our guys do a good job of balancing all of those hurdles, doing full IronClad inspection reports and keeping everyone happy.”
“They do it day in and day out,” Lambing continues. “They're oftentimes on the road for a long period of time with no complaints. They love what they do, and most of our inspectors have been here for a long time. They don't want to go anywhere else, they don't want to do anything else. They take pride in IronPlanet, in the model, and in the inspection reports. And they're here for the long haul. We're very confident in them and very thankful for what they do.”
Read more:
TruckPlanet: "We are squarely in the truck business"
7 Tips to Prepare Your Fleet For Summer
IronPlanet in the Heart of the African Equatorial Forest
