What is Turn-Key Installation, 1997 Polymers, Laminations & Coatings Conference Proceedings

When a film or flexible packaging producer decides to add capacity, a significant amount of thought goes into the actual equipment selection. Hours are spent discussing the products to be produced, the resins and substrates that the new line must handle, and perhaps site selections. Then, the awesome task of selecting an actual equipment vendor takes place. Again, weeks and months are spent further defining the equipment specifications. Charts are developed to weight the various equipment offerings and options. Invariably, toward the end of this critical process, some time is spent discussing how the equipment will be installed. Invariably, again, the word “Turn-Key” is used by a variety of people. Experience has shown us that everyone’s definition of “Turn-Key” is different.

For example, if one were to ask the general public what their definition of “Turn-Key” is, they might respond by saying all encompassing or to do everything. More specifically, converters might define “Turn-Key” as to do all the building modifications, install and start-up the entire machine, install and start-up all auxiliary equipment and make a salable product. The original equipment manufacturer, or better known as OEM, definition might be simply to install the machine as supplied by the OEM and have no start-up included. Or, another definition of “Turn-Key”, from the OEM standpoint, is to install the equipment and then start-up the equipment supplied the OEM to a defined acceptable condition. This latter definition is our company’s definition of “Turn-Key”.