When a part fails, the first question is usually "where can we get it fastest?" The better question is "which route is right for this part?" For food and beverage plants running Krones, Tetra Pak, GEA or Sidel equipment, there are three main options — and each has its place.
The three routes at a glance
Genuine OEM — made or supplied by the machine manufacturer.
Certified alternative — made by an independent manufacturer to the original specification and verified before delivery.
Remanufactured — your original part (or an exchange unit) rebuilt and tested to specification.
Comparing cost, lead time and risk
- Price: OEM is usually highest; certified alternatives often cost noticeably less; remanufactured parts can be the cheapest for complex assemblies.
- Lead time: OEM can take weeks for non-stock items; alternatives and remanufacturing are often faster.
- Documentation: OEM is the simplest for validated processes; alternatives need material and inspection records.
- Availability: for discontinued machines, alternatives and remanufacturing may be the only options.
The cheapest part is not the one with the lowest price. It is the one that keeps the line running longest per euro spent — including downtime.
When OEM is the right choice
- Parts in direct, validated contact with product in aseptic processes.
- Safety-critical components where the certification depends on the OEM.
- Machines still under warranty.
- Electronic modules with OEM-specific firmware.
When a certified alternative makes sense
- Wear parts with a clear specification — seals, gaskets, bearings, rollers, belts.
- Long OEM lead times that would stop production.
- High-volume consumables where cost matters.
Examples: Kelvion EPDM gaskets, Krones vacuum seals and Sidel gripper pads.
When remanufacturing is the smart option
- Discontinued assemblies with no new supply.
- Expensive components such as GEA control top modules or valve bodies.
- Rotating spares pools — you always have one rebuilt unit on the shelf.
What documentation to ask for
Whichever route you choose, ask for:
- Part identification and cross-reference to the OEM number.
- Material certificates for product-contact parts.
- Food-contact compliance statements where relevant.
- Dimensional or functional inspection records.
- Traceability — batch or serial number.
Your quality team will need this during audits.
A simple decision checklist
- Is the machine under warranty? → OEM.
- Is the part in validated product contact? → OEM or fully documented alternative.
- Is OEM lead time longer than you can accept? → Consider an alternative.
- Is the part discontinued? → Alternative or remanufactured.
- Is it a high-volume consumable? → Certified alternative is often best value.
How Ampionic quotes
Our spare parts sourcing service checks all three routes in parallel and states the verification level on every quote. For large orders or planned overhauls, financial solutions can spread the cost.
For brand-specific examples, see our guides on Tetra Pak sealing jaws and Kelvion gasket replacement.
Key terms explained
OEM (original equipment manufacturer): the company that built the machine, or the parts it supplies under its own brand.
Certified alternative: a part made by an independent manufacturer to the original specification, with documented verification.
Remanufactured part: a used part rebuilt, renewed and tested to the original specification.
Cross-reference: matching an OEM part number to an equivalent part from another source.
Total cost of ownership, not purchase price
Compare routes using the total cost over the part's life:
- Purchase price — the obvious number.
- Lead time cost — downtime or expedited shipping while you wait.
- Service life — how long the part lasts on your line.
- Documentation cost — time your quality team spends approving it.
- Stock cost — cash tied up in parts on the shelf.
A slightly more expensive part that arrives in two days instead of six weeks often wins when the line is down.
Building approved-alternatives lists
Many plants create an approved list for common wear parts. Once an alternative has been verified and has run successfully, it goes on the list with its documentation. Next time, buyers can order it without a new approval round. This speeds up procurement and keeps quality teams in control.
A worked example from a bottling plant
A bottling plant had a planned overhaul on a Krones filler and a Kelvion pasteuriser. The OEM quote covered all parts with an eight-week lead time.
The maintenance and quality teams reviewed the list together. Product-contact valve parts stayed OEM. Gaskets, seals, rollers and bearings were sourced as certified alternatives with material certificates and inspection records. One discontinued control module was remanufactured.
The overhaul went ahead on schedule, the total parts cost was lower, and every part arrived with documentation that passed the next audit.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing on price alone without checking documentation and verification.
- Using alternatives during the warranty period without checking the contract.
- Accepting parts without material certificates for product-contact applications.
- Treating every part the same instead of deciding route by criticality.
- Not recording which route was used — you need traceability for audits.
Key takeaways
- OEM, certified alternative and remanufactured parts each have a clear role.
- Use OEM for validated product-contact and safety-critical parts and during warranty.
- Use certified alternatives for well-specified wear parts and long OEM lead times.
- Use remanufacturing for discontinued or expensive assemblies.
- Always ask for identification, material certificates, inspection records and traceability.