Pros and cons of buying OEM versus generic parts for your drycleaning or industrial and commercial laundry equipment 

Written by Barry Victor, PROS Parts Founder and President  

When it comes to buying industrial laundry parts, it is worth considering both generic and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts.  

PROS can help you navigate the differences and give you our historical perspective on both options so you can determine what the best solution is for you.  

OEM Parts: 

• Quality Assurance: OEM parts are the parts that the engineers who designed the equipment have chosen based on their experience with price, quality and availability.  This usually means they are designed to meet the exact specifications and quality standards required for the function of the machine and have been thoroughly tested.  

• Compatibility: These parts are specifically engineered to fit and function perfectly with the equipment they are intended for. This reduces the risk of operational issues or damage. 

• Warranty: OEM parts often come with a warranty, providing assurance that if something goes wrong, you can get support or replacements. 

• Cost: OEM parts tend to be more expensive than generic parts. 

Generic Parts: 

• Cost-Effectiveness: Generic parts are usually less expensive than OEM parts. They are made by competitors of the brand that was chosen by the OEM engineers.   

• Quality Variability: The quality of generic parts can vary significantly. Some may be made to high standards and function well, while others might not meet the same quality benchmarks as OEM parts. This is where you want to work with a resource such as PROS Parts who can give you our experience over time based on customer feedback.  

• Compatibility: While many generic parts are designed to be compatible with the original OEM parts often described as Form, Fit, and Function replacements, there is a small risk that they might not be suitable in every situation.  This can sometimes lead to issues with performance, longevity or even the ability to fit in the space of the original OEM part. Here is another area where you want to work with a resource such as PROS Parts to help make sure you are ordering the right part for your needs.  

• Warranty and Support: Generic parts may come with limited or no warranty. If there are problems, it might be harder to get support or replacements. 

Making a Decision: 

• Assess the Importance: If the equipment is critical to your operations, investing in OEM parts might be worth the extra cost for guaranteed reliability and support. 

• Budget Considerations: If you are looking to reduce costs and are willing to accept some risk, high-quality generic parts might be a viable option. 

• Research: Look for reviews or recommendations for generic parts, and ensure they are from reputable manufacturers to minimize risks. 

• Availability: On occasion, the availability of a generic part may be better which can be a priority concern when equipment is not operational.   

Ultimately, the choice between OEM and generic parts will depend on your priorities regarding cost, quality, reliability and availability. 

In many cases, we assume that the OEM part is better, but the following outlines an example where a generic part is the better option. Belts and ribbons for ironers and folders are items that are often better sourced as a generic. Manufacturers of generic ribbons frequently use exactly the same materials as the OEM.  The only thing generic ribbons might lack is the OEM brand name printed on them.  If you or your customer are willing to accept no brand name on the ribbon, there can be substantial savings.  Since these smaller manufacturers specialize in ribbon manufacturing, they can make ribbons far quicker than the OEM manufacturer. 

Contact PROS Parts to talk through your needs and what the best option is between OEM or generic parts for your next purchase.  

About Barry Victor
Barry founded PROS Parts in the spring of 1988. Before starting PROS, Barry worked in the sales and engineering departments of Vic Manufacturing, one of the largest manufacturers of dry cleaning equipment in the U.S. At Vic, Barry launched a parts sales division that supported dry cleaning equipment imported from Italy and Germany. In its early years, PROS manufactured dry cleaning machinery and then evolved into an industrial and commercial laundry equipment and drycleaning operations parts supplier. Barry lives in Plymouth, MN with his wife. He has two sons, a stepson, a stepdaughter and his dog, Sora. 

Barry can be reached at 763-231-7379 or barryv@prosparts.com.