August 28, 2025
Beoco Ltd v Alfa Laval Co Ltd [1993] EWCA Civ 22 (21 December 1993)
Facts The plaintiff, Beoco Ltd., purchased a second-hand plate heat exchanger from the first defendant, Alfa Laval Co Ltd., for use in their lard production process. Alfa Laval had previously acquired the machine from the second defendants, J.M.L. Realisations Ltd. The sale from Alfa Laval to Beoco was on an ‘as seen’ basis. During pre-contractual negotiations, Alfa Laval provided Beoco with service records for the machine which they had received from J.M.L. These records were incomplete and omitted a crucial report about a hazardous pressure test conducted in 1983 which had revealed defects. After installation, the machine exploded, causing significant
