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Improving efficiency: addressing supply chain issues in the maintenance department
In the modern industrial environment, effective maintenance management is critical to ensure business continuity. However, the inevitable wear and tear on equipment and machinery can lead to unplanned downtime, which is often exacerbated by supply chain issues. This article dives deeper into the underexposed, but substantial, area where supply chain interruptions affect maintenance departments.
Insights from 2020: A Disruptive Year
The year 2020 acted as a wake-up call for the impact of supply chain issues on operational and maintenance processes. The COVID-19 pandemic brought global disruptions and revealed the vulnerability of complex global supply chain networks.
Companies faced the challenge of meeting customer demand as fluctuations in supply, production and distribution caused a domino effect. While these disruptions certainly impacted operations and production, the effect on other business areas, particularly maintenance, often remained underreported.
Analysis of risks and problems
Even before 2020, supply chain issues were relevant in the maintenance sector. Studies conducted in 2017 showed that integration of maintenance and repair services with supply chain management was often inadequate. The impact was felt in nearly half of the organizations that exceeded their maintenance budgets.
Many of these problems were due to outdated processes and quality deficiencies in data management. Improving these aspects is a key to addressing maintenance risks in the supply chain.
Optimizing supplier management
One critical area where supply chain issues make their impact is supplier management. Dependence on a single supplier can make the supply chain vulnerable, as was evident during events such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
In maintenance, this risk translates into long downtimes when critical equipment fails and specific spare parts are urgently needed. Addressing this risk begins with a thorough evaluation of critical equipment and its suppliers. Diversifying suppliers and establishing strategic agreements with them can make the supply chain more stable.
When using multiple suppliers is not an option, alternative approaches should be considered, such as pre-ordering spare parts or building significant inventory on site. Customized machine parts and 3D printing can also be considered to minimize risk.
Effective inventory management
Inaccurate inventory management has a knock-on effect in maintenance. Poorly managed inventories lead to extended repair times, increased frustration, and inefficient searches for spare parts.
To solve these problems, inventory tracking and management software is a valuable asset. An efficient system ensures that the maintenance department has access to needed parts without delay. It can also facilitate accurate replenishment of critical spare parts.
Predicting maintenance and spare parts demand
Maintenance managers can take their strategies a step further by focusing on predictive maintenance (PdM) and condition-based maintenance (CBM). These approaches enable operators to anticipate equipment problems and take timely action before problems arise.
PdM and CBM offer operators additional time to prepare their supply chains and order spare parts, reducing the impact of supply chain issues and improving operational profits.
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