Preventive Maintenance Is Not About Fixing Problems

Preventive maintenance is not about fixing problems. Its focus is on preventing those problems from ever happening in the first place. It includes activities such as cleaning, lubrication, adjustments, repairs, and parts replacement. Each of these activities is performed in order to keep the equipment running in top condition and to prevent downtime and reactive fixes. 

When our company was founded in 1982, our primary focus was on preventative maintenance. Over the years, as internal maintenance departments grew, the need for outsourcing declined. However, we are beginning to see the trend revert. 

As companies continue to downsize due to the pandemic, it will be essential for maintenance departments to continue to service their equipment. Many companies will need to hire a specialized and experienced team that can come in and do everything in a few days for way less than hiring full time staff. 

Here are a few reminders about the advantages of preventative maintenance. 

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE CAN:

1) Reduced Downtime

When it comes to production, the phrase ‘time is money’ rings true. Every time machinery goes down for maintenance, you’re losing money both from employee wages (since employees have to wait for the equipment to be fixed) and from products (which cannot be produced when the equipment goes down). 

2) Increase Operational Efficiency

When machines run more efficiently, they do not have to use as much energy and resources. This means cost savings as well as improving your environmental footprint. 

3) Reduce the Risk of Expensive Reactive Maintenance

When something breaks unexpectedly, the costs are high. Urgent or weekend repairs will increase your repair costs. 

4) Increase the Life of Equipment

In addition to reducing downtime and expensive fixes, preventive maintenance will also increase the life of your equipment. 

5) Improved Customer Service

Customers are putting their trust and confidence in the goods or services you provide. They expect their orders will be delivered on time, and delays because of machinery failures compromises that trust and confidence. When you can consistently deliver quality on-time goods to your customers, you will end up with happier customers and return orders. 

SOURCE: https://www.micromain.com/how-preventive-maintenance-saves-money/

When I was around 12 years old, I was hanging around the maintenance shop on a regular basis.  By the time I was 16, I was working every day after school and most weekends as an official employee of my dad’s company.  Some of the first jobs I was assigned were preventative maintenance tasks. Not only was the importance instilled in me on my first day of official work, but every new employee we hired had to understand the importance and long-term financial benefits and safety advantages of keeping machinery in excellent working condition.  

Upon my father’s retirement in 2005, I purchased the company.   From my first job of changing oil in our company trucks to last week’s job of installing a large production line, preventative care of our equipment and our customer’s equipment is a priority at Associated Industrial Riggers Corp.  As we navigate challenging times, make sure you have an experienced partner to support you and do not neglect the importance of preventative maintenance. 

Jerry Sanders, Chairman & CEO