Downtime interrupts production, delays shipments, raises costs and reduces revenue. In the worst case, market share is lost and, in today's competitive environment, may never be recovered. The key to reducing downtime is equipment maintenance. But maintenance isn't easy. Worse yet, maintenance often gets no respect from management!
Many managers wrongly believe that maintenance is only pumping grease into bearings or filling oil cups. Although the importance of maintenance varies based on the type of production operation, to be effective in any setting it must be considered a skill-based, professional undertaking that requires knowledge, experience, good judgment and wisdom.