Improving the efficiency of repair departments as a key element of the production process

Abstract

In the past, maintenance and repair (MRO) was seen by many as a “necessary evil,” an activity that cost money but provided nothing in return. Twenty or more years ago, maintenance workers were among the lowest-paid employees in full-service manufacturing plants, even though their jobs required the most technical skill, knowledge, and specialized training. Initially, repairs were carried out as necessary and when equipment broke down, but the more extensively the same type of equipment was used, the more data on failures could be collected. This made it possible to improve the maintenance system - recommendations appeared on the frequency of repair work. In modern enterprises, maintenance and repair is recognized as a key element of the production process, which allows minimizing costs, increasing equipment uptime, increasing productivity, and identifying and eliminating losses.