MAINTENANCE A COMPETITIVE FACTOR IN A FIRM'S BUSINESS STRATEGY
Managers seldom view the maintenance function as a competitive factor in their firm's business strategy. Nevertheless, as the U.S. moves towards just-in-time (JIT) and computer integrated manufacturing (CIM), an effective maintenance management program becomes crucial to a firm's competitiveness.
So says Tracy D. Rishel, associate professor of production and operations management at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA. She researches the impact of incorporating alternative scheduled maintenance polices into a material requirements planning (MRP) system.
"Typically, production departments do not readily release equipment for scheduled maintenance so a firm's maintenance policy may consist of only emergency maintenance," says Rishel. "A firm will benefit fully from JIT or CIM only if it consciously plans and controls its maintenance activities."
Unanticipated equipment downtime requires the firm to reschedule production which may result in production delays, missed delivery dates and dissatisfied customers.
"In the current competitive environment of short lead times, on-time deliveries and responsiveness to the customer, a firm cannot leave equipment availability and reliability to chance. By planning and controlling scheduled maintenance activities and providing an allowance for emergency maintenance in the production schedule, a firm is capable of providing its customers with the best service possible." ###
Editors: You can reach Rishel at 717-372-4448 (office). Rishel has completed two studies on the topic. Please contact Steve Infanti of Dick Jones Communications at 814-867- 1963 if you would like copies.
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