How to prepare for post-COVID success

Following a year of global pandemic restrictions, the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the food production industry are starting to come into focus. Months of uncertainty and disruption have led many companies to re-examine their manufacturing resilience, by exploring new solutions for effective equipment maintenance and aftermarket service.

Smarter aftermarket service will ensure manufacturing resilience

Raj Singh, group aftermarket & services manager at tna, explains the rising importance of implementing an effective preventative maintenance approach, and how new developments in aftermarket services are offering manufacturers innovative new ways to increase uptime and profitability.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT MAINTENANCE STRATEGY

The first step towards shoring-up the resilience of any production line is selecting the most appropriate form of maintenance. There are many methods producers can employ, ranging from reactive or corrective maintenance to proactive maintenance, which involves taking action early-on to manage factors that can degrade equipment performance. The preventative maintenance method centres around the carefully planned monitoring of equipment, regardless of its current status, to reduce the risk of unscheduled downtime or unexpected faults. Though a little more complex and time consuming than other approaches, the cost-savings offered by a preventative maintenance programme make it the ideal choice for most food producers.

THE VITAL ROLE OF AFTERMARKET SERVICES

From spare parts supplies, to training, technical advice and repairs - an effective aftermarket service offering includes everything manufacturers need to keep lines running at peak performance. These post-sale services are crucial, because even with the most sophisticated maintenance schedule, unplanned downtime cannot be avoided completely. Before implementing a new servicing strategy, producers must first ensure their original equipment manufacturer (OEM) provides a comprehensive aftermarket service package that proactively supports their operations with both routine servicing and ways to improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

Combine preventative maintenance and aftermarket service for complete manufacturing resilience

1. Training, expert advice and strategy development

To establish a successful preventative maintenance strategy, food producers need comprehensive training from their OEM, covering aspects such as: which factors to monitor during regular inspections, how often they need to be conducted and by whom. Aftermarket training sessions like these ensure operators can create a preventative maintenance schedule and resolve simple issues in-house, though they must be supplemented by a 24/7 customer service offering that ensures producers can access help quickly in the event of more serious faults.

2. Replacement parts and stock management

For preventative maintenance to be effective, producers need to keep a supply of essential materials close to hand. Having the right stock of genuine spare parts readily available lets producers avoid costly downtime, while essential parts are ordered. This also helps save storage space – freeing up more room to expand lines and profit margins. Given its vital importance, spare parts provision and best practice advice on stock keeping should be included as standard as part of a high-quality aftermarket service offering.

3. Data analysis, repairs and digitalisation

More frequently, food producers and OEMs are recognising the potential of advanced digital technologies to revolutionise the way lines are operated and serviced. Beyond enabling more efficient maintenance and repairs for example, the data gathered during scheduled preventative maintenance checks can also be used in combination with digital aftermarket services, such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital twins and machine learning, to proactively monitor and optimise line performance.

PREDICTING FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

Over the course of the pandemic, digitallyfocused maintenance strategies and aftermarket services have moved from emerging trends to industry standards in a matter of months. Going forward, the focus will likely shift even more to preventative maintenance, data gathering and line optimisation - helping food producers keep their operations agile and resilient, whatever the future may bring.

“At tna, as part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing our aftermarket service, we have harnessed the power of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology to develop tna remote assist – an on-demand virtual repair and advice service that allows users to connect with expert technicians and receive tailored support - wherever they are in the world, in complete compliance with COVID restrictions,” Singh explains. •

Tna - www.tnasolutions.com