Spare Parts Management

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Assessing Your Storeroom

The first step to improving the spare parts and storeroom process

Assessment.jpgKnowing what the best practices are in a storeroom or spare parts management process is not enough.  The best practices need to implemented, and typically it can’t just be implemented right away.  The level of resources, the ability of people to change all prevents the immediate implementation.  In addition, not every organization will be at the same starting point or want to go to the same level of maturity.  This is where an assessment comes in.

An assessment is defined as “the […]

By |2019-04-19T15:49:54-04:00December 12th, 2016|Spare Parts Management|Comments Off on Assessing Your Storeroom

Optimizing Your Storeroom

Using a Kaizen Approach to Improve Your Storeroom

game plan game plan

No storeroom is perfect, well at least of those I have seen.  The process of improving is never ending.  A common term for this process of continuous improvement is Kaizen.   The Kaizen activity is often seen on the plant floor, either the form of a blitz, in which a tremendous amount of resources are thrown at an issue or an area.  The other is a systematic approach, in which a small amount of improvement is achieved each day.

These same approaches can be […]

The Inner Workings of a Storeroom

What Processes are Required to Make Your Storeroom Run Smoothly

qtq80-UG9PgzIf you have invested the time to layout the storeroom correctly, and gather the right data, you are on the right track to a successful storeroom.  However, if you don’t take the time to map the various processes in the storeroom, and hold staff to those processes, the work is done so far will be a waste.

When processes are mapped and responsibilities defined, the staff know who does what when.  This eliminates unnecessary communication and work, enabling more time to do what is required. […]

By |2019-04-19T15:49:55-04:00November 28th, 2016|Basic Spare Parts Management, Spare Parts Management|Comments Off on The Inner Workings of a Storeroom

Developing a Stocking Strategy

A Risk-Based Approach to Spares Management

I want you to image a storeroom.  Really, close your eyes and think about a storeroom with;
  • No access control
  • Stocking 2 years worth of electrical boxes
  • No naming system for parts
  • A kitting shelf with parts received 3 years ago
  • Parts in stock from equipment that was removed 8 years prior
  • V-belts dry rotted on the shelf, corroded valves, and bearings out of their packaging
  • Anyone could stock a part in the control room

Does this sound familiar?  Unfortunately, it is all too common in […]

By |2019-04-19T15:49:55-04:00November 21st, 2016|Basic Spare Parts Management, Spare Parts Management|Comments Off on Developing a Stocking Strategy

The Importance of Master Data in Spare Parts Management

Enabling Storeroom Success Through Data

DataHow often does your facility run out of raw materials?  Chances are it is not very often, if ever.  Why is this?  It may be because the organization has invested heavily in gathering the right data, analyzing and developing contracts for the materials.  This prior work ensures a steady supply of materials.

So why is it that within the same organization there is virtually no data to support the spare parts?  Not having a spare part can dramatically impact an organization in the same way as not having raw […]

By |2019-04-19T15:49:55-04:00November 14th, 2016|Adherence to Standards, Basic Spare Parts Management, Data Standards, Spare Parts Management|Comments Off on The Importance of Master Data in Spare Parts Management