The purchasing and management of production-critical spares is a vital function in any manufacturing business. If managed correctly, it offers major opportunities for companies to reduce cost, enhance processes and ultimately deliver best practice. This paper looks at how a collaborative approach involving both procurement professionals and key production and maintenance colleagues can deliver major benefits to both operational effectiveness and profitability.
Executive Summary
The purchasing of spares for the daily maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of production and manufacturing equipment is often a complex, time and resource consuming activity for most organisations. It is one which is critical to maintaining continuity of production and avoiding costly downtime.
An efficient MRO sourcing operation can provide major cost savings through demand reduction, reduced inventory, production and maintenance improvements. However, it must be recognised that the procurement professional cannot achieve this alone, but only with the support and buy-in from engineering and operations colleagues through a collaborative effort that actively engages all those involved in the procurement and management of maintenance spares.
