Preventive maintenance helps maximize the equipment’s lifetime value and return on investment (ROI), as well as to mitigate the risk of unplanned downtime.
Investing in automated material handling technologies without planning for ongoing maintenance costs is like buying a new car and never changing the oil – without maintenance your investment will go up in smoke!
Companies investing in automated material handling equipment for their distribution center, warehouse, manufacturing facility or other operation don’t always think beyond the sale price and anticipated benefits of higher productivity, increased throughput, reduced reliance on labor, better accuracy and more when signing the purchase contract. Preventive maintenance helps ensure your new investment remains in peak operating condition for as long as possible to maximize the equipment’s lifetime value and return on investment (ROI), as well as to mitigate the risk of unplanned downtime.
The costs of NOT planning and budgeting for a regular, ongoing preventive maintenance program can impact a facility’s operational budget when correcting issues on an emergency or corrective basis. These unplanned costs lead to lost labor and revenue:
- Overtime pay
- Delayed shipment costs
- Late delivery charges
- Rush or overnight shipping costs
Additionally, by planning for routine maintenance activities, downtime can be scheduled to minimize the operational impact and inconvenience—as well as significantly reduce the risk of a complete an unanticipated failure.
Lastly, new equipment comes standard with 2 years of preventative maintenance. Failure to execute these preventative maintenance can void the warranty in some cases.