It illustrates the links of management commitment, departments and facilities. Varied in method with ample flow charts explained in detail and differing processes to reduce downtime of equipment and manage inventory and supplies, this book is a real winner.

Maintenance Storerooms and MRO Made Simple (ISBN 978-0-9853619-4-5) can be purchased at: www.mro-zone.com

By reviewing the recommended procedures and implementing the action plans provided, any company that maintains equipment and purchases supplies or parts will benefit from this book. Managers of equipment or supplies and warehouses, production line personnel, sales and customer service groups, purchasing teams and buyers, comptrollers and logistic teams will discover clearly illustrated and specific steps, goals and flow charts.

It is a straightforward approach that helps in understanding the complexities of all five areas of running a maintenance parts, repair parts and operating supplies storeroom (MRO) by addressing management of purchasing, work process flows, inventory, storeroom and supplies. The idea is to put reliability first in the management of a parts system to reduce downtime, store quality parts, store only what is needed and to remove parts no longer usable or required. The storeroom goal is to control costs and be an asset.

Mr. DeWald’s recommendations cover precise descriptions of the critical success factors in a storeroom that support maintenance and operations. It makes sense out of proper cash flow needed for inventories and parts. This guide covers the integration of a computer system for parts management.

Additionally, Mr. DeWald covers proper procedures to facilitate and plan for kitting and determining points of failure. Detailed methods to set up and manage a storeroom are delineated by key performance indicators (KPIs). Action steps for scheduling, training and refreshing staff on parts management functions, as well as visible methods of layout and design, are clearly explained.

Work process flows are identified and generic flow charts provided are guidelines for establishing the optimal workflow techniques. Employing new workflow targets will probably reduce cycle time and cost.

Mr. DeWald also explains different methods to quantitate inventory. Carrying costs are clarified through precise percentage ranges. Steps for a conversion from an expense to an asset inventory are conveyed through ABC value management.

The book demystifies and offers systems for difficult decisions, including reducing storeroom inventory, applying minimum and maximum requirements for different types of parts and supplies (toilet paper anyone?), assigning a value and required inventory for components, deciding what is obsolete and salvaging methods.

Techniques are illustrated for managing suppliers through a rating system to uncover the best sources of quality parts, service and timely carrier delivery. Maintenance, repair and operations departments may follow the author’s specific recommendations to base purchases on reliability information, such as procedures to prolong a part’s life through maintenance tactics in the storeroom and methods to determine the point of failure for equipment.

This book demonstrates that proper management of a storeroom is cost effective, provides improved parts management and delivers optimum results as evidenced by meeting customer deadlines with quality products – a win-win for any company.