operational excellence

by Marc Begijn

After 48 years, Volvo Cars Gent received an award from the Belgian Maintenance Association (BEMAS) for the continuous efforts in its maintenance department. As the maintenance manager, I received the title of “Maintenance Manager of the Year 2013.” Here is why our maintenance achievements attracted the attention of the non-profit organization for maintenance professionals.

by Ward Bond

In the mind of an average layperson, reliability is most likely a concept comprised of the predictable, continuous function of a system or repeatable action. When I joined my company’s reliability team, I learned that the reliability of an asset can impact our company’s overall operations. Our Greenfield, Indiana, site is made up of multiple business units, occupying approximately one million square feet. Each business unit has a group of functions and a unique list of support requirements that are critical to its continuous operation. Our reliability team supports the function of these critical systems by working with our shops and craftspeople to facilitate those needs. As a layperson myself, it is because I am part of that group that I have really begun to understand what reliability truly is. I have also learned that the reliability of critical systems can be very different in scope, yet have the same expectation of reliable performance. It is with this concept in mind that we developed a process for managing the reliability of contracted services.