By Andrew Parker
Operations have a lot to juggle to keep their material handling equipment running at peak levels, considering everything involved with routine and preventative maintenance strategies, repairs and upgrades.
In addition to maintaining efficient daily performance, operations in every industry are constantly seeking ways to reduce operational costs and improve production. This is where professional consultations provide immense value.
Experts who know the type of equipment at your operation better than anyone can deliver a tailored plan that optimizes equipment performance for the long haul, saving operations significant time and resources.
What Makes Material Transfer Equipment Consulting a Vital Investment?
Capital equipment performance dictates whether your operation plans to expand, take on larger capacities or give a little TLC to existing systems. However, actualizing long-term, reliable performance often depends on factors that aren’t readily apparent.
“The right consulting services should always be tailored to your objectives, facility layout and equipment,” said Jay Houghton, vice president of engineering at CDM Systems Inc. “The goal is to identify specific trouble areas, process inefficiencies, and application challenges unique to your operation – some of which you may not even know about.”
The results should include equipment maintenance recommendations and growth planning guidance that can streamline everything from performance improvements to cost savings and resource optimization.
Equipment analysis from experienced professionals who know how to get the most out of every component provides crucial benefits for your operation, such as:
- Improved efficiency. Tailored recommendations help identify costly production bottlenecks.
- Reduced downtime. Proactive analysis helps identify trouble spots and prevent equipment failures.
- Fewer expenses. Consulting can improve system performance and reduce maintenance costs.
- Assured compliance. The proper application guidance helps ensure compliance with all regulations.
- Equipment longevity. Thorough consultation helps identify ways to extend equipment lifespans through strategic maintenance and component upgrade plans.
- Maximize ROI. Insights and analysis to ensure optimal equipment usage for the application to maximize your investment.
“Bulk material handling equipment isn’t just a bunch of big, dumb machines,” Houghton added. “That’s why high-level analyses aren’t favorable. Consultants should be ready to apply specific engineering and application expertise for the facility, from concept to design, development, installation, and preventative maintenance.”
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to improving heavy-duty equipment performance for any industry.
“Specific guidance for the operation is critical and the key to optimizing for long-term, sustainable performance and dependable production,” said Houghton.
Rather than second-guessing a maintenance strategy or piecemealing systems to get further down the road, professional consulting can pinpoint problem areas ahead of time and deliver data-driven analysis unique to the operation that will help increase production, lower the cost of ownership, maintain compliance, and maximize efficiency.
Andrew Parker is president of CDM Systems Inc. He has more than 20 years of experience in the bulk material handling industry. He oversees operations, including conveyor design and development. He can be reached at [email protected]. To learn more, visit cdmsys.com/consulting.