What the Emperor’s New Clothes Says to Plant Reliability and Maintenance Professionals
Torbjörn Idhammar, IDCON INC
Let us start this column with a short version of an old story.
Once upon a time, an emperor was offered some fantastic clothes by traveling tailors. They told the emperor that their clothes were the most exclusive in the world — so exclusive that only wise people saw the clothes. The emperor accepted the tailors’ offer; they took measurements and cut the expensive fabrics. When the emperor tried the clothes on, neither he nor any of his advisors and servants could see the clothes, but no one said anything for obvious reasons.Â
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Creating a Culture of Manufacturing Reliability
To create a reliable manufacturing culture, you must agree to work in a close partnership between operations and maintenance, including stores and engineering. This should start with a common manufacturing mission that clearly expresses this. Then you need to design and implement all work management processes with the agreed upon mission statement as a guideline.
To create a reliable manufacturing culture, you must agree to work in a close partnership between operations and maintenance, including stores and engineering. This should start with a common manufacturing mission that clearly expresses this. Then you need to design and implement all work management processes with the agreed upon mission statement as a guideline.

How to Optimize Big Data in Factory Maintenance
If you work in any aspect of manufacturing today, there is no doubt you are aware of a significant revolution underway. It is a new era for the industry, dramatically evident when you take a look around any reasonably maintained and updated manufacturing facility. What is driving this revolution, albeit a slow industry shift from a machinery-based environment to an information-based one? Quite simply, it’s technology and the big data that results from it.
If you work in any aspect of manufacturing today, there is no doubt you are aware of a significant revolution underway. It is a new era for the industry, dramatically evident when you take a look around any reasonably maintained and updated manufacturing facility. What is driving this revolution, albeit a slow industry shift from a machinery-based environment to an information-based one? Quite simply, it’s technology and the big data that results from it.

Shutdown and Turnaround in 6 Phases
A plant shutdown and turnaround is defined as a major plant maintenance shutdown, typically involving the entire plant or multiple areas and lasts for several days (or if not properly planned and scheduled can last longer than expected). Some organizations have both Major (more than 24 hours) and minor (24 hours or less). In many cases, minor shutdowns can have a bigger impact on lost production. Â
A plant shutdown and turnaround is defined as a major plant maintenance shutdown, typically involving the entire plant or multiple areas and lasts for several days (or if not properly planned and scheduled can last longer than expected). Some organizations have both Major (more than 24 hours) and minor (24 hours or less). In many cases, minor shutdowns can have a bigger impact on lost production. Â
Navigating the AI Frontier: Balancing Innovation and Caution in Maintenance
Today, as we navigate the AI frontier in maintenance, we face challenges on a grander scale. The potential for AI to revolutionize maintenance practices is immense — from predictive maintenance that anticipates equipment failures before they occur, to AI-assisted diagnostics that can rapidly identify complex issues. Yet, with this great potential comes great responsibility.
Today, as we navigate the AI frontier in maintenance, we face challenges on a grander scale. The potential for AI to revolutionize maintenance practices is immense — from predictive maintenance that anticipates equipment failures before they occur, to AI-assisted diagnostics that can rapidly identify complex issues. Yet, with this great potential comes great responsibility.

A Framework for Achieving Best Practice in Maintenance
This paper outlines the key factors that you should consider when establishing a Maintenance Change program in your organization. In doing so, it provides a framework which you can apply to increase the chances of success in your change efforts. The paper draws heavily on Price Waterhouse experience in implementing Maintenance change at many major organizations throughout WA, as well as our international experience in implementing change as articulated in our book "Better Change."
This paper outlines the key factors that you should consider when establishing a Maintenance Change program in your organization. In doing so, it provides a framework which you can apply to increase the chances of success in your change efforts. The paper draws heavily on Price Waterhouse experience in implementing Maintenance change at many major organizations throughout WA, as well as our international experience in implementing change as articulated in our book "Better Change."
Don’t Digitize Chaos — Fix It First
Digital maintenance promises speed, insight, and control. But what happens when the foundation it builds on — your asset data, your workflows, your program logic — is already in disarray? You can start by the taking the Maintenance Structure Assessment here or read through and use the printed copy below.
Digital maintenance promises speed, insight, and control. But what happens when the foundation it builds on — your asset data, your workflows, your program logic — is already in disarray? You can start by the taking the Maintenance Structure Assessment here or read through and use the printed copy below.
