Maintenance is a key productivity driver for manufacturing industry, and one of the pillars of competitiveness. In this article, we have compiled a list of topics that we think maintenance managers or anyone interested in developing maintenance should pay particular attention to in 2024.
This article is based on our research, discussions with our networks during the year, and data collected by the maintenance association Promaint Ry at the beginning of 2023 (n=110).
The core of maintenance consists of the company’s own maintenance and service staff, the production staff, and any maintenance subcontractors. Skilled and motivated staff are a crucial part of a company’s strategy and success.
Trends that affect the workforce in general are reflected in the way maintenance workers feel about their work, or the expectations they have of their employer. The demand for flexibility keeps appearing as staff assess their work-life balance. At the same time, technology reduces the need for manual work, creating a demand for workers who are skilled with a wide range of technologies. In maintenance, the increasing complexity of electrical and automation systems in particular places demands on skills, and training in the field is not always able to adapt to new needs quickly and effectively enough.
Different maintenance tasks require different skills, and the right roles allow each team member to focus on their strengths and the tasks they do best. Clear responsibilities, for example in work management and work planning, ensure the smoothest daily workflow in maintenance, and significantly improve the overall efficiency of the maintenance organization.
As the amount of specialist work increases, the need for skills in different systems grows. Simultaneously, the number of traditional maintenance tasks is increasing as production facilities become older, but the number of workers decreases as the sector and the attractiveness of the work decreases.
In 2024, sustainability will no longer be just a buzzword – it will also be a key focus area in maintenance. Environmentally friendly practices, such as energy efficiency and waste management, will be at the heart of decision-making. Maintenance must be sustainable and responsible, and organizations are expected to invest more in renewable energy solutions and ecological materials. Process design and implementation, on the other hand, is more focused on minimizing waste, and optimizing resource use. Sustainability is not only an ethical obligation, but also a means to improve the efficiency and reputation of operations.
In industrial maintenance, safety is also a fundamental principle that strongly guides operations. There is no need to search for its meaning, as health and safety are essential areas of sustainability and human life. More attention will be paid to the training and working conditions of maintenance staff. This not only contributes to the well-being of workers, but also reduces accidents and improves maintenance efficiency.
There is more of an effort to repair and refurbish than to replace. More attention is being paid to the maintainability of machinery and equipment right from the design stage.
In 2024, industrial maintenance will take another step closer to smart solutions and artificial intelligence. In the future, AI helps improve predictability, and reduce unforeseen equipment failures. Equipment health can be monitored in real time, and AI can analyze this data to detect deviations from normal operation. In the future, machines may be able to optimize their performance, and inform you when maintenance is needed.
Before AI can be deployed, it is essential to build a strong foundation for operations, both at the system level and in commonly agreed operating models. Maintenance AI solutions rely mainly on machine learning and data analytics. It is therefore crucial to understand that preparation starts with ensuring that sufficient real-time, high-quality data is available. High-quality data is the key to enabling the success of AI. Careful groundwork ensures that the use of AI really adds significant value to operations.
We’ve put together a maintenance manager’s checklist of topics we think you should pay particular attention to in 2024. We’ve listed issues relevant to the development of maintenance, such as artificial intelligence, maintenance management system, and KPIs. Download the guide.
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